It’s worrying to see a loved one go through panic attacks and experience anxiety each day, but there are ways through which you can help. It begins with identifying the signs of extreme worry and learning the best ways to provide mental support and counselling to your loved one. If you have a friend, companion or loved one who fights with anxiety, it can be difficult to know what to say and how to stand up with them. Use your sense of humor in whatever ways seem appropriate.
It is not easy to become friend of your anxiety but yes, anything is possible because practice detaching from the anxiety and mood swings, while at the same time staying connected with the one who’s suffering. This might be the toughest of tasks, but it is absolutely essential one. Be willing to discuss the subject with the person, but carefully measure how and when this communication should occur.
Staying positive and thinking right is almost impossible during such times. One of the main reasons I avoid talking to people during this time is because they may feel bad give some positive shit which is not what I want of course. You know yourself the best- try starting small and appreciating small wins. Having a motivational self-talk session by looking at the mirror and giving yourself some positivity might help. Appreciate yourself for how far you have come and remind yourself about your strengths. You can discover more in this lifestyle magazine.
The best place to start would be to figure out when the anxiety started, is it now a constant thing does it come on and off or is it only happening at certain times and or is triggered by a specific thing. Trying to understand where it came from or when it starts will give you the much-needed insight into how you could then begin to try and resolve the issue and I know it’s hard to understand but it is possible thing.
Here are 17 ways to be a best supportive friend to someone with anxiety:
- Listen intensely and empathetically:
Question yourself how they are and listen with complete patience, and without thinking of the way you’ll show your response. So, listen intensely. Practice being completely present. Accept their feelings. For instance, “you’ll get through this” or “you are completely okay.” Thank them for opening their heart out with you. If you feel thankful towards yourself that would be the best feeling ever and a must try thing.
- Don’t try to fix them:
No one is shattered. Stop being emotional in your life. And your friend must have probably already done a huge amount of research and experimentation to know about their anxiety. You aren’t a mental health and try to focus on healing your mental health. So, giving too many coping ideas may feel like an additional load, and perhaps like they’re seen as concern. Your friend has been single-handedly surviving the devastating effects of anxiety. This makes them strong and brave for experiencing as much as they do. Revel in the personal triumphs when you know they’ve done something particularly hard.
- Let the anxiety be and try to talk with counsellor:
It might feel lie counter-intuitive, but let yourself learn that they can be anxious with you or in front of a psychologist or online counsellor, that you comprehend anxiety isn’t something they are selecting, and that you or psychologist or online counsellor won’t try to separate them out of their feelings. Try to get comfortable with your counsellor or with psychologist.
- Ask yourself what you require or what they want to do:
Different people with anxiety have diverse ways of coping. Meditation. workouts and breathing drills, for example, are supportive for a number of people and might be provide assistance for you but they might not help your friend. Many people suffering with anxiety ought to do somewhat active, such as work or aerobics. Ask your loved ones who is dealing with anxiety to consult psychiatrist or psychologist and know what works for them and how you can to help.
- Give them proper time and company so they can share feelings:
Along with the challenge of anxiety comes the challenge of trying to get the ideal and moral support. You may try various movement classes, behavioral therapy, mental health doctors, or meditation practices. Join with them and to do something with them. It’s less intimidating when with company.
- You must need to know that anxiety acts different on everyone:
Anxiety can be apparent as an intense exhaustion and can also lead to insomnia. It can be experienced as restlessness, distress, and an inability to think and focus. It leads to irritability for few, and unreasonable fears for others. Anxiety can also be seen as terrifying chest pains and rough muscle tension. The varied and sometimes misinterpreted symptoms of anxiety are real.
- Keep a check on people regularly:
By questioning, you make them feel that with your company, there’s always space for them to show their anxiety, it doesn’t need to be evaded, and they aren’t a burden. Sometimes in the middle of panic, it might be challenging for your friend to recognize what would help. If they aren’t sure, you can offer to go anywhere silent together, take a walk or simply book an online counselling session.
- Looking after yourself and giving some time:
Set clear boundaries with yourself about what you are and aren’t willing to do to help them. For instance, you might want to let your friend know you’re there for them if they need someone to talk to, but that you can’t talk when you’re in class or at work. Make sure you keep up with your social and fun activities, especially if supporting your friend is starting to get you a bit down.
If you’re starting get upset or down, speak to someone you trust perhaps a person who doesn’t know your friend, about how you’re feeling. If you feel like you need other support in addition to friends and family, get some support from a psychologist or other professional. Let yourself know there are some things you don’t feel able to help them with, and encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional.
- Show them a different perspective and motivate them to not to give up:
You don’t agree with their ideas about the things that make them anxious. It can help them consider that there are other ways to view the situation. For example, if they’re thinking ‘I’m definitely going to fail this exam’ you could reassure them that they’ve done lots of study, they’re well-prepared and they’re going to do a great job. Remember that challenging fears is different to dismissing their worries. You want to reassure them, not make them feel stupid. Ask your friend to tell you what they’re feeling anxious about, and specifically what they’re thinking.
- Relaxation and take a deep breath:
If your friend suddenly starts to experience negative emotions, calmly encourage your friend to slow their breathing by inhaling, holding it, and then exhaling for a count of 4 seconds each. It’s also a good idea to recommend some different relaxation strategies to them.
- Learn and study about anxiety:
Different types of anxiety problems have a notion common, but they also have important differences. Learning more about the particular type of problem your friend might be struggling with can help you understand and support them.
- Be open and welcoming towards everything:
It is common for people suffering from anxiety to not readily want to discuss their symptoms. Be prepared to offer your help several times, without being overly intrusive or overwhelming. Be clear you want to help them because you care. Address Whatever Is Causing Your Anxiety. If you’re anxious because Tax Day is rolling around and you haven’t completed your taxes yet, the simple solution is to do your taxes. We often cause ourselves anxiety by delaying things that we could do.
However, many times, the actual result is not as bad as we anticipated. De clutter Your House like having a messy and cluttered house can be reflecting what our brains feel like. And, taking the time to clean things up and get rid of things that we don’t need can be a good way to clear our heads as well. If you often experience stress and anxiety because you can’t find what you’re looking for or you’re running late because you’re not organized, this can do a lot in helping you to make progress.
- Reach out to your loved ones:
Telling a trusted friend or family member how you are feeling is a very personal decision, but those who are close to you can be a tremendous resource for handling anxiety. Talking to someone else, preferably in person, or by phone can offer a new perspective on your situation. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need. If you need someone to go with you to a movie, or for a walk, or just to sit with you for a time, speak up. No matter what, it is always comforting to talk to someone who cares about you.
- Physical activity or joining a gym:
Not a long-distance runner or athlete? This is probably not the moment to start extreme training. Remember though, that all forms of exercise are good for you and help ease the symptoms of anxiety. Even gentle forms of exercise, such as walking, yoga, etc. release those feel-good chemicals. If you are not able to do those immediately, do some stretching exercises at your desk, or take a short walk outside during lunch or dinner.
- Listen to music:
According to a 2015 study, people with mild or severe anxiety benefit from listening to soothing music. Music has been proven to lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Keep music available so that you can easily listen to your favorite songs or even nature sounds. Create playlists so that you can listen and get quick relief from symptoms. Research also shows that singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, which alleviates anxiety.
- Be kind to yourself:
Sometimes you just need to do something to help you feel better. That may mean getting a massage, or a soothing pampering session. To relax quickly, put a warmed heat wrap around your neck and shoulders. Close your eyes and relax the muscles in your face and neck. Sometimes it helps to simply disconnect from the noise of the world. Even if you only have five minutes, turn off your phone, computer, television and let the world turn without you for a little while. Silent time is soothing for me.
- Physical symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks:
The more intense anxiety often leads people to have physical symptoms like, increased heart rate, tingling in their hands, difficulty sleeping, pressured speech, and even panic attacks and other issues. In addition, many people with generalized anxiety disorder have an underlying “hot thought” or deep underlying worry that they are either going to die or go crazy when they feel extremely anxious (even if they rationally know in their calmer moments that this is not true. Some people who have had panic attacks then become anxious and fixated on the fear that they will have future panic attacks.
Lastly, depending on the reason for their anxiety, it may be simpler than my friend. The source if my friend’s anxiety is her thinking patterns, and that’s complicated. The source of your friend’s anxiety might be anxious circumstances, and it could just be changing their circumstances, and that’s simple. However, this is my answer based on my own experience. I am not a doctor, psychologist or qualified to give advice about treating anxiety in any way. I just try to be a good friend and how you can become friend with your anxiety.