3 Coping Mechanisms to Deal with A Loved One’s Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety can flare at any time. A person can be in a social situation or even at work, and suddenly, their anxiety can flare. The person suffering from an anxiety attack can feel embarrassed, humiliated, and ashamed. A person with an anxiety disorder may have coping mechanisms they use to help them deal with the panic attack.

But what about the person who loves that person with an anxiety disorder? They need resources and coping mechanisms as well to help them deal with someone if their anxiety flares during a social situation. Here are three coping mechanisms to deal with a loved one’s anxiety disorder:

Keep Close

The person dealing with an anxiety attack needs to feel someone close to them who understands what they’re going through. They do not want people to constantly ask if they are OK or call attention to their anxiety. This will only make the anxiety worse. They need those who understand that they have this feeling and that it will pass. They can be an incredible source of support to a person suffering from a panic attack.

Gestures like squeezing the hand, holding a hand, or rubbing on the back may make people with anxiety feel supported in that situation. Be sure to talk with the person who has the anxiety disorder beforehand to discuss what they would like to see them do to support them at that time.

Be careful to do what you think is best in that situation. It’s best not to ask a lot of questions or make the person with the anxiety attack feel more uncomfortable than they already do. Discuss a word or a gesture that the person with the anxiety disorder can do ahead of time to indicate they need support to follow that.

Be careful not to ask what the problem is or call attention to the anxiety. It is best to give the person the support they need, especially in a social situation, to avoid any additional embarrassment or humiliation they may feel.

Pray

As Christians, the best tool we can use to support someone with a mental health disorder is prayer. When a person is suffering from a panic attack, they may not be thinking clearly when it comes to asking God to help them through that situation. You may have to be the person who prays for them on their behalf.

This does not have to be something that causes any unwanted attention or embarrassment. Pray for them in your mind and ask God for His healing, protection, and peace throughout this situation. Ask the Lord to remind them of His promises that they are not alone and that He is there with them in that fear.

Sometimes, anxiety attacks can occur because of additional health concerns. The root of anxiety comes from an issue in the digestive system. This is where the saying “butterflies in the stomach” comes from. A person may have an undiagnosed issue in the gut that they are unaware of. Pray and ask for God’s wisdom regarding discovering what the root of the anxiety is.

Sometimes, a person can identify the anxiety simply as a person or an event that’s triggering it. Other times, they may have anxiety flare for no reason. Be supportive by helping them discover the root of what’s happening. They can find that new situations may trigger a memory from the past that causes them unwanted embarrassment or shame. Discuss with them any issues in the past that may trigger this. Discovering the root may help resolve the anxiety for good.

Ask Questions

Before the next anxiety attack occurs, ask the person with the anxiety disorder what they need from you to help them feel less anxious. Ask them, “What do you need me to do to help you during this difficult time?” Try to make the situation more about the person with anxiety and not about you. Sometimes, people feel uncomfortable because they don’t know what to do during a panic attack.

Therefore, their insecurities emerge when they make the situation more about their performance and the other person’s approval than simply serving and being supportive in their time of need. Ask whatever questions are necessary to help them through a panic attack so that if one occurs, both of you can be ready to resolve it as quickly as possible.

Anxiety is a very unpleasant feeling. Waves of panic, sweaty palms, and nausea are just a few of the symptoms that occur during a panic attack. This can be incredibly embarrassing during a social situation where people are conversing with or looking for that person.

By adapting these coping mechanisms, not only can a person use their strategies to deal with their anxiety, but also knowing that someone is around who will help them in their time can be an incredible source of comfort and peace during a panic attack.

If you still have questions or concerns about supporting a loved one with anxiety and would like to speak to one of the faith-based counselors at our location, call our office today.