Therapy for Relationship Anxiety

Relationship anxiety, also known as dating anxiety or partner anxiety, is a common condition that affects many people. It is characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear about one's relationship. These feelings can be overwhelming and can negatively impact the relationship.

What causes Relationship Anxiety?

There are many possible causes of relationship anxiety. Some people may have experienced trauma in past relationships, while others may have a tendency towards anxiety in general. Additionally, some people may struggle with insecurity or low self-esteem or an anxious attachment style, which can make them more susceptible to relationship anxiety.

How do I know if I’m experiencing Relationship Anxiety ?

These symptoms can be distressing and can lead to problems in the relationship. Symptoms of relationship anxiety may include:

• constant worry about the relationship

• difficulty trusting that a partner is being faithful

• a feeling of being out of body during intimacy

• worrying that you didn’t pick “the right person”

• fear of abandonment

• excessive thinking about the relationship

• feelings of jealousy or jealous behaviors such as looking at your partner’s ex on social media, looking at your partner’s likes or follows, secretly checking a partner’s messages

• excessive reliance on friends or others for feedback on the relationship

• overexamining your partner’s past for reasons not to trust them

• testing your partner: if they do THIS then they love me

What’s the difference between relationship anxiety and ROCD?

Relationship Anxiety and Relationship OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) are two distinct conditions that can have similar symptoms but different causes and treatments.

Relationship anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear about one's relationship. These feelings can be overwhelming and can negatively impact the relationship. It’s a common condition that affects many people. It can be caused by past traumatic experiences, a tendency towards anxiety, or low self-esteem.

On the other hand, Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a subtype of OCD in which an individual experiences persistent, intrusive, and distressing doubts about the strength, quality, and "true nature" of their romantic relationship. This type of OCD is characterized by excessive preoccupation with one's romantic partner and can lead to distress and dysfunction in the relationship. Common symptoms can include:

• excessive checking

• rumination

• obsessing over the relationship

• compulsive behaviors such as seeking constant reassurance from the partner.

Treatment for Relationship OCD typically involves talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically a subtype called ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and sometimes medication.

It's important to note that relationship anxiety and Relationship OCD are treatable conditions and if you think you may be struggling with either of them, it's important to reach out to a mental health professional for help.

What can I do about relationship anxiety?

If you’re struggling with relationship anxiety, there are several things that you can do to help manage your symptoms. The first thing is to talk to your partner about your feelings. This can be difficult, but it is important for your partner to understand what you are going through. Additionally, it is important to practice self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly.

Seeking professional help can also help manage symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that can be helpful for managing relationship anxiety. This type of therapy helps individuals change their thoughts and behaviors in order to improve their emotional well-being. A therapist can help you identify and challenge negative thoughts that are contributing to your anxiety as well as teach you coping strategies for managing symptoms.

Another form of therapy that can be beneficial is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is designed to resolve the symptoms and emotional distress that result from disturbing life experiences.

How can I find help for Relationship Anxiety in New York?

It's important to remember that relationship anxiety is a treatable condition. With the right treatment and support, you can learn to manage your symptoms and improve your relationship. If you think you may be struggling with relationship anxiety, reaching out to a mental health professional can help.

Individual Relationship Anxiety therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes long and occur on a weekly basis. Learn more about our NYC therapists and contact us to schedule a free Relationship therapy consultation call today!