Careful, Stassi Schroeder, Post-Engagement Anxiety Is a Thing
An engagement is supposed to be a happy time. But for some people it's just filled with anxiety.
Vanderpump Rules' latest gal to get engaged, Stassi Schroeder, already joked that she's becoming a bridezilla. Sometimes though, the stress that arises while planning a wedding is real, and a major life change like an engagement can really throw you for a loop, no matter how happy you are. (Also congrats, Stassi and Beau Clark!)
A few tips:
According to Huffington Post, “Having some anxiety symptoms does not mean you are unhappy per se about the event itself ... Getting engaged to someone signifies one step closer to a lifelong commitment. You may have anxiety about planning a wedding, merging families, being a good daughter-in-law, moving in together, financial decisions, being a good wife and so on. There’s a lot that comes up post-engagement that can easily trigger some fears, even if they are not totally logical or rational.”
Therapist Jason Eric Ross told Personal Space that this type of anxiety really does happen to people.
"It is perfectly natural and normal to have post-engagement anxiety. It’s only one of the biggest decisions you would ever make so some anxiety could be really healthy," he said. "An engagement brings up a lot of emotions, often making us feel vulnerable, and for most people that raises anxiety levels."
But, he adds, anxiety might lead us to think about our decisions rationally. "That’s good. Reality is, so many people jump into relationships impulsively," Ross said. "One big anxiety producer is the fact that weddings have so many stressors and most couples expend so much emotional energy trying to please everyone between seating, venue, costs, etc. The more complicated the nuptials, the more headaches and potential for disaster. With our social media-based world, one might have heightened levels of anxiety so I would argue it is very normal. Given the high divorce rate, it’s downright sensible."
If you do experience anxiety after getting engaged, talk to someone, he added. "Don't keep your feelings in. That just creates even more anxiety."
