How To Help Someone With Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threats. It can manifest as several anxiety symptoms, such as:

• Excessive worry
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Social avoidance

Anxiety is a very common phenomenon, and it can affect the best of us. It can be categorized as the fluttery or lightheaded feeling before you are meeting someone new, giving a speech, presenting something in front of a crowd, etc.

A little bit of anxiety like this is alright, and it happens to all of us. However, when the anxiety symptoms start getting out of hand, it can disrupt your daily life. Severe anxiety symptoms can affect your work life, studies, relationships, etc.

People who are suffering from anxiety have a lot on their plate,s and it becomes really hard for them to manage alone. So, if someone you know is going through this tough phase, you might want to do whatever you can to make it better for them. So now the question arises: how to help someone with anxiety? Read this blog to know.

What is Anxiety?

Before helping someone, it’s important to understand what anxiety really means. Anxiety does not only mean feeling nervous from time to time. It is an overwhelming, consistent fear or worry that creates feelings of tension, insecurity, dizziness, or fatigue. For people who experience anxiety, thoughts are difficult to escape, ongoing even when one knows that nothing bad is happening.

Some common anxiety symptoms are:

• Nausea or rapid heartbeat or sweating
• Restlessness or shaking
• Difficulty sleeping
• Avoiding social situations
• Excessive rumination over trivial problems
• Feeling that something bad is going to happen

It is important to remember that anxiety is not a choice. Individuals are not choosing to be anxious persons. It is a legitimate mental health diagnosis that will require effort and time to resolve.

What Can You Do To Support Someone With Anxiety?

Listen Without Judging

If you're looking to help someone with anxiety, the best thing you can do is listen. Sometimes, they need to talk about their feelings without the pressure of what to say or do in the moment. When they speak, make a point to listen intently and avoid interrupting.

You can say: "I'm here for you", "It's okay, I want you to feel this way," and "You're not alone." Even if you don't have the answers they are looking for, what matters the most is that you showed that you care.

Be Patient

Anxiety is not something that goes away overnight. Some days will be better, while others may be worse. Try to be patient when your friend or loved one seems quiet or avoids things they used to enjoy.

They are not being rude or lazy; they are just trying to manage their emotions..

Encourage Them To Seek Help

Your personal support is validated and important, but there are often when they need someone with expertise. Encourage them to speak to a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist if their anxiety is causing them problems in their daily life.

Mental health professionals can help them understand their anxiety and employ coping techniques.

Learn About Anxiety Together

Often, the person suffering from anxiety has no idea about what is happening to them. To help them clear their thoughts and grasp a better idea about what’s going on, you can make time to sit and learn about anxiety together.

Be Supportive in Small Ways

Small acts of kindness can help more than big gestures. You can:

• Go for a walk together
• Watch a funny movie
• Help them with chores when they feel overwhelmed
• Remind them to eat and rest properly
• Send a kind text message

Avoid Giving Too Much Advice

Remember, anxiety makes decision-making hard. What seems simple to you may feel impossible to them. So, guide gently instead of pushing with constant advice.

Help Them Relax

Anxiety can often feel like your body is tensing up. You can suggest some relaxing and easy activities, like:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Listening to soft music
• Practicing yoga or meditation
• Coloring or drawing
• Spending time outdoors

Be Careful With Your Words

Avoid saying harsh things like:

• “You are overreacting.”
• “It is not a big deal.”
• “You are being dramatic.”

These can make the person feel worse about their situation, and they might push you away further.

Take Care Of Yourself, Too

Supporting someone with anxiety can drain you emotionally. Take time to rejuvenate your mental health, too, as you can never pour from an empty cup. The stronger your mental health is, the better you can support others.

Don’t Take It Personally

People with anxiety often struggle with their self-image and may even develop trust issues. Your understanding can make them feel loved even when they can’t express it.

Celebrate Their Progress

Every small step they take deserves to be noticed. Whether they go outside, talk to someone, or handle a stressful day calmly, celebrate it.