Tips for telling the people in your life about your anxiety
Filed Under (Anxiety) by Deltrice on 02-01-2008
Tagged Under : Anxiety, tips
Guide your friends in appropriate action
By being aware of your symptoms, your friends can be educated about what a panic attack is. Tell them not to rush you to the hospital unless you describe symptoms that are different from your typical panic attack. Tell them that being reassuring during the experience generally is enough.
Here are some other pointers you might want to give:
- Don’t assume what I need, ask me.
- Let me pace my recovery, but encourage me to get help.
- Find something good in my achievements. When I overcome an obstacle (such as driving on the highway), make a big deal of it.
- Don’t let me avoid life. Help me take the baby steps to live life to its fullest.
- Don’t give up your own life to protect me. We only will grow to resent each other.
- Don’t panic when I panic. I need you to be confident that I will get through this.
- Don’t tell me to “Calm down” or “Get a grip on yourself.” If I could do that, don’t you think I would?
Panic disorder is a difficult problem for everyone involved. But, with care, patience and some help from your friends, you can overcome it.
