4 Ways to Help Someone With Anxiety Who's Going Somewhere
Since I’m going somewhere today, I’ve decided to post a list of things I find helpful when going somewhere with someone with anxiety. Please, note these are my opinions. You should always ask someone with anxiety the best way to help them. Not every method is beneficial to every individual.
1. Give us more than 24 hours notice.
If you want to go somewhere with us, then please let us know before 24 hours beforehand. While knowing about a certain event too early may cause us to over-think until we don’t feel able to go, springing on us the fact that you want us to go somewhere or just showing up unannounced will add extra, unnecessary stress!
2. Scope out the place ahead of time and report back.
While this may sound extremely needy, if we’ve never been somewhere before, then sometimes it helps put our mind at ease if we know the lay of the land. If it’s not too much to ask, then maybe even take pictures so we can visualize what the place looks like and how it’s set up.
3. Tell us what time we’re going out.
If you’ll be picking us up, then it’s helpful to know when to expect you. As mentioned in my first piece of advice, showing up unannounced can be nerve-racking!
4. Be patient with us.
This is the most important piece of advice overall. For people with anxiety, going out can be extremely difficult. The fact that we’re trying is a big step. While that may be hard to understand, yelling at us when we struggle will only make things worse. Please, try your hardest to be understanding and patient!
Thank you so much for reading! If anyone has any other advice for traveling with anxiety, then please feel free to comment!
Image via Thinkstock.
This post originally appeared on Getting Through Anxiety.
Hi, I enjoy writing and sharing my experiences with others. For many years, I have struggled with anxiety and know how difficult it can be to deal with something so seemingly limiting. I have loved to write since I was in first grade and am now a published author! My first book, Rest in Piece, was published in October 2016 and I have self-published five books since. My hobbies include: writing, reading, watching TV and working hard to get through my anxiety. I currently have blogs at Getting Through Anxiety and at Rest in Piece. I hope that through my writing, I can help others realize they are not alone in their struggles and that they can overcome their obstacles. “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” –Toni Morrison
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