All of us experience some level of anxiety at some point in our lives, but some of us live with our anxiety every single day. We carry these irrational fears around with us and it feels like no one understands. Here are some things you should NEVER say to someone who has anxiety.
1. "Relax."
When someone with anxiety gets told to "relax," it will drive them to freak out even more. When you are worked up about something, the last thing you want someone to tell you is how irrationally you are acting.
2. "You're overreacting."
To someone with anxiety, there is no such thing as overreacting. Just don't go there.
3. "It's all in your head."
Really?! I had no idea that anxiety was a MENTAL illness!
DUHHH... we know that it's in our heads. Tell us something we don't know.
4. "Did you take your medication today?"
If you ask someone with anxiety if they have taken their anxiety medication today, you will get the death glare for sure. You're just reminding them that they have something wrong with them and making them feel like they are crazy.
5. "I know how you feel."
People who have anxiety absolutely hate it when they're venting to someone and all they say back is: "I know how you feel." To someone who has anxiety, they literally feel like they are drowning in their worries. They don't need to hear about someone else's problems because they have enough of their own.
You never know who has anxiety and who doesn't, so don't make any assumptions when deciding what to say around certain people. A good rule of thumb is to say things that don't offend anyone. If you aren't sure what to say, just have your shoulder there for them to cry on so that they know they have your support. Everyone is fighting a battle that others cannot see. BE KIND!
