I read your reports of anxiety and claustrophobia with interest. I too, in the past have have suffered an exaggeration of what were previously very mild anxieties or fears. I think possibly this may be at least in part a result of the undermining or erosion of confidence or self-esteem caused by the continual PA behaviors of your spouse.
Naturally when we are happy, confident and optimistic we all have few fears and feel anything is possible for us, but when the reverse is true....
Being on the receiving end of PA behaviors will erode your self-esteem, your confidence and make you feel old before your time. No wonder that any latent anxieties come to the surface.
Be aware that your PA spouse may well possibly be delighted to help highlight any such 'disorders' in you. This will help re-enforce and validate their view that you are a flawed individual in need of 'seeing someone' whilst they are of course perfect.
Kimmerz: you are right they are addicted to a 'lifestyle'they adopt to deal with their inner anger and frustration. They will go to extraordinary lengths to feed their addiction and 'stick it to you'. To give up the lies, deviousness and deception and admit a they have a problem, never mind seeking help is to admit there is something wrong with them. remember the 'Passive Aggressive has no faults, it is the rest of us and we must be punished for those faults'.
If they admit their faults, cold turkey for them is emotional suicide.
