Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to HelpDuring a Panic AttackWhat Does Not HelpProfessional Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How to Help
During a Panic Attack
What Does Not Help
Professional Help
When your loved one is experiencing anxiety, you might be struggling with how to help them. Dealing with anxiety is very personal, and so is helping a loved one who is anxious. In general, it’s best to validate the person’s emotions rather than trying to argue with them or tell them that they are overreacting. At the same time, it’s OK to express concern as you guide your loved one toward getting help.
Many Types of AnxietyAnxiety is an overwhelming feeling of fear or worry. Some anxiety is a normal part of life, but many people experience extreme anxiety that can lead toanxiety disorders.There are several types of anxiety disorder. For example, someone withsocial anxietymay have trouble leaving the house or engaging with others. A person with apanic disordermay experience extreme bouts of anxiety that make it difficult to work or go about day-to-day activities.
Many Types of Anxiety
Anxiety is an overwhelming feeling of fear or worry. Some anxiety is a normal part of life, but many people experience extreme anxiety that can lead toanxiety disorders.There are several types of anxiety disorder. For example, someone withsocial anxietymay have trouble leaving the house or engaging with others. A person with apanic disordermay experience extreme bouts of anxiety that make it difficult to work or go about day-to-day activities.
Anxiety is an overwhelming feeling of fear or worry. Some anxiety is a normal part of life, but many people experience extreme anxiety that can lead toanxiety disorders.
There are several types of anxiety disorder. For example, someone withsocial anxietymay have trouble leaving the house or engaging with others. A person with apanic disordermay experience extreme bouts of anxiety that make it difficult to work or go about day-to-day activities.
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Ways to Help Someone With Anxiety
When someone is dealing with anxiety, it’s important to empathize with them and their feelings. It may be tempting to tell them to “snap out of it” or not to overreact, but saying those things is not helpful. Instead, validate what the person is feeling, while also directing them to seek help for their anxiety, through counseling or medication.
Anxiety affects 18% of the population, and it’s no one’s fault.
Over Text or Call
Supporting someone from afar can be challenging. It’s best to communicate in short, clear sentences. A person experience anxiety has a lot going on physically and emotionally, which can make it difficult to follow a conversation.
Here are some texts you could send:
In Person
If you are with someone who is experiencing anxiety, you can use all the same lines as above. However, there are additional tools you have since you are physically with your loved one. When you’re together, you can try:
To Help Them Sleep
Getting to sleep with anxiety can be difficult. If your loved one is struggling to sleep, try these techniques to help:
While it might seem helpful to share a glass of wine to help your loved one relax, alcohol can make sleep difficult and heighten anxiety. Instead, try sharing a caffeine-free cup of tea.
Steps to Help Someone Through a Panic Attack With Anxiety
Apanic attackis an acute bout of anxiety. It can be very scary for you, since your loved one can have physical symptoms like sweating and a racing heart.
Here’s how to help when someone is having a panic attack:
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How to Avoid Making Someone’s Anxiety Worse
For better or worse, there’s little that you can do to impact someone else’s anxiety levels. However, there are common mistakes that you can avoid. When someone is having anxiety, respond to what they’re feeling, rather than arguing that it’s an overreaction. Remember, their feeling is real, even if logically you can see what it’s an outsized response.
Here are some things to avoid if you’re trying to help someone with anxiety:
Professional Anxiety Help to Consult
When anxiety begins to impact a person’s daily life, it’s time to seek professional help. Treatments for anxiety include daily medication, as-needed medication that can be used during panic attacks, and therapy.
Encourage your loved one to see a professional to discuss their anxiety. Offer to help them make appointments and find providers, but make sure that they’re working toward getting help too. It’s important that they want to get help, and are ready to put in the hard work.
Summary
Helping a loved one with anxiety can be a lot of work. Remember, it’s best to validate your loved one’s feelings. During calmer moments, point out how their anxiety is impacting their life. Encourage them to seek professional help, and give them assistance if they want it.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.Johns Hopkins.How to help someone with anxiety.NAMI.How do I help someone experiencing a panic attack?Penn Medicine.Helping someone during a panic attack.Harvard Health.Tips for beating anxiety to get a better night’s sleep.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.Johns Hopkins.How to help someone with anxiety.NAMI.How do I help someone experiencing a panic attack?Penn Medicine.Helping someone during a panic attack.Harvard Health.Tips for beating anxiety to get a better night’s sleep.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.Johns Hopkins.How to help someone with anxiety.NAMI.How do I help someone experiencing a panic attack?Penn Medicine.Helping someone during a panic attack.Harvard Health.Tips for beating anxiety to get a better night’s sleep.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.
Johns Hopkins.How to help someone with anxiety.
NAMI.How do I help someone experiencing a panic attack?
Penn Medicine.Helping someone during a panic attack.
Harvard Health.Tips for beating anxiety to get a better night’s sleep.
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