A romantic relationship should be a source of deep connection—but for those with relationship anxiety, relationships can also be a source of constant worry or stress. Relationship anxiety can happen to people who are in new relationships, as well as those who have been with their partners for years.
At Columbia Associates, our team understands how confusing relationship anxiety can be. That’s why our anxiety treatment services are designed to help you get to the bottom of what’s causing the anxiety and build healthier, more secure relationships.
What is relationship anxiety?
Relationship anxiety is when someone worries about their relationship and feels insecure about their partner’s love or commitment to them—even when there’s no clear reason for concern. This underlying sense of worry can stem from feelings of unworthiness, abandonment, or betrayal. If left unchecked, these feelings tend to lead to an individual overthinking, and having difficulty trusting their partner.
This kind of anxiety can show up early on in dating or emerge in long-term relationships. It’s not always a reflection of the relationship’s quality. It’s more often about how we’ve learned to attach or interpret emotional cues.
Common signs of anxiety in a relationship
Relationship anxiety can manifest in several ways. Some of the most common include these emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms:
Emotional symptoms
- A constant fear of being rejected or abandoned
- Overanalyzing texts, conversations, or your partner’s tone
- Worrying excessively about your partner’s love or commitment
Behavioral symptoms
- Seeking consistent reassurance of the other person’s feelings
- Avoiding emotional vulnerability
- Feeling jealous or possessive without a reason
Physical or cognitive effects
- Trouble sleeping due to stress over the relationship
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling guilty or ashamed after minor conflicts
If you’re experiencing any of these effects, there’s no reason to feel ashamed or silly. Lots of people deal with these feelings as a result of childhood experiences and emotional trauma. The important thing to realize is that there are simple tools and new thought patterns that can help you enjoy your relationship so much more.
Your feelings are valid and manageable
It’s important to remember that feeling anxious about your relationship doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or the relationship. It means your nervous system is trying to protect you from perceived emotional threats, often rooted in past experiences. If there’s no evidence to substantiate the worries that you have about your relationship, you may be experiencing relationship anxiety.
With the right support, you can develop tools to quiet negative thought patterns, build trust, and strengthen your connection with your partner while learning to trust yourself as well. Therapy is one of the most effective ways to explore the underlying fears driving your thoughts and behaviors and build healthier relationship dynamics.
How Columbia Associates can support you
If you’re struggling with relationship anxiety, Columbia Associates offers compassionate and evidence-based support across the Washington D.C. metro region—including Virginia and Maryland. Our therapists will work with you to unearth emotional triggers and build communication skills that help both you and your partner feel heard and valued.
Our therapists may use approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other therapeutic modalities tailored to your needs—so that your care plan reflects your unique experience and goals.
Get help with finding security in your relationships at Columbia Associates
If you find yourself overly concerned about your partner’s behavior, feel insecure in your relationship, or your anxiety causes you to act in ways you’re not proud of, Columbia Associates can help. Support from our skilled clinicians helps clients build new habits and develop stronger relationships. Give us a call today at 703.682.8208 to learn more today.
For new clients, please click here to schedule an appointment. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.