[11thEarlOfMar]

Consider the impact on the children of anxiety sufferers. If not successfully treated, they can suffer even more greatly than a spouse. Children are a source of anxiety even for healthy parents. If you're married to an abnormally anxious spouse, wait to have kids until/unless it is managed.

[beat]

I'm married to someone with anxiety, and our now-adult daughter has anxiety issues far worse than her mother does. Mental health issues are biological and usually genetic in nature. Frankly, mental health is far worse in my own family than it is in my wife's family, so I suspect the issues our children face are genetically more my responsibility than hers.

As an extrovert, it's generally my role in the family to go deal with stuff for them and run interference socially. My wife often takes me to social functions just so I can hold the conversations for her. I know she needs it, so I do it.

[maxxxxx]

I commend you for helping your wife with social functions. I am often extremely shy and socially inept and I think it would help me a lot if somebody took me by the hand and helped me through those situations. Most people have no sympathy for this problem "Just go out there and have fun" is really bad advice.

[beat]

A friend of mine said something wonderfully complementary recently. She said I'm the kind of extrovert that makes introverts more comfortable, rather than less comfortable. That in itself is a very sensitive statement, distinguishing out the extroverts who treat introverts like doormats. :(

Not to say introversion and anxiety are the same thing. My daughter is actually pretty extroverted, as long as she feels comfortable and in control, but when her anxiety kicks in, she becomes painfully shy.

[tixocloud]

I also have reason to believe that it's also related to one's upbringing.

That being said, I think you're doing a noble thing. By taking little steps to overcome these issues are the best way to get through the root cause.