Can relationships cause anxiety?

Relationships can be defined as anything from an intimate relationship with a life partner or spouse to a family member (mother, father, brother-sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, etc.) to a friendship to an acquaintance.

There is a wide range of emotions people experience when they are in any relationship.  Those emotions include happiness, contentment, anger, disappointment, jealousy, betrayal, surprise, and many more.  Relationships, both healthy and unhealthy, can produce anxiety in a person.  Anxiety can also be described as worry or panic at times, and everyone experiences it differently.  Some people may have a racing heart when they become anxious, some people may have butterflies in their stomachs, or some may get a jittery or shaky feeling in their hands or another part of their body.

When beginning a relationship or dating someone new, people may experience anxiety wondering if the other person has reciprocal feelings and wants to continue to move forward with dating or take the relationship to a more serious level.  Anxiety can be present in a relationship after a disagreement or argument as well.  It is uncomfortable if we know someone is disappointed or upset with us, which can cause anxiety, even if the disagreement was resolved and settled.  Anxiety can also present in the form of insecurity when it comes to the relationship.  People may also worry if they are compatible with their partner for the long term, some may worry the other person wants to break up, and at times, some may doubt their partner’s feelings for them.  All of these scenarios can cause anxiety.

Anxiety can be present in both healthy and unhealthy relationships.  If the relationship is unhealthy and there is any abuse of power differential, the person who is the victim may be anxious, not knowing when the next abusive situation may occur or when they may be taken advantage of.  Anxiety is a common feeling, at times in a relationship.  It can be part of developing a relationship and can be normal, again, at times.  If one person in the relationship feels anxious constantly and feels as though they are walking on eggshells or watching what they say or do, it is more than likely a sign that the relationship may be unhealthy.