Did you know that in the United States alone about 18 percent of people over the age of eighteen have anxiety? That ends up being about 40 million people.

And if you’ve ever suffered from, or have a loved one who’s suffered from an anxiety disorder, you know just how debilitating it can be.

Anxiety casts a shadow over practically every aspect of a person’s life, and treatment doesn’t always entirely get rid of symptoms. Anxious people often feel misunderstood because of the assumptions people always make about them.

So, if your partner is suffering from anxiety, you should probably know these five things:

It affects them physically, mentally, and emotionally

While the brain and how it processes information is largely affected by anxiety, it also has an effect on the emotional and physical aspects of life.

Always try to be aware of how your partner is feeling so you can see things from their perspective. Headaches, cold sweats, a flushed face, insomnia, and stiff muscles are just a few things to be on the lookout for.

Depression often accompanies anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that approximately half of people with an anxiety disorder suffer from depression as well. The two conditions together create a tug-of-war effect, as the person feels torn by being dragged in two separate directions.

Anxiety is fast and flowing, while depression is stagnant and apathetic. Trying to manage both can be overwhelming for your partner.

Alone time is absolutely necessary

Because of how draining anxiety disorders are, your partner might not want to go out every weekend, so be respectful of their wishes. Their lack of energy is further amplified by social settings, meaning they can become overwhelmed easily if they’re already tired beforehand.

They want to be with you, but they need time to be alone in order to recharge their batteries–then they’re back to normal and back to being a good partner for you.

Anxiety will never keep your partner from loving you

Oftentimes people with mental disorders get the stigma that they’re impossible to love or cannot love others, which is 100% false. They’ve simply had to endure too much for too long, and are now experiencing the symptoms.

The best thing you can do is listen with an open heart and an open mind, supporting them through whatever they may be going through. When they seem distant or unresponsive, they’re likely fighting a battle you’d never know about.

It’s never just for attention

Attention is often cited as the real reason people claim to have mental illness, but this is about as far from the truth as you can get. Genuine love, care, and compassion are all that they want; attention is the last thing on their mind. They want you to listen to what they have to say, so that they can help you to understand what they’re going through.

Figuring out how to effectively manage their condition takes time and effort. Be their shoulder to cry on and remember to never persecute them for their disorder.

Did you know that in the United States alone about 18 percent of people over the age of eighteen have anxiety? That ends up being about 40 million people.

And if you’ve ever suffered from, or have a loved one who’s suffered from an anxiety disorder, you know just how debilitating it can be.

Anxiety casts a shadow over practically every aspect of a person’s life, and treatment doesn’t always entirely get rid of symptoms. Anxious people often feel misunderstood because of the assumptions people always make about them.

So, if your partner is suffering from anxiety, you should probably know these five things:

It affects them physically, mentally, and emotionally