There are a lot of things that you shouldn’t say to someone with anxiety, as it can make their condition worse. Some things you shouldn’t say include:
• It’s all in your head.
• Just relax.
• You’re making a big deal out of nothing.
• Everything will be fine.
• Don’t worry, I’m here for you.
These phrases invalidate the person’s experience and can make them feel like they are not being heard or understood. It is important to be supportive and understanding towards someone with anxiety, as it is a very real and debilitating condition.
Calm Down!
10 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults. And yet, despite its prevalence, anxiety is still highly stigmatized and misunderstood. If you have anxiety, you know that people often say things that unintentionally make you feel worse. Here are 10 things you should never say to someone with anxiety:
1. “Just calm down.” If only it were that easy! Anxiety is an irrational fear or worry that can be overwhelming and debilitating. It’s not something that can be turned on or off at will. Telling someone with anxiety to “just calm down” is like telling a depressed person to “just cheer up.” It’s condescending and insulting.
2. “It’s all in your head.” Yes, anxiety is a mental illness, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real or valid. Just because something is psychological doesn’t make it any less real or serious. Would you tell a cancer patient that their disease is “all in their head” and they just need to think positive thoughts? No? Then don’t say it to someone with anxiety either.
3. “You’re just overreacting.” Anxiety can cause people to react strongly to seemingly innocuous situations because we’re constantly on edge and anticipating the worst possible outcome. Tell us we’re overreacting and we’ll only feel more irrational and out of control. Trust us, we already know we’re overreacting; we don’t need you to point it out!
It’s All in Your Head
How to Talk to Someone with Anxiety
If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone with anxiety, you know that it can be a bit…intense. They may seem preoccupied, easily distracted, or even agitated. And if you’re not used to talking to someone with anxiety, it can be easy to say the wrong thing without meaning to.
So what should you avoid saying to someone with anxiety? Here are a few things:
1. “It’s all in your head.” While it’s true that anxiety is largely driven by our thoughts, telling someone that their symptoms are “all in their head” invalidates their experience and makes them feel like they’re crazy. It also suggests that the solution is simply to think differently, which is much easier said than done.
2. “Just relax.” Again, this invalidates the person’s experience and makes them feel like they’re doing something wrong by being anxious. It also implies that relaxation is a choice, which it often isn’t. Relaxation techniques can be helpful for some people with anxiety, but they don’t work for everyone and sometimes aren’t possible in the moment of intense anxiety.
3. “You’re overreacting.” This one communicates judgment and suggests that the person’s reaction is out of proportion to what they’re actually experiencing or perceiving. It can make the person feel like their feelings are wrong or unreasonable, which only adds to their distress.
Everything Will be Fine
10 Reasons Why
1. “Everything will be fine.”
This phrase is often said in an attempt to comfort someone who is anxious or upset. However, it can actually have the opposite effect. For someone who is already feeling insecure and anxious, hearing that everything will be fine can feel like a brush-off. It can make them feel like their concerns are not valid or important.
2. “Calm down.”
Telling someone to calm down is another way of invalidating their feelings. It suggests that they are overreacting and that their emotions are not warranted. This can make a person feel even more frustrated and out of control.
3. “Just relax.”
Similar to telling someone to calm down, telling them to relax implies that they are not managing their anxiety in a healthy way. It puts the responsibility on the person with anxiety to fix their own emotional state, which can be overwhelming and unrealistic expectations.
Have a Drink; You’ll Feel Better
The Reality of Alcohol and Anxiety
It is often assumed that people with anxiety disorders should avoid alcohol. After all, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and depression is one of the main symptoms of many anxiety disorders. Additionally, drinking can lead to risky behavior, which can exacerbate anxiety or even cause new anxieties. However, not all people with anxiety disorders abstain from alcohol. In fact, some people find that drinking helps them to cope with their anxiety.
Alcohol may help to reduce anxiety in the short-term by numbing emotions and providing a sense of relaxation. For some people, this feeling of relaxation is enough to help them manage their anxiety in social situations or during periods of stress. However, alcohol only provides temporary relief from anxiety symptoms; over time, it can actually make those symptoms worse. Additionally, drinking can lead to other problems such as addiction or liver damage, which can further contribute to feelings of anxiousness and despair.
People who drink to cope with their anxiety are more likely to develop alcoholism than those who don’t drink at all. Alcoholism is a serious medical condition that requires treatment by professional counselors or therapists specializing in addiction recovery. If you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol and anxiousness disorder simultaneously, it’s important to seek help from a dual diagnosis treatment center that can address both conditions at once.
Other People are Suffering from Much Worse Conditions
So Just Get Over Your Anxiety
When someone tells you that they’re suffering from anxiety, one of the worst things you can say to them is “other people are suffering from much worse conditions, so just get over your anxiety.” This invalidates their experience and makes them feel like their anxiety is unimportant. It also discounts the fact that everyone experiences different levels of anxiety and what may be a minor trigger for one person could be a major trigger for another.
Instead of telling them to just get over it, try saying something like “I’m sorry that you’re going through this. I know it’s tough. Do you want to talk about it?” This shows that you understand how they’re feeling and are willing to listen to them without judgement. It also opens up the possibility for a productive conversation about their anxiety and how they’re coping with it.
You Should Try Meditation Yoga Veganism etc
10 Reasons Why
If you’re anything like me, your anxiety can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster ride. You’re up one minute and down the next, never really knowing when the next wave of anxiety will hit. And while there are a lot of things that can trigger an anxious episode, sometimes it feels like there’s just no escape.
But what if I told you that there are things you can do to help ease your anxiety? Things that don’t involve medication or therapy (although those are both great options, too)? Things that might actually make you feel better?
1. Meditation
One of the best things you can do for your anxiety is to meditate. I know, I know…meditation can seem daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. But there are plenty of resources out there to help get you started (Headspace is a great option). And once you get the hang of it, meditation can be incredibly calming and relaxing. It’s also been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving mental well-being.
2. Yoga
Yoga is another great way to ease anxiety. Like meditation, yoga can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. But yoga has the added benefit of also being physical activity, which has been shown to be helpful in managing anxiety symptoms. There are tons of different types of yoga out there (I personally love vinyasa), so find one that sounds right for you and give it a try!