How You Can Help Your Loved Ones Cope With Anxiety
August 8, 2023
How You Can Help Your Loved Ones Cope With Anxiety
Struggling with anxiety can sometimes feel like a lonely journey. More often than not, those struggling with anxiety may not always be open to sharing their challenges. When one feels anxious, it is easy to behave in ways that are designed to avoid communicating with others. Some may also not regard reaching out for help as an option.
Family therapy is an essential tool to receive individuals reaching out for help. But the support of family members is pertinent to continuously reassure them that they are not alone. By helping your loved ones cope, it will allow them to feel accepted and supported. Let us share empathetic approaches for you to support your loved ones.
1. Be patient and understanding with your loved ones
Every individual responds to their anxieties in unique ways. Some may find themselves freezing or avoiding the issue altogether, while others may exhibit signs of irritability or become dogmatic when they get anxious. Therefore, it is vital to show patience and understanding. Remember, overcoming anxiety takes time and setbacks are common during the process. So you should not expect instant changes.
In our family therapy sessions, our therapists often emphasise the significance of being attentive to how anxiety manifests in our loved ones. Even how you converse with them can have an effect. So avoid downplaying your loved one’s feelings. Instead, seek to recognise and validate their experiences.
Additionally, understanding your loved one’s behaviour and identifying their triggers can help you gain a deeper understanding of their behaviour and offer support more effectively. Subsequently, you and your family can collectively work towards avoiding or managing those trigger points, fostering a healthier and more harmonious family dynamic.
2. Provide a listening ear and be a source of positivity
The one thing we always emphasise in our family therapy sessions is to never ignore a loved one’s feelings no matter how much you do not get them. When your loved one requires support, be there for them. Even simple gestures like talking and listening to them can make a significant difference. They may just want someone to listen to them and support their feelings.
These moments are an excellent opportunity to encourage your loved ones to look for the positives in life. However, be mindful of your language. Phrases like “stop worrying” may seem innocuous but can make your loved ones feel misunderstood and invalidated.
Instead, consider statements like, “I am here if you like to talk about what is bothering you,” or “I understand you are anxious. How can I help?”. Additionally, acknowledge and appreciate their accomplishments by praising them for their perseverance in bettering themselves and their abilities to overcome obstacles.
3. Let them know you are here for them
Friends and family are crucial in helping someone struggling with anxiety. Therefore, our therapists always emphasise maintaining an open line of communication with your loved ones during family therapy. When your loved ones know that you are always there for them, they feel a welcome sense of relief in realising that they do not have to carry the burden of anxiety alone.
Take the time to check on your loved ones frequently, as this can better help them manage their anxiety. Spending one-on-one time with them also allows you to speak with them about the things they feel anxious about. If you are busy, you can continue to keep in touch over the phone at least once a week or via text messages every few days to see how they are coping with their week.
4. Remember to take care of yourself too
It is vital for you to understand the value of establishing a healthy boundary between you and your loved one. While it is understandable that you want to be there for them 24/7, you may find the effort wearing you down over time. Therefore, you should not neglect to promote self-care. By prioritising your well-being, you will find yourself in a much better position to care for your loved ones.
At the end of the day, you should remember that mental health does not change overnight and will take time to heal. So do take this into consideration if you ever get frustrated at a seeming lack of progress. Give your loved one time and be there for them, and eventually, their recovery will become evident.
At SYM Academy, we believe nurturing, resilient families are the foundation of a thriving society. Our family therapy centres in Singapore provide counselling and therapy services for families facing interpersonal relationship issues. If your loved one’s anxiety is deteriorating and affecting the family, do not hesitate to contact us today or visit us at https://ppis.sg/sym to speak to our experts.
