6 Great Ways To Support Someone With Anxiety Disorder

The term anxiety is not new to us. We all suffer from it from time to time, whether while working on a big project or before making a big decision for the organization. But when this becomes a persistent phenomenon that does not end after some time, it can be termed an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety symptoms can affect an individual's life by influencing their ability to make healthy decisions for themselves, their family, and others. Furthermore, it affects your daily activities, such as performance at the workplace and other fronts of your life.

Various types of anxiety disorders exist today. Some of them include generalized anxiety disorder, phobia-related disorders, panic disorders, etc.

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health,  some of the symptoms of anxiety disorder is as listed below:

• Feeling antsy, agitated, or tense

• Becoming exhausted quickly

• Having trouble concentrating on work

• Getting irritated easily

• Tension in the muscles

• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry

• Sleep issues, restlessness, or inadequate sleep

Other symptoms of anxiety disorders include sweating, trembling, shaking, shortness of breath, pounding heartbeat, or an accelerated heart rate.

What Are the Risk Factors Involved?

According to research, both genetic and environmental factors tend to have a role in the development of anxiety disorders. Although the risk factors for each form of anxiety disorder differ, certain common risk factors apply to all anxiety disorders:

• Traits such as behavioral inhibition in childhood or shyness

• Early childhood or adulthood exposure to stressful and unfavorable life or environmental events

• Biological relations with a history of anxiety or other mental diseases

• Some physical health concerns, such as thyroid issues or cardiac arrhythmias, and coffee and other substances/medications, can cause or exacerbate anxiety symptoms; a physical health assessment can aid in diagnosing an anxiety disorder

How Can You Support Someone With An Anxiety Disorder?

When individuals go through an anxiety disorder, they constantly need the support of their friends and family to make them feel comfortable and help them to come back into the normal mental phase.

Here are some top ways using which you can support individuals who are suffering from such disorders:

#1. Ask Them About the Problem.

If you notice someone around you suffering from anxiety, please consider asking them if they are alright or why they look tense. This will usually come as a pleasant relief to the person, as they will realize that they are not alone in their concern. 

This talk allows the individual to recognize that there are people who care about them, want to listen to them, and want to help them feel better.

#2. Listen to Them.

While looking forward to supporting a person with anxiety disorder, it's necessary to listen to the entire problem as there are very few people who actively listen to the issues of others.

If you are able, see the person frequently or connect with them on phone calls to aid with anxiety management. Spend one-on-one time with them so that they can talk about anything that is causing them anxiety.

#3. Keep a Check on Frustration.

It's natural to get frustrated, worried, or tired when you volunteer to help people with anxiety. It's probable that their worries are affecting you as well. 

To overcome this, take out some time for your own mental peace and add more positivity to your life. You can also start focusing on exercises, read new books and practice meditation for yourself.

#4. Avoid Undue Pressure.

There are times when we unintentionally push the other person to speak about their problems. If they are not open to sharing the reasons for the anxiety, try doing it gradually by allowing the person to become comfortable with you.

This is something they should work towards gradually with competent therapeutic assistance. If you try to push them too far, you risk damaging your relationship's trust and causing substantial stress.

#5. Don't Talk About Anxiety Every Time You Meet.

If you're with the individual or chatting with them, don't bring up their fear or ask questions about it all the time. Instead, keep the conversation moving and allow them to discuss it if they so desire. They won't feel so compelled to talk about their worry if they don't want to.

#6. Introduce Them to New People or Techniques to Overcome Anxiety.

Once you have found the root cause of their anxiety, you could introduce them to people who can solve their problems or help them overcome their fear. It might be an individual or a support group that helps people in achieving the same.

Various stress management strategies and meditation can also help persons with anxiety disorders calm down and boost the therapeutic effects. According to studies, aerobic exercise appears to assist some people in controlling their anxiety; nevertheless, exercise should not be used in place of regular care, and further research is needed.

Getting Help For Anxiety Disorder Is Key

Having an anxiety disorder is, unfortunately, very common in today's landscape. However, if the individual with the concern hasn't yet sought professional help despite anxiety substantially influencing their daily lives, it can become a bigger problem in the future. If someone you love faces such issues, you need to let them know that there is hope for their condition. If they get professional help from specialists who understand how to deal with anxiety, they can provide all of the necessary assistance and support to help them overcome their problems.

Our team of specialists at The Forge Recovery Center can help with various stress management strategies and medication in supporting someone who's going through the painful experience of an anxiety disorder. You can call our helpline number today to learn more about how we can assist.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

May 4, 2022