Episode 124: How to Stay Close When Your Spouse Has Anxiety—with Michelle Bengtson
We all know that anxiety can take a big toll on the person who is personally suffering from it. But what we don’t talk about as often is how anxiety can take a toll on a marriage. The truth is, this challenging mental condition can often cause fear, exhaustion, and a sense of isolation that leaves both spouses wondering how to support one another or stay connected.
If you and your spouse are navigating anxiety, this conversation with Dr. Michelle Bengtson offers encouragement and practical wisdom.
Dr. Bengtson is a clinical neuropsychologist who understands anxiety both professionally and personally. She has endured anxiety and depression herself, and her book, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises, became an unexpected guide during her own season of fearful thoughts as she and her husband faced cancer and all the accompanying unknowns.
In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares both clinical insight and spiritual wisdom to help couples navigate anxiety’s impact on their relationship. While anxiety can feel lonely and overwhelming for both partners, there is hope.
In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares:
- How couples can draw closer to one another, even while coping with anxiety
- Why presence matters more than perfection
- How to prevent compassion fatigue and caregiver burnout
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Links:
- [BOOK] Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises
- [Blog] Compassion Fatigue
- Mental Health Resources on Anxiety from Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- [Download] How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win!
- Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson on her website, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube!
Our Takeaways:
1) Anxiety creates challenges for couples, but staying connected can strengthen the relationship. Journaling, asking supportive questions, being present, and praying together all help to nurture openness and reduce disconnection. Learning to recognize anxiety-driven behaviors allows spouses to respond with compassion rather than defensiveness.
2) Prayer is one way couples can fight anxiety together. Prayer brings our burdens to Jesus and leaves them in His capable hands. It helps us release the false belief that we have to fix everything ourselves and reminds us that healing and peace ultimately rest in the Lord’s hands. When worry and rumination consume us, it can be so comforting to lift our concerns to the Lord and remember that we don’t have to carry them alone.
3) We can train our minds to focus on the goodness of God. Our brains grow in the areas where we place our focus! Worry often comes from imagining a future without God. Peace comes when we remember all the good that God has already done and trust Him with what lies ahead.
Meet Our Guest
Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist with more than 20 years of experience helping children, adults, and seniors navigate medical and mental health challenges. She knows pain and despair firsthand and brings together her professional expertise, personal experience, and faith to help others find hope. Through her work as a neuropsychologist, and now as a speaker, author, podcast host, and coach, Dr. Bengtson encourages others to focus less on self-esteem and more on how God esteems them by knowing and trusting the truths found in Scripture.
