Doctor
ASK THE
Introducing our new monthly feature, Ask the Doctor. Our healthcare partners
will be answering your questions. To submit a question, please email
[email protected].
My Partner is feeling anxious. How can
I help? talking, encourage your partner to write their anxious
You’ve tried everything—listening to their concerns, not they share those written thoughts with you.
attempting to understand their fears, seeking the advice
of friends and family. But taking care of a spouse who is
battling anxiety can be draining. Their worries can spill
over into other aspects of your life and can in turn foster
anxiety in you.
That’s why it’s critical to learn how to manage your
partner’s anxiety, and your own, so that you can both
thrive, together.
feelings down; that may help the thoughts leave their
heads for a bit. Allow your partner to choose whether or
Do mindful activities with your partner.
Practice deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and
stretching. Be patient with your partner and use these
activities to show him or her that you want to focus on
destressing, together.
There is a book called The Anxiety and Phobia
Workbook you can work on with your partner. It has
Validate and acknowledge your partner’s
feelings without patronizing them. multiple exercises for those who need more structure
Saying something like “snap out of it” will upset your partner is going through.
partner—as the feelings they are having are often
things they can’t fully control. Encourage your partner
to talk about their anxiety: what does it feel like, and
how does it express itself? If he or she doesn’t feel like
8 | V O L U S I A parent M A G A Z I N E
in managing their anxiety. You can do some of the
exercises together to get a better sense of what your
Remind yourself of all of your partner’s good
qualities.