People with anxiety: Does it frustrate you when it seems like your partner doesn't understand what you're going through?

[Anonymous]

Or is it just important that they are there for you when you need them?

[Kiwedin]

Not really. My boyfriend has never once had to deal with anxiety, he doesn't seem to understand it at all, but at the same time, he doesn't really have to. You don't need to know what anxiety is in order to be there for someone. All he knows is that I get anxious sometimes and that I don't feel good. Sometimes he'll stay awake with me when my anxiety keeps me up at night, he'll hold my face in his hands and make me focus on only him and our breathing when I'm having a panic attack, etc. He may not understand what's going on with me, but he's there when I need him and he's a great help, and that's what matters most.

[kaylaS91]

I know that he'll never fully understand my anxiety because, with it not being something that he can experience first-hand, he had no sort of reference point. Which is fine by me, though. It's more than enough that he is understanding about how it's obviously not something fun to experience and offers me support when my anxiety reaches a high point when dates for in-class presentations draw closer and such.

[Jayson101]

I get over my anxiety. I don;t understand permanent anxiety to be honest. If I am anxious, my situation needs to change, and I make it change.

Anxiety is a good emotion, it's your body telling you that you are potentially headed towards the wrong destination, and this is worrisome. And that the good destination you envision is not conducive to your current habits.

I don;t understand anxiety as a fixed disorder based on nothing. Or as something that can't be overcome with courage and diligence and forethought. A really anxious person should just be a really ambitious and successful person.

[Anonymous]

Yes and no. I'm to the point that I know some things I have anxiety with are silly but I can't help it and other things it does make me frustrated that he doesn't understand but for the most part he's there for me. I have horrible anxiety with Drs and I will get nauseous and shaking and have came close to passing out before and he talks to me and tries to calm me down some.

[RJGraveyTrain]

I had experiences where it did, but my current lover doesn't give me a hard time about it A) because he's supportive and B) he doesn't want to see me get mad. Lol.

[bcromartie]

Yes.

[Asker]

Would you break up with them because of it?

[bcromartie]

Sure.