How to help someone with anxiety – 5 tips
Advertisements
Read our text and discover 5 ways to help someone suffering from... some kind of anxiety disorder.
Brazil is the most anxious country in the world. According to data released by the WHO in 2019, approximately 18.6 million people suffer from anxiety in our country.
The environment in which a person is immersed can either help or hinder their fight against anxiety.
Therefore, it is important to be prepared to deal with a person suffering from this disorder and to be able to support them in the best way possible.
In today's article, you will find ways to How to help someone with anxiety.
Don't miss it!
What is anxiety?
If we were to give a clear definition for the most common psychiatric disorders, we would say that:
Depression is suffering over things of the past, stress over things of the present, and anxiety over future events.
The main characteristic of anxiety disorder is excessive thinking and worrying about a situation that has not yet occurred.
Certainly, anxiety is part of our daily lives, and some people are able to control this feeling better than others.
However, when these emotions get out of control and become constant, disrupting a person's life and leading to other conditions, especially physical ones, it's time to seek professional help.
Before you find out How to help someone with anxiety, Learn what the main symptoms of this disorder are.
What are the main symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric illnesses with different stages and patterns, where the main characteristic is excessive and continuous worry that something bad or negative will happen.
However, there are other primary symptoms and conditions depending on the anxiety disorder, stage, and individual.
Therefore, among the main symptoms of anxiety, we find, for example:
- Sweating;
- Cardiac arrhythmia;
- Lack of concentration;
- Tiredness;
- Excessive fear;
- Insomnia;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Tachycardia.
Now, see below how to help someone in this situation.
1. How to help someone with anxiety – Be careful with your words.
In a situation like this, what a person hears can either help or worsen the situation.
Sometimes, even unintentionally, we end up using phrases that should be avoided.
A person with an anxiety disorder is not in that condition because they want to be, or because they lack the willpower to get out of it.
So, avoid phrases like:
- Everything will be alright;
- It will pass;
- Don't think about it;
- Nothing bad will happen;
- I'm anxious too;
- It was something I did.
In this case, it's important to set words aside and focus more on actions.
For example, help the person focus on their breathing, invite them for a walk to distract themselves in a place where they feel better.
Furthermore, show that you are there for her and let her know that you will be there for whatever she needs and whatever happens.
2. Learn to listen more.
The second form of How to help someone with anxiety It's simply a complement to the first one.
It's essential to learn to listen and talk less. Remember, it's not about you; don't draw attention to yourself and your problems.
If the idea is to help someone, then focus on that. Listen more; if you don't know what to say, just offer your ears, your hand, and your shoulder to cry on.
3. How to help someone with anxiety – Don't be aggressive. Be patient.
Offer support, but without pressuring them. Trying to force someone to improve will only make things worse.
She will feel worse and her self-esteem may be affected.
4. Maintain control and balance over the situation.
Show genuine concern, but avoid excessive worry. The person should feel welcomed and loved.
However, excessive worry can make a person feel suffocated and trapped, which can worsen or trigger a crisis.
5. Advise seeking professional help.
In a friendly and cordial conversation, offer professional help. Before starting this dialogue, research a trustworthy professional and determine the best approach.
Certainly, there are other ways to How to help someone with anxiety, However, pay attention to the options we've mentioned here.
Your help will certainly be useful, but it's important to know the correct way to do it.
Finally, don't forget to check out these 4 must-have recipes for your [kit/kit/etc.]. Christmas dinner.
