When someone you love is suffering from an anxiety disorder, it doesn't just affect the sufferer.
Like other psychological disorders, there is a ripple effect.
Family members, friends and even co-workers often need help with anxiety as they too can feel the emotional repercussions.
Often, the people living with the sufferer feel the most immediate effects.
Because the loved one may feel like they are constantly "walking on eggshells".
Often a person needing help with anxiety realizes the effects they are having on others - but it's not enough to stop their anxiety.
Like any other psychological disorder, he or she requires treatment, compassion and understanding.
Self-realization isn't enough to fix the problem or even help with anxiety.
Many families suffer needlessly for years before requesting that the sufferer pursue treatment.
The harm it can do in the meantime is substantial, as each member is forced to adapt to the disorder.
This kind of adaption can create a co-dependent dynamic, where loved ones change fundamental aspects of themselves in order to "keep the peace.
" This article will talk about the first 3 of the 6 steps.
So How Do You Approach A Loved One? So how do you approach a loved one when he or she has a disorder that is becoming increasingly unmanageable? How do you have "the talk" and ensure that it's constructive? How can you lovingly, yet tactfully ask your loved one to get help with anxiety? For starters it's important to do your homework before you talk with your loved one about his or her anxiety disorder.
Many think anxiety, like depression, is something you can just "shake off.
" But it's not.
You must know your facts before you talk with your loved one - it's a psychological disorder like any and deserves recognition as such.
Remember, you are an ally.
The sufferer can often receive help with anxiety in a number of ways with the support of a loved one.
Here are some basic pointers: 1.
Create a comfortable setting.
A heart-to-heart talk about the ways in which a loved one's anxiety disorder are affecting you are best served in a quiet comfortable environment.
For busy families, this isn't always easy to do! But for someone needing help with anxiety, it's a necessity.
He or she is much more able to be receptive when feeling calm and safe.
2.
Overall check-in.
You may want to jump immediately into the ways that your loved one's anxiety issues are affecting you, but this can often feel like an attack and lead to more problems or an emotional shutdown.
As a first step, inquire about their overall health.
Anxiety can have many root causes, some of which include physical problems (thyroid or hormonal imbalances, adrenal exhaustion, food allergies, etc).
By understanding their general state of health, you can better know how to help with anxiety.
In addition, people often feel more able to talk about their physical health than their mental health.
In short, it's a good, informational opener to your conversation.
3.
Touch and Talk.
The power of physical touch can't be underestimated.
It can often be a powerful aid when your loved one is experiencing an anxiety attack.
When you discuss with the sufferer the ways in which his or her anxiety is affecting you, remember that a little hand-holding or gentle touching is a reminder that you care and helps the two of you feel genuinely connected, like a team, approaching a problem together.
These are the first 3 of 6 steps that you must keep in mind when telling to a loved one it's time to get help.
Like other psychological disorders, there is a ripple effect.
Family members, friends and even co-workers often need help with anxiety as they too can feel the emotional repercussions.
Often, the people living with the sufferer feel the most immediate effects.
Because the loved one may feel like they are constantly "walking on eggshells".
Often a person needing help with anxiety realizes the effects they are having on others - but it's not enough to stop their anxiety.
Like any other psychological disorder, he or she requires treatment, compassion and understanding.
Self-realization isn't enough to fix the problem or even help with anxiety.
Many families suffer needlessly for years before requesting that the sufferer pursue treatment.
The harm it can do in the meantime is substantial, as each member is forced to adapt to the disorder.
This kind of adaption can create a co-dependent dynamic, where loved ones change fundamental aspects of themselves in order to "keep the peace.
" This article will talk about the first 3 of the 6 steps.
So How Do You Approach A Loved One? So how do you approach a loved one when he or she has a disorder that is becoming increasingly unmanageable? How do you have "the talk" and ensure that it's constructive? How can you lovingly, yet tactfully ask your loved one to get help with anxiety? For starters it's important to do your homework before you talk with your loved one about his or her anxiety disorder.
Many think anxiety, like depression, is something you can just "shake off.
" But it's not.
You must know your facts before you talk with your loved one - it's a psychological disorder like any and deserves recognition as such.
Remember, you are an ally.
The sufferer can often receive help with anxiety in a number of ways with the support of a loved one.
Here are some basic pointers: 1.
Create a comfortable setting.
A heart-to-heart talk about the ways in which a loved one's anxiety disorder are affecting you are best served in a quiet comfortable environment.
For busy families, this isn't always easy to do! But for someone needing help with anxiety, it's a necessity.
He or she is much more able to be receptive when feeling calm and safe.
2.
Overall check-in.
You may want to jump immediately into the ways that your loved one's anxiety issues are affecting you, but this can often feel like an attack and lead to more problems or an emotional shutdown.
As a first step, inquire about their overall health.
Anxiety can have many root causes, some of which include physical problems (thyroid or hormonal imbalances, adrenal exhaustion, food allergies, etc).
By understanding their general state of health, you can better know how to help with anxiety.
In addition, people often feel more able to talk about their physical health than their mental health.
In short, it's a good, informational opener to your conversation.
3.
Touch and Talk.
The power of physical touch can't be underestimated.
It can often be a powerful aid when your loved one is experiencing an anxiety attack.
When you discuss with the sufferer the ways in which his or her anxiety is affecting you, remember that a little hand-holding or gentle touching is a reminder that you care and helps the two of you feel genuinely connected, like a team, approaching a problem together.
These are the first 3 of 6 steps that you must keep in mind when telling to a loved one it's time to get help.