How to Help Someone With Anxiety
If you suspect that someone in your life may be suffering from anxiety, you might want to know how to support them. Here are some suggestions on how to approach this issue. First, learn about the symptoms of anxiety and how to talk to someone about it. These tips are not just for those who are suffering from anxiety – they can help you understand the condition more deeply and help them get over it. The following article will also cover the most important questions to ask when approaching a person with anxiety.
What Are The Signs Of Anxiety
Anxiety symptoms may affect a person’s daily life or affect a single situation. These symptoms can be physical or mental. Symptoms of anxiety may cause a person to avoid certain situations or look both ways while driving. These symptoms are not dangerous or harmful and will subside once the anxiety has abated. However, these symptoms can be mistaken for physical problems. If you’re suffering from shortness of breath or trouble sleeping, see a doctor.
If your day-to-day anxiety becomes more intense and interferes with your life, you should see a mental healthcare professional. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and prescribe the proper treatment. However, you should never ignore the signs of anxiety, as they may be a sign of a medical condition. If the symptoms of anxiety are becoming incapacitating, you should seek medical help immediately. You can begin treatment immediately.
What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety
One of the most distressing symptoms of anxiety is heart palpitations. People who experience heart palpitations may feel that their heart is racing, missing beats, or pounding in their chest. Others may feel their heart pounding in their neck or throat, or they may experience a dull, aching sensation in their head. A person suffering from anxiety should seek medical advice for this condition. Your GP can assess whether you suffer from anxiety, and may refer you to a specialist.
Paying attention to your breathing and thoughts can help you decrease anxiety symptoms. You must keep your body calm and aware while deep, slow breathing. This is important because it helps you control your emotions. Try using a guided meditation if you’re unsure of how to begin. For beginners, Dr. Barsky recommends starting with gentle exercises, then building up to more challenging workouts and stretches. Even a few minutes of physical activity a day can reduce the effects of anxiety.
How To Support Somone With Anxiety
If you are a friend or family member of someone who has anxiety, here are some things you can do to help. First, listen carefully. While you may have strong feelings or your own anxieties, don’t try to control your loved one’s feelings. Instead, show compassion, make them feel comfortable with you, and encourage them to discuss their feelings. You may also find it helpful to talk on the phone to reduce their anxiety.
Always listen without judgment. Don’t pressure them to talk about their feelings or share your own, as this will only make the situation worse. Don’t make suggestions or offer advice. Instead, simply be a patient ear. Sometimes the person you love needs to hear something that might not even be on their mind at the time. If that’s the case, reassure them that they’re not the only one who feels this way.
How to talk to someone about Anxiety
Many people who have anxiety complaints will tell you that they can’t “snap out of it” when they talk about it. The truth is, however, that anxiety is often a crippling disorder. Knowing that the fear is irrational does not make it so. The most important thing is to listen to the person and make sure to understand what they are trying to communicate. Unless the person with anxiety is willing to talk about what’s causing their anxiety, it’s very unlikely that the other person will be able to help you.
Many people confuse anxiety with discomfort. This is a common mistake, since anxiety isn’t simply being uncomfortable in certain situations. It is illogical and outside of your control. The person with anxiety may be too scared to open up, so being understanding and supportive can help. You don’t have to understand, but your presence can make them feel better. It can also help to give them space to talk about their fears, which can reduce their anxiety.
Encouraging the person to get help with their Anxiety
Trying to help a person with anxiety is easier said than done. First, the person with anxiety needs to acknowledge that their alarm system is broken and needs to find ways to cope. For example, you can break down difficult tasks into manageable parts and talk about possible solutions. You also need to acknowledge that you are not the person suffering from anxiety, and that the person has some autonomy. If you are unable to help the person with anxiety, you may be inflicting considerable stress on your relationship.
One of the best ways to help a loved one with anxiety is to talk to them about it. It will not make the anxiety go away overnight, but it will help them feel understood and safe. Try not to force the conversation, but instead, let the person know that you are available for them and interested in hearing about their anxiety. Remember that the purpose of the conversation is not to fix the problem, but to offer support. Be sure to be very present while talking to them.
