Anxiety in Marriage:
How Counseling May Help

You may not wish to underestimate the power or effects of anxiety; a severe case may threaten even a harmonious marriage. If you or your spouse is suffering from anxiety, the other party may become the receiver of misdirected anger or mistrust. Without seeking professional help and treatment, it may strain your relationship and your anxiety may take a downward spiral.

The Lurking Past

If you have experienced a traumatic event you may find that memories, thoughts and feelings of the event still impact your daily life. Distressing memories and emotions may erupt with an emotionally-charged trigger. If you have been unknowingly journeying with anxiety and you have not yet spotted the signs, the symptoms may come back with a vengeance if/when you experience a trauma trigger.

Anxiety may be triggered by a sad experience from the past that you or your spouse is trying to forget. Despite your best efforts, this unpleasant experience may reemerge because of a stressor or event. An ailment or death in the family, financial problems or other traumatic experience can awaken these old feelings that you or your spouse thought were long gone.

When a Spouse Experiences Anxiety

Anxiety can strain even the most loving relationships. The spouse experiencing anxiety may manifest behaviors that can hurt, offend or even abuse the other party without intending to. When anxiety is troubling a spouse, the day to day domestic and marital concerns such as; parenting, finances, intimacy and life outside the home may appear larger and may, therefore, be more difficult to resolve together.

Anxiety can potentially make a person more irritable and quick to anger. Thus, even regular occurrences within the home may cause the anxious spouse to react differently. These reactions may drive a wedge into the bond causing intense arguments or indifference.

Help from a Therapist and Marriage Counselor

With a past history of anxiety, you or your spouse may be vulnerable to relapse. Inasmuch as you cannot always control everything in life, it is possible that a distressing emotion or trauma can stir your old pains and vulnerabilities. When this happens, it can be important that both of you seek greater understanding. Under this situation, seeing a therapist may help both of you.

Anxiety is powerful but you are not powerless. If you are in the midst of a marital conflict related to symptoms of anxiety, you and your spouse may need help from a marriage counselor. The needs of the couple can be addressed with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC. Licensed, independently contracted therapists are available to help you and your spouse battle anxiety as a team. Increase your chances for success and call CCS today to schedule your first appointment.

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