By: Emily Tran Anxiety is different from momentary fear and worry, but it is often regarded as the same. When people see someone stressed over school or losing their job, a common encouragement might be “cheer up” or “just deal with it”. Words like these are usually taken lightly and forgotten later. But to a person diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, these words can be very painful because it dismisses the importance of their problems.
The first step to offering support is a desire to understand what the person is going through. This means realizing that anxiety can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Anxiety can cause a lack of concentration and negative thoughts. Sometimes, it is not all “in the mind”. Symptoms of the disorder can be physical, such as hyperventilating and nausea. Offering advice when you haven’t experienced what the other person is going through can be tempting. But instead of giving superficial advice, it is better to listen to their problems and assure them that you will always be by their side.
At the same time, being too supportive of someone’s anxiety is a common mistake. Allowing a person to avoid certain situations because of their anxiety can cause their fears to elevate further. If they need to complete a task, but are avoiding it due to their anxiety, it is important to tell them directly and guide them through the task.
There are times where I become severely worried about my future. To combat this, I think of all the worst outcomes such as not being able to support my family and afterwards, I think of the most realistic outcomes. This is relieving to me because I feel that the worst things I can think of are less likely to happen if I can predict them. This is by no means a cure-all for anxiety, but I found this technique helpful in alleviating my worries.
There are other methods that may bring temporary relief such as exercise and meditation. Meditation helps a person organize their emotions better and calms an overactive brain. Exercise has been found to improve concentration and stabilizes mood. These are just a few of the many activities people with anxiety can take comfort in. What works for one person might not work for another, so it is highly encouraged they explore different methods to see what works for them.
Many people feel responsible for their loved ones’ anxiety. But your help can only go so far. When it comes to a point where you can’t help anymore, it’s time to get professional help. An example is a person who constantly seeks reassurance. They fear they could lose you and repeatedly ask if you will leave them over and over. This is something that you alone cannot handle. Seeking a therapist will help reduce the anxiety symptoms. Help them in any way you can. Make time available for them to meet with a therapist if they say they’re too busy. If they’re afraid of meeting a therapist, offer to go with them for the first few sessions so they can gradually adjust. Giving them time and patience will play a huge part into their road of recovery. Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/20/how-not-to-talk-to-someone-with-anxiety https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201607/how-help-someone-anxiety%3famp https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2018/12/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety/ https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/exercise-stress-and-anxiety
Comments