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Whether you are new to dating or a seasoned pro, you’re familiar with one universal aspect of the dating experience – anxiety. Dating anxiety often kicks in when you first realize you’ve met a new potential partner and, if left unchecked, this anxiety can continue throughout the dating process. While anxiety can be a natural aspect of dating, by understanding the specific stages of the dating anxiety cycle and using certain tips, you can break free!
Identifying the Dating Anxiety Cycle
The first step in breaking the cycle is learning to recognize it in your own dating experiences. See if the following stages sound familiar:
Initial Meet Up
Typically, the very first interactions you have with a new potential dating partner are filled with possibilities. The excitement of meeting a possible mate often leaves you feeling calm and enthusiastic about sharing your authentic self with another person. Because you have not yet committed yourself to this as a dating experience, you approach the interactions with no expectations and with an open heart and mind.
Dating Anxiety Sets In
Just when you decide that this person is a real romantic possibility, your enthusiasm turns to worry: what if they don’t feel the butterflies too? Anxiety begins to take hold at this point as you enter a heightened state of awareness, watching for any signs that tell you they may or may not be falling for you.
Safety Behaviors
As the relationship progresses, you may seek to reassure yourself of your dating partner’s commitment. In order to reduce this anxiety, you find yourself checking in on them by digging through their social media or taking a quick glance through their phone when they leave the room.
Relationship Impact
Unfortunately, these behaviors have a negative impact on the health of the relationship: partners become stressed, conflicts erupt, and relational communication breaks down.
The Chase
As your dating partner begins to withdraw from the pressure and conflict, an anxiety-induced chase begins. The more they pull away, the more you seek reassurance from them.
Breaking Up
Ultimately, this cycle results in a complete breakdown of the relationship. The tension and resentment that have built up inevitably cause the relationship to come crashing to an end.
Breaking the Dating Anxiety Cycle
When left unattended, this dating anxiety cycle wreaks havoc on what could otherwise be a fulfilling long-term relationship. However, by using some simple strategies, you can put an end to this vicious pattern.
- As soon as you begin dating someone new, set aside specific time for regular self-reflection. Are you experiencing butterflies or is this anxiety? If it is anxiety, where are you in the dating anxiety cycle?
- Keep a journal specifically focused on your feelings about dating and relationships. You can reduce your anxiety by writing down your feelings about dating as they arise.
- Focus on regular, authentic communication with your partner about how you are feeling. Communicating concerns as they come up can help prevent them from growing into feelings of suspicion and full-fledged panic.
- If you find that your anxiety does not reduce with reflection, journaling, and open communication, implement general anxiety reduction strategies such as exercise, mindfulness, and positive self-talk exercises.
Breaking the dating anxiety cycle can be your first step towards opening the door to long-term relationship success!
Start Therapy for Dating Anxiety in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Westchester
Take control of your dating journey today and start therapy for dating anxiety. Don’t let the fear of rejection or uncertainty hold you back from finding love and building a healthy relationship. At Manhattan Wellness we provide you wiht a safe and supportive space where you can explore your dating patterns, identify triggers, and develop effective coping strategies. A skilled New York therapist can guide you through the stages of the dating anxiety cycle, helping you break free from self-destructive behaviors and build confidence in yourself and your relationships. Take the leap and invest in your emotional well-being.
- Contact us with any questions
- Schedule your first appointment for dating counseling
- Pave the way for a fulfilling and lasting love story. You deserve it!
Other Therapy Services We Offer in Manhattan
We understand that navigating dating and relationships can come with many emotions and feelings behind it. This is why out Manhattan therapists also offer a range of other counseling services. The mental health services we offer are Depression Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, Individual Therapy, and Therapy for Self-Esteem. As well as Therapy for Women, Therapy for College Students, Maternal Mental Health Care, and more. Are you feel like you’re not living the life you want and need to make changes? Let’s talk about it.
