Mental illnesses like anxiety disorder don’t discriminate when they strike. They can target anyone from your one happy-go-lucky friend to a colleague, or even a family member-it can be anyone. There is no ‘category’ of people who are likely to fall prey to this disorder. People struggling with anxiety may definitely step out, chill with loved ones, and do their daily chores; but that doesn’t mean they are over it. They have their challenges, and all they want us all to do is understand and not push away.
The help you can offer can be as simple as accompanying them to a doctor, or even giving them space, hearing them out and not judging, the need is to go all out and help them cope.
We spoke to a few people living with anxiety and asked them what they would like their friends to know about the disorder. Read what they had to say.
1. Please don’t take it personally. All the anger and frustration is not aimed at you but themselves.
2. There is no particular time for anxiety to strike. It can happen anytime; no one can see it coming.
3. They will try to plan and control because being prepared is the only way they know to reduce the anxiety.
4. Anxiety isn’t just a mental illness, it can be physical too. Stomach cramps, headache, and dizziness are some of the physical symptoms.
5. Please don’t force. Not for therapy, not for medication, or even calming down. Let it happen organically, or in worse situations, just go about it in a way that’s not forceful.
6. Please make the first move. Most people suffering from the disorder cannot reach out to friends, family, or even a partner because they see themselves as a big burden.
7. Often one person’s anxiety is different from another’s; so talk to the person struggling with it and help them learn the ways to deal with the anxiety on a personal level. Some people just need space.
8. Please don’t judge. For god’s sake, please be accommodative. If not that, just don’t pass judgements on someone who appears different compared to you. You most likely don’t know what they’re really going through.
9. Last but not least, even though they may not say it, they appreciate your love and support. Concerned text messages, late-night conversation, just about everything.
