Avoid Your Spouse’s Anxiety Triggers
In the first part of this anxiety therapy guide for married couples, we discussed ways you can adjust your behaviors to accommodate your spouse’s anxiety. This concept falls in line with that. If your spouse has specific anxiety triggers, like going to a place with large crowds or being around fireworks, do what you can do avoid those. Your spouse may be asked to face his or her triggers during his or her anxiety therapy, but that is something that the therapist will plan out. The goal would be to gradually desensitize your spouse to the trigger so it is not a trigger any longer. If that is in fact the plan, you will need to follow the therapist’s directions to determine how to work around your spouse’s triggers.
Be As Understanding As Possible
There will be times that you feel frustrated in dealing with your spouse’s anxiety. This is perfectly normal and expected in a stressful situation. Do all you can to put your frustrations aside, especially when your spouse is going through an anxiety attack. In many cases, the spouse will apologize afterward for acting a certain way or responding a certain way. Then you can talk about ways to avoid similar conflicts in the future. Remember that your spouse is just as frustrated as you because of his or her anxiety symptoms, but together, you can find ways to make the environment better for both of you.
Keep Household Stress To A Minimum
Stress will not only make your spouse’s anxiety symptoms worse, but it will also make you more agitated by the anxiety. In other words, having stress in your life will make the situation worse on both sides. Do what you can do minimize the stress in the household. Speak openly and honestly with one another. Do not live above your means. Work through difficult situations together, and be aware of when your spouse has a stressful day.
In addition to anxiety therapy, you and your spouse could use couples counseling to build your communication skills and improve your interactions with one another. Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers offer a wide range of counseling programs in Michigan, and we would love to see your marriage thrive. Give us a call at (248) 244-8644 to schedule an appointment, and you can be on your way to the relaxing, anxiety-free life you both deserve.