Anxiety is a common mental health challenge that affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly impact a person’s well-being and daily life. Whether your friend or relative has been diagnosed by a medical professional or seems to suffer from some of the common anxiety symptoms, learning how to help someone with anxiety is an invaluable skill.
From recognizing the signs of anxiety to encouraging the person to seek professional help, there are many ways you can provide support. Our guide will teach you to become a good listener, create a safe environment for your anxious friend, and offer long-term assistance to ensure their recovery.
Understanding Anxiety
To properly help a person who struggles with anxiety, you need to know what this mental health issue is and how it affects the person. Anxiety is a human stress response—a person may feel apprehensive about their future, work, studies, relationships, health, and other matters that are important to them.
While occasional anxiety is normal, in some cases, this condition persists and disrupts the life of the individual who suffers from it. If a person develops an anxiety disorder, they may have trouble controlling their emotions, avoiding scenarios that trigger their anxiety, and sticking to their normal routine.
Recognizing the Signs of Anxiety
There are numerous symptoms of anxiety you may be able to notice even without a trained eye. Here are a few common signs you should be on the lookout for:
- Irritability: Your friend seems on edge and agitated, raises their voice, and gets annoyed over minor things.
- Fatigue: The person looks tired, complains about their lack of energy, and sleeps more than usual.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Your friend is not focused during your conversations, appears absent-minded, and struggles to pay attention.
Listening to Your Friend
One of the best things you can do to support a person with anxiety is to talk to them. Choose a quiet, private place, find the right time for both of you, and have a heartfelt conversation with your friend.
Let them know you have noticed something is wrong, tell them you are there for them, and most importantly, listen to what they have to say. Your friend may open up about the reasons behind their recent behavior and confide in you if you allow them to speak.
Offering Anxiety Support
Reassure your friend that you are ready to help them manage their anxiety. Instead of coming up with solutions to their problem, ask the individual what they need—maybe they will require your assistance with tedious daily chores they cannot handle at the moment, or they will appreciate you checking up on them regularly.
If your friend tells you certain circumstances or people make them feel uneasy, do your best to help them avoid the triggers that amplify their anxiety. Accompany your friend when they leave the house and engage in relaxing activities together—for instance, physical exercise is known to reduce stress hormones.
Encouraging Professional Help
While your support will certainly be valuable for the person struggling with anxiety, only a mental health professional will be able to diagnose the issue and treat it. Talk to your friend about the benefits of therapy—a certified therapist will identify the disorder and equip the patient with the skills they need to cope with anxiety.
Offer to accompany your friend when they go to the doctor for the first time—it may be less scary for them to go to the therapist’s office if they have a trusted friend by their side. In the future, you will be able to adjust your support based on the recommendations of the mental health professional.
FAQs
What are the basic methods to help a person with anxiety?
The basic methods to assist an individual with anxiety are to talk to them, recognize the symptoms of anxiety, and be there for your friend.
How do you talk to a person with anxiety?
Have a private conversation with your friend, let them know you are worried about them, and listen to what they have to say.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Some of the most common signs of anxiety are irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Why is it important to help a person with anxiety?
If your friend suffers from an anxiety disorder that is not addressed, their life may be disrupted in many ways—from poor physical health to the inability to leave their house.
Should you take your friend to a therapist?
It is recommended to bring your friend to a mental health professional—a therapist will be able to properly diagnose and treat the disorder.
Supporting Your Friend Through Anxiety with Clear Mind Treatment
We hope that our tips will help you assist your loved one—sometimes, a listening ear and a short conversation are enough to put your friend on the path to recovery. In addition, reaching out to a therapist and getting a professional diagnosis will be beneficial for your friend.
Do you need to learn how to help someone with anxiety or any other mental health issue? Do not hesitate to get in touch with Clear Mind Treatment. Our trained specialists will be able to advise you, support your efforts, and talk to your friend in trouble.
