‘We need you to make us not feel crazy. We need you to keep us grounded. Loving someone with anxiety isn’t easy, but stick with us.’: Woman battling anxiety says ‘we love harder than most’

“Loving someone with anxiety is not easy. ⁣

I’m not going to lie, it’s actually pretty freaking hard.
It’s a lot of patience, a lot of trial and error, and a lot of not giving up on them. ⁣

What we need most, is for you to just be there for us. We need you to make us not feel crazy. We need you to keep us grounded. ⁣

When we have anxiety attacks, it feels like the whole world is closing in on us. Imagine a ton of bricks on your chest, your hands getting sweaty, your stomach turning, and feeling like you are losing all sense of reality. ⁣

We need you to simply remind us we aren’t actually dying. This feeling will pass. We are not crazy, and everything will be alright. ⁣

We need you to be patient. Because we are trying. I promise. ⁣
Sometimes, we may have random bursts of irritability. We may need to know exactly how the day is going to be planned out, and we may nitpick at your behavior.

Sometimes, we will need you to hold us close, but other times, we will want you to be nowhere near us. I know, it’s hard. You never know what you’re going to get with each anxiety attack, but we’re trying. We are also trying to figure our own brain out. ⁣

But, stick with us. I know loving a person with anxiety can be draining and annoying. It can seem unreasonable to you, and you may not understand it. ⁣

Stick with us through all of that. Because loving a person with anxiety can also be pretty amazing. ⁣

We love harder than most people. ⁣

We care more than most people. ⁣

We will be there for you at any time of the day, because we get it. We’ve been through it. ⁣

I know loving a person with anxiety can be hard, but stick with us. We’re trying, and we appreciate you sticking along for the ride of us trying to figure out our own brain. ⁣

I promise.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Caitlin Fladager, and originally appeared here. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

Read more from Caitlin:

‘My anxiety and depression can make me a sh*tty friend, but I’m not sorry.’: Woman thankful for friends who stick around despite mental health struggles

‘I’m the backpack of the family. I carry all of your things. Put it all on me. Physically, and mentally.’: Mom pens sweet letter to children, ‘I love being your safe space’