As I mentioned in Part 1 of this series, anxiety is something that many people deal with each day. It not only affects the person suffering from it, but coworkers and those closest to the individual as well. We often think we live in isolation—where our personal issues don’t interfere with the rest of our lives—but that theory is simply not true.

I once worked in a environment that was extremely toxic with negativity, sarcasm, jealousy, and even shunning! As you can imagine, I developed a great amount of anxiety about going to work each day—knowing the situation seemed doomed, without leaders willing to resolve the issues at hand.

So, each night my poor husband got an earful of the “dirt” I had dealt with from the office all day long. Thankfully, I’m married to a wonderful, caring listener who wants to help me in my concerns. But this is not always the case in connections we have with others. Anxiety—especially on-going angst—is often detrimental to our close relationships.

Healthcentral.com lists several factors that contribute to relational problems due to anxiety:

• Constant Worry
  Anxiety is most often characterized by extreme or constant worry. This worry is often unsubstantiated, but, even so, the person with anxiety cannot stop. Both partners can end up feeling frustrated and angry.
  So….do proactive things to take your mind off your concerns: Talk with a counselor or friend who gives wise advice. Get physically active to relieve stress. Do something enjoyable to change your mind-set!

• Avoidance of Situations
  Many people with anxiety—especially panic disorders—avoid situations and places that may cause an anxiety attack. For some people, this can mean avoiding friends, family, and other social events. In a relationship, this can create problems.
  So….ask your close friend to help you get through this with his help! Make a compromise by attending events—but having a set time of departure that you both agree on. Taking this approach may help you ease into more social situations down the road as your anxiety decreases.

• Financial Concerns
  Although many people with anxiety disorders continue to work, some fear their anxiety will interfere with their job or may cause them to lose their job.
  So….if possible, talk with some of your closest co-workers about your on-going concerns. Many people can relate to your situation, and will show a certain amount of empathy as you work through the issues. This will make it easier on you, knowing they understand your dilemma.

•  Communication
  Communication is one of the most important aspects of any relationship and many adults with anxiety avoid open and honest communication because of their fears. Part of the problem may be in being able to communicate feelings and how anxiety impacts daily life. Without being able to openly communicate this information, a partner is not able to understand the effect of anxiety.
  So….share your concerns with those closest to you. Many times, transparency actually deflects the turmoil you have had building up to this point.

We’ve seen how anxiety affects all aspects of our lives—from personal concerns to workplace and close relationships. And you may not realize it, but anxiety also affects us spiritually—in our relationship with the Lord.

In Philippians 4:6-7 the apostle Paul reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Many times, we tell others we’re trusting God to resolve our concerns—yet, we continue to worry about those matters on a continual basis. That’s not really trusting God. We either have faith in His ability to take those concerns from us, or we’re trusting more in ourselves to handle things. I encourage you—as I’m learning this as well—to truly leave your worries in the hands of the Lord who promises us peace beyond what we can imagine!

Coming up in our final segment of this series, we’ll look at various coping methods that have been effective for others dealing with anxiety.