5 Things Not To Say To Someone With Anxiety
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

5 Things Not To Say To Someone With Anxiety

If someone close to you suffers from anxiety, avoid these phrases.

31
5 Things Not To Say To Someone With Anxiety

1. Just relax.

This is probably one of the worst pieces of advice anyone can give. It's up there with "Take a deep breath." More oxygen won't solve my problems at the moment! If someone is feeling anxious about something, telling him/her to relax is not going to magically erase his/her stress. On the contrary, having been told this personally, I get even more riled up. I start going on a tangent about what the issue is and why relaxing is not going happen. I feel the need to justify my anxiety even more when someone tells me to relax.

2. Let it go.

I wish it was this easy! Dwelling on something is very common for people who have anxiety. It is hard to want to confide in someone when the advice he/she gives is to just let whatever is bothering you go. Maybe through talking about whatever it is that is causing you stress, you will be able to work on a solution. When someone tells me to "let it go," I immediately want to either reexplain why I cannot let it go or just stop talking all together because I feel as if that person does not want to hear more. This can cause you to bottle up your feelings, which is not healthy whatsoever.


3. You're overreacting.

In certain situations, being told you're overreacting is ok. If I directly ask someone if they think I am, it is one thing. That shows I am realizing that it is possible I am. But if I am really distraught about something and someone approaches me saying that I am overreacting, that is very agitating. Nobody should ever have their feelings degraded or softened. The most important thing anyone can do is just listen to why the person is anxious and stressed and then give logical advice about it. The person listening can even share his/her feelings on what he/she would do. Personally, if someone directly says that I am overreacting about something, it makes me feel more anxious and does not help walk me through my emotions.


4. It's really not a big deal.

Clearly this is a big deal. Maybe to other people it's not, but clearly to the person who is struggling, it is. This is another statement that can make someone feel very insecure about the way they are handling themself. Anxiety is something that is hard to control. Even if something doesn't seem to be a huge deal to an outsider, the person experiencing this stress needs to be comforted and effectively talked to in a manner that does not minimize it, but rather addresses how it can be solved.


5. Don't think about it.

If someone tells me not to think about something, great. I am so glad you think that is possible for me! Unfortunately, the likelihood of me truly blocking out a problem completely is slim to none. This is not an effective approach, in my opinion. Even if you are able to temporarily distract yourself, eventually the stress over something that was not previously addressed will resurface. Also, realistically, how many people with anxiety can just stop thinking about what is bothering them or what is making them anxious? I think people SHOULD think about it. Think about it in a productive way. Talk it out, write down your feelings, make a pros and cons list if that is applicable and tend to the stressor instead of ignore it.

Hopefully you can use what not to say to guide you to understand a more appropriate way to console someone who has anxiety. The most important takeaway is that suppressing someones feelings is never the answer. ALWAYS make sure he/she feel heard.






Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56898
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36675
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958463
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

189543
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments