Anxiety and depression are sadly not uncommon in today's world. With the undue plethora of issues arising in society and all kinds of triggers around, it is quite obvious that many of us affect by depression and anxiety of some sort. So, the best thing to do with it is to look for ways to manage it effectively.
If you know someone who has these conditions and wants to know to help someone with anxiety and depression, this article is for you.
Support Them Emotionally
You need to show them full support emotionally. Be there for them and be especially vigilant when they need you. Don’t make them feel alone, and make sure that you offer them kind words of love and compassion. You don't know how much some comforting words can help them and give them some solace and hope to continue well in life. It is not the material things that matter but the words and gestures of love and kindness that really matters.
Be A Good Listener
Always be a good listener to them. Most of the time, they won't need your company for advice and solutions but to be heard and seen. You need to make sure you are there for them as a listener when you are able to do so. If they have any symptoms or they need to tell you about something that triggers their condition, they need to know you are a safe person to share their vulnerability with. So, make sure that they feel alright to share their problems around you.
Show Them Things to Look Forward to
You need to show them the things they can look forward to instead of letting them dwell in the process of overthinking over little things. Help them see the positivity in everything. Be it their goals or little things that can make them smile. If they have a hobby that they have forgotten about, here is their chance to do it again as you help them see better things to look forward to. Don’t make them feel stuck in a situation. Rather, give them the strength to move across and continue with the hope of better things on their list of to-do things.
Teach Them Healthy Coping Mechanisms
You need to teach them healthy coping mechanisms that will help them adjust to the things life has to offer them. For example, if they have anxiety and are triggered by something that disturbs their mental state, it is important to establish a series of healthy acts they can do in order to manage that situation. You can teach them how to do deep breathing, meditation, and other kinds of things they can do in this regard. This will help them to feel better prepared for a situation. Educate yourself about the situation and help them to deal with it rationally.
Advise Them to Seek Professional Help
The best thing that will help them have a breakthrough will be to help them find professional help. Take them to therapy with an experienced and skilled professional who knows about the condition they have and then support them to their fullest, considering everything they need to know. There are many complexities non-professionals will not fully understand, so it is always a better idea to seek advice from a professional in this regard. Support them in their decision not to go to a therapist if they keep persistent on it. Don’t add to their pressure as they are already going through too much. Give them a safe space to think and decide.
Don’t Be Judgmental and Critical of Them
Don’t be too judgmental and critical about them. It is not in their best favor as they are already going through low phases of self-esteem and are prone to undermine their abilities as individuals. It is always better to give them a safe space where they are allowed to be vulnerable and truthful about their situation. If you become critical of them and expect them to do what you want them to do, it will only lead to further damage.
Conclusion
In today's world when more and more people are facing anxiety and depression disorders all we can do is try to be next to them offer our full compassion and support.
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