22/02/2020

5 Things You Can Do For Someone With Anxiety

This blog post is for anyone who has experienced a friend or loved one with anxiety, especially when they are grieving. I understand if this is an uncomfortable topic to talk about, but I want to assure you that it's okay and normal to experience anxiety during such a difficult time.

5 things you can do for someone with anxiety. This blog post is for anyone who has experienced a friend or loved one with anxiety, especially when they are grieving. I understand if this is an uncomfortable topic to talk about, but I want to assure you that it's okay and normal to experience anxiety during such a difficult time. It can be really scary and it might make them feel like no one understands what they're going through; however, there are many people in the world who either have felt anxious or know someone else who has felt anxious while grieving. They aren't alone with these feelings! 5 things that you can do to help someone with anxiety whilst having an anxiety attack have been listed below and I hope that you find them helpful.

Don't Ignore Their Messages

When someone with an anxious mind texts you to reach out, don't ignore their message. To the person who is struggling with anxiety this could feel as if you don't care about what they are going through or are annoyed with them which can be very hurtful because of how much these attacks affect people in different ways depending on severity. We know that sometimes it's hard responding right away when our loved ones need us most; however just letting them know "I'm here for you whenever" will make them feel supported.

Ask How You Can Help

Everyone deals with anxiety differently - some people like to be left alone to gather their thoughts and take deep breaths, some will like to have you with them to distract their mind or give them a hug and others just need you to sit with them and hold their hand. It is best to ask them how you can help them so that when they do have an attack you know what to do to help.

Understand Everyday Tasks and Situations Can Be Overwhelming 

Anxiety can affect so many aspects of a person's life! Sometimes just getting to work is hard because they're finding it hard to simply wake up and get ready without struggling to breathe or being sick, sometimes driving somewhere unknown can bring on anxiety incase they get lost or away from their comfort zone and for some people even just going to the pub for a drink can bring on anxiety because of the crowds and noise. Understanding the person and their anxiety and accepting it without making them feel bad is absoluely necessary to help them.

Learn To Notice Signs Of An Attack

When you've known someone a while you get used to noticing the little tell tale signs before an attack is about to happen. They might start taking deep breaths, looking around alot, go quiet when they are usually quite chatty, start biting their nails or picking their skin or seem as though they are not paying attention to you. When you start to notice the signs, begin helping them with the techniques you've discussed (as above) stay calm and keep reassuring them.

Don't Make Them Feel Bad About Having Anxiety

As an anxiety sufferer there is nothing worse than the added pressure of trying to look and act normal when inside you're screaming! Making the person feel bad, or guilty or like they are an inconvenience will only make them worse and make their anxiety worse. Put yourself in their shoes, how would you feel if someone was making you feel that way? Encourage them, reassure them and ask how you can help them.

If you need further support on how to help someone struggling with anxiety, then please check out these articles by MIND.

Article written by EMMA THOMSON
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