Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

ERP 456: How to Navigate Relationship - When a Partner Has Anxiety - An Interview with Jeanne Retief

Dec 24, 2024

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Have you ever felt like the internal turmoil you're battling is invisible to the rest of the world? Like no one truly understands the gravity of what you're experiencing because you appear calm and composed on the outside? The struggle to manage anxiety while maintaining healthy relationships is a complex and often misunderstood journey. The challenge lies not only in dealing with the anxiety itself but also in finding ways to communicate your needs to those around you effectively.

In this episode, we delve deep into the real-life experiences of someone who has navigated the tumultuous waters of anxiety for over seven years. It covers practical tools and resources for managing anxiety, the crucial distinction between everyday stress and anxiety disorders, and the importance of clear and compassionate communication in relationships. This discussion offers a plethora of actionable advice and relatable insights to help listeners better understand and manage their anxiety while nurturing their relationships.

Dr. Jeanne Retief is the founder of FIGGI Beauty Skincare and The Anxious Calm E-Learning platform for those seeking to peacefully coexist with their anxiety. After her panic disorder diagnosis, she left behind her career in international human rights to find balance in her new normal.

Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode

05:29 Jeanne Retief’s seven-year journey and finding balance.

08:05 The importance of hope and living in the present.

10:51 Introduction to figgy beauty and anxious calm resources.

14:31 Differentiating everyday stress from anxiety disorders.

19:37 Using code words for emotional communication.

22:52 The hidden turmoil of anxiety.

25:01 The reality of panic attacks.

27:32 Anxiety and its misrecognition.

32:18 Struggling with stigmatization and seeking help.

34:45 Relational dynamics and open communication.

38:30 Supporting each other during anxiety.