How to Help Someone With Anxiety Who Doesn’t Think They Have it

One of the tricky things about anxiety is that it is, in itself, a trickster. Anxiety is a class clown; it doesn’t want you to know it’s making fun of you, taunting you, and make you believe everything is normal, you’re supposed to feel like this. “Stress is a part of life, why are you making such a big deal?” That’s anxiety talking, telling you that you’re a drama queen. Anxiety enjoys dancing around your mind and teasing you. It wants you to question yourself and every little motivation you have. But, what if these thoughts weren’t happening in your mind, but the subconscious of someone close to you? We’re going to talk about how to help someone with anxiety who doesn’t realize they have it.

Your friend has anxiety, but she doesn’t know

Imagine your friend is having these thoughts. She doesn’t believe that she has a right to be anxious. She says, “We all get stressed out at work. So what? That doesn’t mean I have anxiety or whatever. My boss yelled at me; I have a right to be upset.” Of course, that’s natural, why wouldn’t you feel upset about that? However, there’s a difference between having a bad day and feeling anxious about being fired, and continuing to obsess about losing your job for days at a time. When you’re preoccupied with the fear of getting fired, that’s when you’re experiencing anxiety. When your friend starts saying, “Giving in to my fear is weak. There’s nothing wrong with me. Everyone worries about getting fired. I’m just a loser,” you can step in and let her know that she’s not alone, many people struggle with anxiety, and she can get help.

Everyone has a right to their feelings

She has a right to her feelings. If we don’t speak candidly about our feelings, that’s when the anxiety monster wins. Knowing anxiety is real is going to help facilitate people including your friend getting therapy. Panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and OCD are all real anxiety disorders. It’s OK to admit you’re struggling. And if you don’t know what’s wrong, like in the case of your friend, ask for help. Sometimes we hit a roadblock with our mental health, which is why talking to a friend about your feelings is a positive thing. If you’re the friend who is lending an ear, don’t judge; listen. You might not understand what your friend is going through, but you can support her by hearing, and trying to put yourself in her shoes.

Anxiety makes people question themselves

One of the most significant problems with anxiety is that it makes you second guess yourself and your feelings. That’s why having a good friend is essential when you’re struggling with anxiety. A real friend will tell it like it is. You need someone who is going to be honest with you and let you know that they’re worried about you. Maybe you want to deny the problem because you’re scared to go to therapy. If you’re in denial about the fact that you’re anxious, that’s natural. Facing anxiety and panic head on is scary. Anxiety in itself can be terrifying, and many people want to run from these feelings. But a true friend is going to encourage you to face your fears and see a therapist.

Therapy helps people with anxiety

Say to your friend, “This is anxiety and we can get you help.” Then help them get resources to help themselves. They shouldn’t neglect their mental health when they’re hurting. Be a good friend and guide them towards treatment. Whether they work with an online counselor or someone in their local area, there’s a therapist out there for them to learn to manage their anxiety. You’re a good friend for supporting them on their journey to mental health.