5 Ways To Help Your Anxious Friend
Many of us know someone who struggles with anxiety. Many times we feel unable to help them. These few simple tips could help you be prepared for the next time your friend or loved one needs you.
Listen. Be an active listener. Don’t listen to respond, just listen. So often we talk ourselves right into a solution and all we need is a pair of ears to listen.
This week I interviewed friend of Kylen Edwards, Shyanne Skinner- from a previous interview- and what she found most helpful to help her friend.
“Try to understand… Instead of just coming up with a thought in your head and just waiting for them to stop and try to say it to them just actually listen” -Shyanne Skinner
Help them understand their triggers. Identifying triggers are key to creating a plan of attack. Often your friend will talk their way into identifying these triggers but provoke this sort of searching with helpful questions about what is stressing them out.
In my last article, I went into a little more depth about this so check it out.
Healthy distractions help. Sharing a funny video with your friend can help lighten the mood and ease their immediate tensions. Take your friend out, treat them to a nice night in. You’ll know your friend best and what can help distract them. Just reminding them that they can laugh can be a huge help.
Don’t solve it! The advice and solutions you throw out don’t always help. They can seem to cast judgement whether you intend it or not. Stay positive and give them what they cannot give themselves at that time. Anxiety can be targeted and talked through but GAD lives in all crannies of a person’s life and feels like utter impending doom. Your suggestions aren’t always what someone needs to hear.
Read more about what to avoid saying here.
Don’t be afraid to seek help. As always, seek professional help if your usual support systems just aren’t quite enough. No harm in seeking outside assistance especially with a professional trained to deal with such problems.
