7 Things You Can Do to Help Someone With Anxiety
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Anxiety can be a difficult condition to understand if you don't suffer from it. If you have close friends or family members who deal with anxiety, you can be a huge help by being there for them. There are a few simple things you can do that will make a world of a difference when helping somebody harness their nerves. Keep reading for some tips.
1. Ask how you can be helpful.
Everyone deals with anxiety attacks in different ways. Some people want to have space while others will want you to be close by. The easiest way to help someone is to ask them how to do so. The first step is having a conversation.
2. Be understanding.
Telling someone that you don't understand why they're having anxiety or making them feel bad about it will definitely not help. Many people can't explain why panic attacks come on; they just do. As long as you approach the subject with zero judgment and an open mind, your loved one will be more willing to explain their feelings to you.
3. Try to look for signs.
Again, everybody's anxiety develops differently, but knowing what to look for when an attack is coming on is important. Some people have a hard time breathing, become lightheaded, or get very quiet. Once you know anxiety is being triggered, you can help more quickly.
4. Find activities that can distract them from their anxiety.
Take their mind off of the anxiety with an activity. Getting some fresh air, taking a walk, or filling in a coloring book have been known to help. Sometimes even just having a conversation about something they love is a positive distraction.
5. Don't make a scene.
Whether you're at home or out in public, being dramatic is the last thing a person needs while dealing with anxiety. Stay calm and comforting, and don't raise your voice or get too overexcited or agitated.
6. Help them stay positive.
When you're going through a time in life when your anxiety is bad, sometimes it feels like you will never be able to escape it. Helping anxious people remember good memories or positive times in their life can help them get out of that slump.
7. Just be someone that they feel like they can go to.
Nobody is asking you to be around 24/7, but if a person suffering from anxiety knows that there's someone they can talk to for comfort, that's helpful in itself.