Understanding Anxiety: How to Offer Real Support Without Overstepping
Anxiety is a common emotion that many people deal with at some point in their lives. You may feel anxious before giving a big presentation or going on a first date with someone.
These examples of anxiety typically go away on their own. Someone living with an anxiety disorder won’t have the same luxuries. They may battle anxiety daily and have a difficult time controlling their thoughts and feelings.
If you’ve never dealt with this level of anxiety before, it may be difficult to understand what a loved one who is struggling with it is going through.
This is how you can offer real support without overstepping.
Educate Yourself
Understanding anxiety is one of the first steps to better support your loved ones. If you’re not quite sure about what anxiety is or how it can impact someone, try to take the time to do a little research. Learn more about the potential causes, signs and symptoms, and coping mechanisms. Taking the time to educate yourself can help you better understand what your loved one is going through. You’ll also have an easier time recognizing the changes that it may be bringing onto their life that you may not have noticed before your research.
Practice Active Listening
When a loved one is struggling, all you may want to do is try to help them resolve their problems. But it’s important to know that fixing someone’s problem or themselves isn’t the right approach when it comes to anxiety. Most of the time, someone struggling with anxiety just wants someone to be there for them. No matter how much you want to jump in to be the problem solver, try to show up for them however they may need you. This could mean listening to them, just being present for them, or they may ask for your specific help with some daily tasks and to-dos.
Validate Their Emotions
Even if you don’t necessarily understand their thoughts and emotions, ensure you’re taking the time to validate them. Try to avoid belittling how they’re feeling or telling them to just get over it. Instead, let your loved one know that you understand where they’re coming from and how they’re feeling is normal. Ask them how you can show up for them during this time to better support them.
Take Care of Yourself
If a family or friend is struggling, all you may want to do is help them. But it’s important to remember that you can’t help them unless you help yourself. You can’t expect to give to someone else if your cup is completely empty and running dry. Make sure you’re taking time for yourself, meeting your own wants and needs, and practicing self-care. Showing up for yourself allows you to show up for others.
Encourage Them to Seek Support
Sometimes you won’t be able to provide the support that your friend needs, no matter how many of these tips and tricks that you follow. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Sometimes your loved one’s anxiety can be too strong and can impact other areas of their life negatively. That doesn’t mean that your help meant nothing or that you didn’t do a good job of supporting them. When anxiety starts to get in the way of someone’s daily life and routine, it’s a good indicator that professional help is needed. Encourage your loved one to seek additional support through a licensed and trained mental health professional. You can even offer to drive them to their appointments or be there for them throughout this journey.
Reach out today for anxiety therapy if you or a loved one is interested in seeking help for their anxiety.
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