‘tell Me About A Time When Things Went Wrong’
When people experience anxiety, they often worry about what may happen in the future. Thats why Ken Yeager, director of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Stress Trauma and Resilience Program, recommends that people engage in constructive discussions.
Help them carry out the concern to the future, he told TODAY. People could say, Give me an example of when things went wrong.
After hearing what went wrong, people should ask the person what they could have done differently to change the outcome.
Youre working this through, he said. You hear whats going on and you help the person to process.
People Who Make Themselves Unavoidable
According to the Mayo Clinic, many people with anxiety are tempted to avoid things which make them anxious, which may train the brain to create a “fear response” to the anxiety trigger. When that trigger is a person who literally makes themself unavoidable â someone who won’t take no for an answer, etc. â it can put you in a constant state of fear: Fear that you’ll run into them, and then anxiety at having to deal with them when you do see them. Not unlike many of the people on this list, boundary setting is your most powerful tool in dealing with people who make themselves unavoidable even if that one co-worker is constantly invading your cubicle, you don’t have to engage with them when they’re there.
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Understand That Your Partner May Be Anxious About The Relationship For Different Reasons
This isnt the case for everyone who has anxiety, but it might be the case that your partner spends more time than most people worrying about things that could go wrong in the relationship.
This is actually termed relationship anxiety.
Here are some examples of what they could be worrying about:
- What if my anxiety ruins the relationship?
- What if he/she likes someone else more?
Now, dont get me wrong:
Most people have these thoughts from time to time. Its normal. But people with anxiety might have these thoughts or worries more often than usual.
This can result in more physical stress and physical symptoms of anxiety.
These worrisome thoughts may cause an anxious partner to find out whether their thoughts are true.
For example, if they believe that theyre always the one who initiates a meeting first, they might ghost you for a few days to see if that is in fact true.
Theyre challenging their beliefs to see if theyre irrational or not. This increased stress can also result in angry or irritable moods or avoidant or passive-aggressive behavior.
Read Also: Can You Have Anxiety And Depression
Encourage Your Loved One To Talk To Someone Who Can Help
Even if you deserve the husband of the year award, your expertise can only go so far. Ive been doing this for years, and I still find myself in over my head when working with someone through a challenging situation. Anxiety can be rooted in years of trauma and neglect and the toxic values we absorb about ourselves. Those ugly beliefs will impact how we relate to people down the road. Its quite possible that your loved one might need support and guidance from a professional. That could be a pastor at church or finding a good therapist .
Often, folks who feel trapped by anxiety need reassurance that theyre worth the time and money investment of professional help. It takes a lot of courage to choose vulnerability and to do the hard work of facing your anxiety. So, be your friends biggest cheerleader. And if its your spouse who needs counseling, you can offer to go together so you can learn tools to support them along their journey.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses $
Blue light from computer and device screens is known to disrupt sleep and adversely affect mental health. With how much time our society spends exposed to blue light, these glasses block most harmful rays and help reduce some of the negative effects. They are stylish and comfortable, affordable, and practical. This pack of 2 provides a pair for work or travel and one for home. The lenses are transparent and colorless, so they have no impact on visual accuracy.
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Wrap Up The Healing Powers Of Acupressure Treatment
Acupressure has been shown to have amazing advantages for people living with anxiety, and we believe theres no better acupressure mat than the Aku Mat.
The process of acupressure is found to release endorphins, commonly referred to as the happiness hormones, invoking a sense of deep relaxation.
Unlike competitor mats that use plastic spikes, the Aku Mat has spikes made from copper, iron, nickel, silver and zinc.
It might look a little painful, and Akuspikes CEO said it can be at first! However, you quickly get used to the sensation and the results are more than worth it.
Akuspike also offer a different acupressure proposition, which is a great alternative to a stress ball
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Dont forget to pin these top gift ideas for the people in your life with anxiety!
Communicate Clearly With Your Partner
Not being direct and honest with your partner can make things worse. It will cause them to question whats going on and to second-guess themselves.
This is not what a person with anxiety needs.
You need to communicate clearly and be self-assured.
This also means that you shouldnt play games. Dont take 4 hours to respond to a message after youve seen it.
Be prompt, honest and reply when you see it.
In the end, its about removing unknowns.
The definition of anxiety is being scared of whats going to happen in the future, so by being clear and confident about what is going to happen, you can help your partner to avoid second-guessing the future and themselves.
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They Can Find Change Difficult
Everyone has a comfort zone, anxiety or not. Pushing that comfort zone can be difficult for even the most well-adjusted person, so for people with anxiety it can be even more challenging. This is not to be confused with the sentiment that those with anxiety dislike change or pushing their comfort zones, because they will likely thrive once theyre actually in the process of doing so. They can just find it a lot more difficult to bring themselves to do so.
The one relief people with anxiety tend to get from their anxiety is when theyre allowed to be in their place of comfort with nothing major changing around them. When theyre faced with a big change and uprooting, it can take them a lot longer to settle back down and establish that zone again. Just remember to have a little more patience and understanding for those with anxiety. Theyre trying, they really are.
Learn To Recognize The Signs Of Anxiety
Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting up to 18% of the population. Knowing the signs of anxiety can help you realize when someone you love is having fearful thoughts or feelings. Symptoms vary from person to person but can be broken into three categories:
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Treatment Options For Patients With Anxiety
There are two primary treatments for individuals with anxiety:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy , which involves learning how to lower anxiety and face distressing situations.
- Medication management with antidepressants, which works well on its own but even better when coupled with CBT.
During therapy, continue to show your support by:
- Asking your loved one what you can do to help them.
- Asking if you can attend a therapy session to learn some skills to better support them.
- Making time for your own life and interests to sustain your energy.
- Encouraging your loved one to try another therapist if the first one isnt a good fit.
They Can Find It Hard To Let It Go
Part of anxiety is the constant over thinking, but to really understand this we need to understand where the over thinking stems from. When anyone is faced with a traumatic incident in their life, which most people with anxiety have had more than their fair share of, the memory can end up stored in part of the limbic system of the brain that the mind uses to determine if we are at risk. You can find out more about that here.
The memory is stored in a completely different manner and region of the brain in comparison to an everyday memory that gets filed away. This causes the brain to react differently to the memory. The brain is actively seeking to make links between the traumatic memory and the present situation its in
When the brain is caught in this cycle, letting go of things can be very difficult. When the brain is trained to remain in this cycle through prolonged anxiety, letting go of pretty much anything can be a tough task. People with anxiety cannot always just let it go, their brain wont let them, so please dont give them a hard time about it.
Also Check: How To Stop Chronic Anxiety
How To Help Someone With Anxiety
All of us worry and get scared from time to time. But those with anxiety may feel consumed by fears of things that might seem irrational to others. It can be hard to relate to these concerns, and as a result, many people dont know how to best help someone with anxiety. People are often dismissive of people experiencing anxiety, says Joseph McGuire, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist with Johns Hopkins Medicine. With other medical illnesses, you may be able to see physical symptoms. But with anxiety, you dont necessarily see what the person is dealing with. So its important to be sensitive to what the person with anxiety is going through, even if it doesnt make sense to you. Its distressing to watch a loved one experience panic attacks and face anxiety every day, but there are things you can do to help. It starts with recognizing the signs of excessive worry and understanding the best ways to support your loved one.
Provide Safe And Comforting Physical Touch
Im a big advocate for skin-to-skin contact. We live in a culture thats starved for physical affection. We all crave it, and we all need it. A warm hug, a cuddle session on the couch, or holding hands tells your loved one, When youre with me, youre safe.
Skin-to-skin contact isnt just for newborns, and it often isnt sexual. Offering safe and affectionate physical touch is a powerful way to calm anxiety. Skin-to-skin contact reduces heart rate, which is one of the physical manifestations of anxiety. Physical touch also has the power to erase feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Of course, physical touch will look different depending on the person youre comforting. It could be holding hands with your spouse and looking them in the eye. It could be a tight, 60-second hug with a friend .
It should go without saying, but before you touch anyone struggling with anxiety, even your spouse, ask their permission. Since anxiety is an alarm signaling a lack of control, reaching out to touch someone without their permission could make them feel like theyre not in control of their own bodies. In an effort to help, you may make things worse. Gently extend your hand as an offer for them to take your hand. Kindly ask, Will you walk with me for a moment? Or you might ask, Do you mind if I put my hands on your shoulders? or Can I hug you? If someone isnt interested in your touch, dont take it personally. Respect their independence and move on to the next step.
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Making Conversation And Positive Affirmations
What a person says in response to someone having a panic attack is just as important as what they do. Engaging in conversation can distract from the extreme symptoms and help the person regulate their breathing. It is important to ask whether a person requires help rather than just assuming that they do. Here are some guidelines on what to say and do:
- Ask questions: Introduce yourself and ask if the person needs help. If so, ask them if they think that they are having a panic attack and whether they have had one before. This prompt may remind them about previous attacks and how they recovered.
- Stay or go: Let the person know that they do not have to stay where they are. Leaving a certain situation can take the pressure off someone having a panic attack. Find out what makes them feel most comfortable.
- Kind words: Staying positive and nonjudgmental is important. Help the person understand that you are there to assist them, they are safe, and they are going to get through this. Remind them that the panic attack is only temporary.
- Have a friendly conversation: An engaging chat can help distract a person from their symptoms. If you are a friend, gently bring up a topic that they are interested in to help them think of something else.
Dating Someone With Anxiety: What You Need To Know And Do
Dating someone with anxiety issues or an anxiety disorder can be horribly stressful. Sometimes it can feel like the anxiety is a third person in the relationship, someone who wriggles in between you and your partner. This person constantly sows doubt and confusion.
No one prepared you for this, and you cant choose who you fall for. Theres no high school class on dating, much less dating someone with a mental health condition.
Nonetheless, anxiety doesnt have to break your relationship or put a strain on it to the point where its hard to enjoy. By understanding anxiety in general and how it affects both your partner and your relationship, you can love each other more deeply and connect in a new way. Educating yourself can also relieve a lot of the stress.
This article breaks down everything you need to know and do when dating someone with anxiety: how to support your partner, understanding how the anxiety can impact your relationship, looking out for your own mental health and more. Keep reading if you want to make sure anxiety doesnt become a third person in your relationship.
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Thoughtful Gifts For People With Anxiety In 2020
Sharing is caring!
I dont know about you but sometimes I love buying gifts for someone else even more than I love receiving gifts myself. You just cant beat the feeling of getting it right and putting a smile on somebody elses face.
Im a firm believer that thoughtful gifts trump expensive gifts any day. You dont have to break the bank in order to make somebody else happy! It really is the thought that counts.
So if you have a loved one in your life who experiences anxiety, why not treat them with gifts that help with anxiety?
Whether its a birthday, christmas or simply just a normal day, giving them one of these thoughtful gifts for people with anxiety is bound to boost their spirits!
You can purchase one of these anti anxiety gifts or combine multiple items from this list of gift ideas to create a special anxiety gift basket.
Either way, Im sure the person on the receiving end will appreciate your efforts!
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