There are four main primary types of communication styles

Assertive- Being direct and standing up for yourself while respecting the other person

Aggressive- Expressing feelings in a hostile or aggressive manner without consideration for the other person

Passive- Not standing up for yourself at all and doing what others want

Passive Aggressive- Not standing up for yourself directly but then engaging in behaviors or saying things to make others feel a certain way

Assertive communication is very important for anxiety reduction because it allows for open communication and a better understanding of where others are at. Passive communication often increases anxiety because you hold things in and don't express them and feel uncomfortable around people. Aggressive communication can lead to anxiety because you may say things you later regret or didn't really mean which may negatively impact interpersonal relationships.

Often the difficulty in being assertive is we are unsure what to say or where to begin or how to put our words together. Therapy can be a wonderful place to practice assertive communication skills in a safe environment where your therapist can help you find the right words for your experience.