Anxiety is America’s most common mental health concern. Most of the time, people affected by this issue don’t have symptoms severe enough to disrupt their lives. However, all too often, recurring or constant feelings of anxiousness have a debilitating effect. In these situations, an anxiety treatment program may be essential for an effective recovery. At Crossroads, we also feature a program for women affected by drug or alcohol addiction. The treatment we provide supports an adequate return to health and well-being.
Learning how to help someone with anxiety is the first step to providing support for your loved one. In addition to treatment, people with severe anxiety need plenty of love. They also need an effective personal support network. You can help provide this love and support by following a few expert recommendations.
Educating Yourself on Various Kinds of Anxiety Disorders
Educating yourself on the different anxiety disorders can support and help someone with anxiety. It’s easy to think of anxiety as a single mental health condition. However, in reality, life-disrupting anxiety can manifest in various ways. Diagnosable mental health issues classified as anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Specific phobia
- Agoraphobia
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, was also included in this group of illnesses. But today, doctors classify it with conditions known as trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
Each anxiety disorder produces similar underlying feelings such as worry, fear, and dread. However, the source of these feelings and the circumstances of their occurrence vary from condition to condition. Awareness of the differences between anxiety disorders can help you better understand the illness affecting your loved one. In this way, it can also help make you a more effective supporting ally.
How to Help Someone with Anxiety by Identifying Common Anxiety Indicators
Episodes of serious anxiety sometimes occur out of nowhere. But much of the time, they’re preceded by certain telltale signs. Your friend or family member may be aware of what’s happening to them. However, they may also lack this self-awareness. If you know what to look for, you can potentially help defuse a crisis before it has a chance to escalate.
How can you tell when anxiety levels are ramping up? The list of things you may notice in your loved one includes:
- Lightheadedness
- Excessive sweating
- Rapid breathing
- Racing thoughts
- Thoughts that emphasize worst-case scenarios
- A strong urge to avoid a given situation
You may also notice increased outbursts of frustration or irritability.
Help with Anxiety and Accepting Without Enabling
The effects of anxiety disorders are very real to your affected friend or family member. That’s true even when their thoughts and behaviors don’t match up with your sense of reality. It’s important to acknowledge the effects of anxiety-related illness. This acceptance helps keep you from downplaying your loved one’s experiences.
But be aware that enabling a person with an anxiety disorder is possible. As a rule, this happens when your attempts to accommodate your loved one could actually reinforce their symptoms. It can be challenging to identify the line between accepting and enabling. To clarify the difference, talk to your loved one’s treatment provider.
Turn to Crossroads to Learn More About How to Help Someone with Anxiety
Have more questions about helping your loved one with anxiety? Contact the professionals at Crossroads. Our timely advice will help you make wise, supportive decisions. Anxiety disorders and substance problems often occur together. At Crossroads, we offer specialized treatment for these combined conditions. Our targeted approach helps your loved one overcome debilitating anxiety. While at the same time promoting lasting recovery from drug or alcohol problems. Our treatment plans are fully customized to meet each person’s unique needs.
To learn more, just call Crossroads today at 877.978.1667. We’re standing by to assist you.
