ARTICLE 9:

Dealing with the anxiety of dating:

Life is stressful as it is and adding relationships to the mix can play a very negative role on your anxiety levels, especially if you already have a habit of developing panic-stricken attacks when it comes to love and dating.

Over the last 10 years there have been progress in both drug and non-drug therapies to help relieve the burden of anxiety when it comes to dating. Very often it may take a combination of medications and regular therapy. Medications can last up to an entire year of such drugs as benzodiazepine tranquilizers, antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

It is best that you try to avoid taking drugs for your dating anxiety in addition to practicing the following 'non-drug' anxiety prevention tips:

1. Instead of hiding your nervousness, admit it to yourself and your partner. Often times what leads to a major anxiety attack is a spawn from trying to keep your initial nervousness covered up, pretending to be calm, and hiding it. If your 'special someone' comes into the room to see you then do not pretend your anxiety isn't there. Simply say “Oh hi dear, I am sorry if I appear nervous, but I am ,and I would love it if you would hold me”

2. If you had an anxious episode during seeing a new dating partner or something similar then afterwards do not beat yourself up worrying how you responded to them or how you acted. It's best just to give yourself affirmations in a positive manner that helps you build confidence and do better the next time around by taking control.

3. In order to calm down each time you have an anxiety attack then just simply walk away and breath. If you happen to be with your new girlfriend or boyfriend then by following my previous tip on being honest with them about your nervousness, and also let them know that you need a minute alone, walk outside, and breath slowly until you regain composure. Before you know it this simple technique will calm you down every time.