Anxiety and depression are very scary words on their own. Throw them together and you get a very confusing mixture of emotions that can be extremely overwhelming. If you suffer from depression, you're probably familiar with the days spent in bed because you just can't get up or the plans cancelled and parties skipped because you can't find a reason to go. If you suffer from anxiety you may now the monster that lives in the back of your mind and loudly questions every decision you make or the 2 AM panic attacks that sneak up without warning.

Those lucky few who suffer from both know the feeling of not having the willpower to get out of bed, but having a constant reel of disasters that will surely ensue if you don't get up playing on a loop in your head. Or the desire to be alone and internal coupled with the crippling fear that if you cancel on your friends one more time they will stop inviting you and eventually stop talking to you altogether. Living with these two diseases is extremely difficult, but so is living with and loving someone who suffers from them. Sometimes human contact isn't comforting and sometimes soothing words will make no difference, but there are ways to show your loved ones with anxiety and depression that you are there and you care.

Acknowledge that it isn't their fault.

Everybody's go to move when they see someone crying is to tell them to "cheer up." Telling someone to cheer up implies that the mood they are in and the emotions they are experiencing are of their own creating and they can just as easily turn it off, as though it were a light switch. This is not the case. When you suffer from depression you go through highs and lows that can be triggered by the smallest things, and sometimes require no triggers at all. It is not anything that can be controlled and simply "choosing" to be happy will not make it go away. Instead, acknowledge that they are hurting and let them know that you are there for them should they need you.

Sit with them.

When someone is experiencing a low, there isn't an immediate remedy to make the bad feelings go away. Depression and anxiety can lead to a lot of time spent alone, so sometimes the best remedy is human interaction. You don't have to hug or kiss or even talk, just be there in the same room as your loved one. Let them feel your presence and know you aren't going anywhere.

Create a safe place to talk about it.

In this day and age mental illness is still largely seen as a taboo, as a result your loved ones may not be very open to discussing the things they are experiencing. The best thing to do in this situation is to make them feel safe and let them know you can be trusted. Show an earnest interest in what they're going through without offering unsolicited advice.

Support decisions to seek help.

Not everyones' beliefs are the same when it comes to therapy and medication; however, your beliefs should in no way affect how your loved one finds solace. Anxiety and depression affect everyone in different way. Some people thrive on a combination of medication and counseling, while others prefer therapy alone. If they choose to not seek help, respect their decision, but let them know that it does not make them weak to ask for help. There are many resources available for helping loved ones find treatment. (If a loved one is in serious danger, do not hesitate to reach out for immediate assistance, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).

Celebrate their achievements.

Some days, getting out of bed and putting on real pants is a monumental achievement. Other days will hold bigger victories, like breakthroughs in therapy sessions or stopping a panic attack before it sets in. It's easy for those suffering from depression and anxiety to feel like they are losing the battle, so it's very important to always celebrate the big and little victories.

Don't treat them like they're fragile.

Depression and anxiety are illnesses. Just as a cancer patient does not want to be treated like a breakable item, those who suffer from anxiety and depression do not want to be handled with care. Treat them like the friend or lover they always were and always will be. You don't have to tiptoe around their feelings.

Love them unconditionally.

Loving someone with anxiety and depression is not always easy. It can be difficult, messy, and frustrating. There will be times when it seems like your loved one has taken ten steps backward. There will be nights that horrible panic attacks keep you up for hours on end. But at the end of the day you'll never find someone who loves deeper or fights harder for the people they love.