How to Help a Loved One With Anxiety

According to the Healthy Place website, "Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 19.1 million (13.3 percent) of the adult U.S. population (ages 18 to 54) affected." With such a large number of people affected, it is possible that someone you know may suffer from anxiety. In this event, it is important that you know how to approach the situation and to help.

Instructions

Helping a Loved One With Anxiety

• 1

  Be supportive. It is important to recognize that although your loved one's fears may seem irrational, to her they are very real. Support your loved one through words of encouragement and positivity. This does not mean, however, to allow your loved one to cut themselves off from the world to avoid her fears.

• 2

  Recommend seeking professional assistance. If you notice that your loved one is not coping well on his own, recommend that he seek out counseling or that he mention how he has been feeling to their doctor. There are many different ways in which to receive assistance for anxiety, be it medication, relaxation therapy, group counseling or one-on-one sessions.

• 3

  Remember to think about yourself too. Do not let your loved one's anxiety control your life. You are still human and should still be able to enjoy doing things you love. Help your loved one as much as you can, but do not forget to take care of yourself as well.