How to Help Someone With Anxiety
If you know someone suffering from anxiety, you may wonder how to support them. Anxiety is a mental illness that can take over a person’s life and cause irrational fears. These people may experience panic attacks on a regular basis or feel anxious all the time. Thankfully, there are ways that you can support your loved one and help them cope with their symptoms.
What Are The Signs Of Anxiety
Anxiety can cause many physical symptoms. These symptoms can range from chest tightness and a racing heart to headaches, tummy aches, and muscle tension. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you may want to see a health care professional. Your symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor or therapist to determine if you have anxiety or a more serious condition.
Anxiety symptoms vary between people, but common symptoms include restlessness, muscle tension, and persistent worrying. These symptoms can also interfere with work and sleep.
What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety
If you suffer from anxiety, it’s important to know what the symptoms are and how to cope with them. Some people find that the best way to deal with them is to make a change in lifestyle. For instance, if you’re constantly thinking about a stressful event or situation, try to take up an activity that distracts you. Doing simple tasks like folding laundry or making a photo album can help you break the cycle of anxiety. This will allow you to feel better and move on to something else.
The first step in treating anxiety is to find a healthcare provider who can properly diagnose your symptoms. The healthcare provider will start by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. While lab tests aren’t necessary for diagnosing anxiety disorders, your healthcare provider may run a few tests to rule out other health issues. They will also ask you about your symptoms, how severe they are, and how they are interfering with your daily life. They may also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a publication of the American Psychiatric Association.
How To Support Somone With Anxiety
Often the best way to support someone with anxiety is to be there for them. It is helpful to understand how they feel, and to pay attention to their patterns. For example, if they’re constantly worrying about a specific event or situation, you can help them to break it down into smaller tasks. You can also offer emotional support, such as reassuring them that they’re not alone and validating their feelings.
When supporting someone with anxiety, it’s important to remember that anxiety is normal. Even on their best days, it’s common for someone to feel anxious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 40 million adults in the United States have anxiety disorders. Supporting someone with anxiety can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
How to talk to someone about Anxiety
When talking to someone with anxiety, be sure to be gentle and patient. Anxiety is an irrational feeling, and while you may not share their fears, you should try to understand what they’re feeling. They may have already told themselves “don’t worry” a billion times, and so repeating it will just make things worse. Stay calm and stay patient – the anxiety sufferer won’t like you making assumptions.
Be supportive and encourage the person to get professional help. Anxiety can be very difficult to deal with on your own, and professional help can be invaluable. Licensed mental health counselors can help you learn new coping strategies and tools for healthy living. This type of support can be de-stigmatized.
Encouraging the person to get help with their Anxiety
While you may not understand why someone may be suffering from anxiety, you can help them by understanding what they’re going through and encouraging them to seek help. While there are a variety of effective anxiety treatments available, talk therapy is the best first step. If you’re not sure where to start, try seeking counseling at your local health center or seeking the advice of a spiritual leader. You can also seek support from groups that deal with anxiety. For example, the National Alliance on Mental Illness has affiliates across the country. The group also provides educational programs and other resources to help people manage anxiety.
When supporting a loved one with anxiety, try to understand what they’re worried about. This is important for two reasons: First, it shows that you’re serious about helping them. Second, understanding their concerns shows them that you want to be a supportive and nonjudgmental person. In addition, you can help them get help by being a supportive listener.
