What Is Dating Someone with Anxiety Like?

Written by: Ankita Kathad – MA (Clinical Psychology)
Last updated date : March 22, 2023

If you are dating someone with anxiety, you may have many questions. You may wonder how you can help your partner. The prevalence of anxiety in today’s population is high; therefore, it is not uncommon if your boyfriend has anxiety. This article deals with what it is like dating someone with anxiety.

If your boyfriend has anxiety, you may wonder how life with him will be? You may worry about your future with him. You may think how can you help him. All these concerns are legit. To address these concerns, it is important to understand the condition first. For many people anxiety is just ‘all in the head’. However, anxiety is not as simple as people make it sound. The first step toward helping someone is to understand what they go through. Let us understand anxiety a little more in-depth.


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Chapter 1:

What Is Anxiety?

Worry is a part of life. We all get a little worried at some point in life. It is absolutely normal to feel nervous about going for a job interview, moving to a new place, or giving a stage performance. However, when your worry and nervousness stop you from performing well, it is a problem. Anxiety refers to fear or worrying in response to anticipation of future events. It is our body’s natural reaction to any kind of stress.

When a person suffers from recurring worry about future events, it can be termed an anxiety disorder. Here are the symptoms of this disorder:

  1. Physical symptoms include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating. Moreover, a person can experience nausea, diarrhea, or stomach ache.
  2. Some people can experience difficulty concentrating. While some will want to withdraw or escape.
  3. Many people will find it difficult to fall asleep.
  4. Some people can also experience obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors.

Chapter 2:

Prevalence of Anxiety

When you are dating someone with anxiety, you may feel lost and alone. It can be sad to see your partner suffer. Yet it is important to know that you are not alone. It is important to note that anxiety is very common. All of us experience some amount of it in our lifetime. Moreover, there are ways to cure it.

So if your boyfriend has anxiety, do not be alarmed. Having anxiety is not a sign of weakness. It is a perfectly normal reaction. There are many ways to manage anxiety. Additionally, having a friend who can support and help in relaxation is very beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety.

This condition is often genetic. Therefore the notion that worry is all in the head is incorrect. Some people have a genetic predisposition for anxiety.

Chapter 3:

Dating Someone with Anxiety- How Can You Help?

When your boyfriend is having anxiety, you may want to help desperately. However, you may be at a loss if you haven’t experienced the disorder yourself. Often people make the mistake of minimizing the pain. They dismiss the sufferer simply because they don’t understand what it is like to have the condition. It is very important to be mindful of certain things when you are dating someone with anxiety. Here are some points that can help you if your boyfriend has anxiety or if you are dating someone with anxiety.

So if your boyfriend has anxiety, do not be alarmed. Having anxiety is not a sign of weakness. It is a perfectly normal reaction. There are many ways to manage anxiety. Additionally, having a friend who can support and help in relaxation is very beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety.

This condition is often genetic. Therefore the notion that worry is all in the head is incorrect. Some people have a genetic predisposition for anxiety.

Chapter 4:

The Person Is Not the Disorder

The person is more than a label of a disorder. When you talk to a person, do not let the shades of this condition color the entire existence of your partner. It is just a part of them and not their whole personality. Apart from the anxiety, there is much more to the person. When you see the person as a whole and anxiety just as a part of them, the person feels respected. It is a more compassionate approach towards people who live with a disorder.

Chapter 5:

Understand the Triggers

When you are dating someone with anxiety, a mindful practice would be to learn and understand their triggers. You can have a dialogue with your partner regarding their triggers. You do not have to always protect them from these triggers. However, as an empathetic partner, you can help them healthily sail through these episodes.

Chapter 6:

Be a Good Listener

When you are dating someone with anxiety, a good practice would be to be a listener. Do not judge your partner for what they are going through. Often people minimize the feelings of an anxious person. Try to listen to your boyfriend. Even if he is irrational. It is important that your boyfriend feels validated. Having someone who listens to you without any judgment is a blessing in itself. Do not engage in advice-giving or offer fixes. Just be there for them!

Chapter 7:

Get Help!

Do not blame a person for their condition by saying things like, “you are seeking attention”, or “You are making this up”. As discussed earlier, anxiety is often genetic. Apart from that anxiety can be due to many other causes such as past trauma or a learned experience. Blaming the person simply adds to their distress. They feel betrayed if their partner blames them for something that they cannot control. Anxiety is not something your boyfriend is choosing.

"Learnt a lot from this course" Sally

51 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount