How to Help Someone With Anxiety

If you have never experienced anxiety or suffered from a panic attack, you may wonder how you can help others who struggle with the disorder. The first and most important step is to avoid dismissing or diminishing the person’s experience. You may be unable to relate, but that does not make the person’s experience with the disorder any less real or valid.

You might also support your loved one by learning the visual signs and signals of anxiety so that you can help in their efforts to stop the surge of emotion in its tracks. Here are a few things to watch for:

• Compulsive behavior, like washing hands repeatedly
• Unexplained frustration or irritability
• Second-guessing or feelings of insecurity
• Avoidance of social situations or other triggering events

When you see your loved one exhibiting one or more of these behaviors, it may be time to gently intervene. Offer your validation and support and express your concern in a loving way. If the behavior begins to interfere with the person’s school or work responsibilities or otherwise affect their quality of life, it’s time to recommend professional help.