How to Cope With a Person Who Has Anxiety

Anxiety disorders can be almost as frustrating and frightening for friends and family as it is for the person who suffers from the disorder. Regardless of where they fall in the range from mild to severe, anxiety disorders can be managed and overcome. Overcoming anxiety disorders does, however, require the support of friends and family.

Instructions

How to Cope With a Person Who Has Anxiety

• 1

  Learn about anxiety disorders. This will help you know what to expect and will increase your understanding of what your loved one is going through.

• 2

  Hire help. If your loved one can not go to the grocery store or perform other tasks, hire people to help with them rather than trying to do it all yourself.

• 3

  Be predictable so that the anxiety sufferer will know what to expect from you. The safer you feel to a person with anxiety, the easier tasks that inspire fear will be for both of you.

• 4

  Be supportive, but avoid becoming an enabler. If a situation causes anxiety, strive for compromise. Making a small step forward is better than allowing a person to completely avoid that which causes anxiety.

• 5

  Get counseling for yourself. People who love a person with an anxiety disorder often feel anger, guilt, confusion and resentment.

• 6

  Share your feelings. The fact that someone has an anxiety disorder does not mean that you must hide your own hopes and fears from them.

• 7

  Take time for yourself. Don't get so caught up in helping another person that you stop taking care of you.