How to Help Manage a Loved One’s Anxiety

When someone you care about suffers from anxiety, it can feel both necessary and difficult to help them cope. When panic and/or anxiety attacks hit, they can lead to a number of symptoms that may overwhelm your loved one and make you feel helpless as you try to support them. Here are some tips to help you provide support to your friend or family member who experiences high anxiety and/or panic attacks.

Listen

Help your loved one feel less alone by showing them that they can talk to you without fear of judgment or unwanted advice. It will help them to know that they have a safe person to talk to even if it is about repetitive with fears or thoughts. While they are alone with these thoughts swirling in their head it is difficult to break free, but talking it out can reduce some of the anxiety.

Depending on the nature of the relationship, it may be appropriate to let them know that they can call or text you at any time to talk or to set clear expectations about when you can be available to them. You don’t have to be available all of the time, but you do have to mean it when you say that you will be there to talk.

Let Them Pace the Conversation

It might seem uncaring to avoid the topic of anxiety with your loved one, but even asking about anxiety or panic attacks may trigger an episode for someone who suffers with this disorder. It is fine to ask how they’re doing and discuss their anxiety if they want to. The important part is to let your loved on control the pacing of when and how to talk about their anxiety and how it impacts their life.

Be There

Spending time with a close friend or loved one can be very helpful. Try and find an activity that keeps you both having fun and mentally occupied. Exercise and outdoor activities may be especially helpful, as sunlight and exercise are well-documented mood boosters. Spending time with your friend or loved one provides both a meaningful distraction to keep their mind off of the anxiety and a chance for connection and acceptance.

Being with your loved one as they face situations that make them anxious can also be helpful.  Make sure to ask how to best support them through the situation.  If you see them getting anxious, would it help to remind them to breathe? To hold their hand? Or to just be near them as comfort?  Each person is different, so make sure that you are responding in the way that is most helpful to your loved one.

Be Patient

If you have never experienced a panic attack, you may struggle to understand what your friend or loved one is experiencing and why they can’t just stop overreacting. You may even have difficulty comprehending what it means to suffer with chronic, severe anxiety.  Your loved one may understand that it’s not logical for them to feel fear or anxiety about something, so it might be confusing why they can’t control their anxiety with that same knowledge.

Anxiety disorders are very treatable, but it will take time and an effort to learn how to change this painful pattern. They may also need the support of a trained therapist and possibly medication to get effective management of their anxiety.

Recognize Accomplishments

Make an effort to note when you see your loved one make improvements in managing their anxiety. Acknowledgement of positive change will reinforce the effort and  encourage them to keep working. It will also make your loved one feel seen and respected for the hard work they are putting in to getting healthier.

If you or a loved one is suffering with anxiety or panic disorder and needs help, check out my website for further tips, and feel free to contact me for a free consultation.