5 Things to Know About Dating Me, a Girl With Anxiety

It’s not always easy to understand someone with anxiety. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do or how to react. Even though there’s no secret formula, there are a few ways you can help someone you love when they’re anxious.

1. Be Patient

When you have anxiety, it’s difficult to be patient — sometimes it feels impossible. When you date someone with anxiety, like me, I need you to have the patience I sometimes lack. Your patience helps put me at ease in those anxious moments. When you’re patient with me, it’s easier for me to gather and regroup myself, taking a little bit of the pressure off.

2. Reassure Me

There will be times I need a little extra attention and a few words of encouragement when I’m feeling low. Don’t be surprised if I repeatedly ask you things like, “Do you love me?” Or, “Are we OK?” What’s going on inside my head is sometimes so overwhelming I just need some extra love and reassurance, telling me everything is fine.

3. Always Listen

My head is typically swarming with thoughts and I have a hard time processing them all. Sometimes I just need to get it out and talk through my feelings. I understand you won’t always have a solution and that’s OK; I just want someone to hear me and listen to what I’m going through.

4. Be Flexible

With anxiety comes indecision, and I need someone who’s along for the ride. Sometimes I feel frozen and I need a little boost when I’m anxious. When you’re flexible, it eases my anxiety when I don’t always know my next move.

5. Accept Me

I don’t want to be anxious, and even though I try, it’s not always something I can help. It’s important that you love me for who I am and accept the good with the bad. I need someone to motivate me and love me, especially when I’m not at my best.