How To You should tell your friends about your anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to deal with anxiety disorders.It may be more difficult if you are doing it alone.If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, friends and family can provide important support, but sometimes the thought of telling them about your condition causes even more anxiety.You can receive support if you approach your friends about your anxiety disorder.
Step 1: Write your thoughts down.
It's a good idea to get your thoughts together before you tell your friends about anxiety.You may not be able to say anything if you get anxious and upset.Make a list of things you want to say or do when you talk to your friends.
Step 2: Make a list of people you want to talk to.
You should start a new list after you write down your thoughts.Decide who you want to tell about your anxiety disorder.Determine who the person is to you.Why do you want to tell this person?If you feel comfortable with this person, you should decide.Determine if the person you want to tell you is supportive.How has this person reacted when you share things with them before?You should think about whether you want help from the person or if you just want them to know.You may want to tell your family and friends about your anxiety disorder because you spend the most time with them.If you face anxiety at work, you may want to tell the person you share your office with about it.
Step 3: Tell your friends how much you want them to know.
Depending on who you tell, the amount of information you give that person may change.How much you feel comfortable sharing about your disorder should be considered.It is possible to be completely honest with your parents, spouse, or best friend.You can limit how much information you give your co-worker.How much do you feel comfortable sharing with your friends?They need to know certain details.Some people don't need to know about medication or how anxiety keeps them from certain activities.
Step 4: You should have resources for your friends.
Unless you know someone with an anxiety disorder, your friends may not know about it.They may have no idea about anxiety, anxiety disorders, panic disorders or mental health issues.They can learn more about it if they put together some resources.You might want to put together a list of websites that explain anxiety disorders.It is possible to include first-hand accounts from people who live with anxiety disorder.If you are working with a counselor, they may have resources that you can share with your friends, such as pamphlets or a list of websites.Ask your counselor if he or she would be willing to give you some of the resources.
Step 5: Tell your friends the kind of help you need.
You should decide if you want help from your friends when you tell them about your disorder.You should decide the kind of help you need before you ask for it.You can either write this on the same sheet you messed up, or include it on a list of people you want to tell.Be specific about what you need from your friends.They know what you expect from them so there is no miscommunication which can cause more anxiety for you.You may need your spouse or roommate to alert you to any changes in your behavior that you might not be aware of.If you haven't called in two days, you may need your best friend to call.If you have an anxiety attack at work, you may need your co-worker to not be offended.
Step 6: You should remind yourself that you aren't bothering your friends.
One of the reasons people don't tell their friends and family about their anxiety disorder is that they feel like they're bothering them.This is not true.As you manage your disorder, your friends are a wonderful source of support.Even if you have a chronic problem, you should be able to go to your friends with it.Would you go to your friends if you had a medical problem such as diabetes, cancer, or a broken leg?Mental disorders are just as important as physical disorders.
Step 7: There is a difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder.
Some people don't know that an anxiety disorder is not the same as normal anxiety.If you tell your friends you have an anxiety disorder, they may think you are normal.You need to explain how you feel.You can tell your friends, "My anxiety feels different than what you feel before a big presentation, before starting a new job, or before taking a test."You can explain your anxiety to your friends by saying that it's worse than what you feel.Imagine the worst anxiety you've ever felt, then add it up to 10.That's how I feel sometimes.People who don't go through the intense anxiety associated with an anxiety disorder may have a hard time understanding you.If you can't make your friends understand how you feel, you should not feel anxious.They may not understand what you go through, but they are aware of how it affects you.
Step 8: Write down the symptoms of your anxiety disorder.
You might want to tell your friends about the symptoms of your anxiety disorder.If you start acting anxious, your friends will be aware of it.They can help you if they can identify when you have an anxiety attack.The symptoms of anxiety disorders include: restlessness or feeling on edge, Difficulty concentrating, Insomnia, or being unable to sleep.
Step 9: If you have an anxiety attack, teach your friends how to help you.
Teaching your friends how to help you if you face severe anxiety when they are around is part of explaining your anxiety disorder.They need the tools to support you.If you have an anxiety attack, don't panic or call the police.I don't want to be told to calm down.Listen to what I have to say and just be there for me.Your friends can help you get out of the house.They should encourage you to live life and do things even if you don't want to do them.If you have an anxiety attack, your friends shouldn't worry.As you work through the anxiety, they should remain calm.Your friends shouldn't tell you to get over it or not to worry about it.Sometimes you can't do those things because of your anxiety disorder.It's worse if you have friends who tell you that.
Step 10: Tell your friends that you have anxiety.
Some friends and family may think they can cure you of anxiety.They may try to understand the anxiety or make you do things to face it.Even if your friends mean well, these things won't help.You can tell your friends that there is no cure for anxiety.I can take some medicines if I need to, but I have to manage them.You can't cure me.That is okay.I need you to understand and support me.Your friends should support you instead of trying to cure you.Being patient with you, encouraging you to keep living, and helping you through any anxiety attacks you experience is what this means.
Step 11: Encourage your friends to spend time with you.
When you have an anxiety disorder, it's helpful to be around family and friends.It is possible to get your mind off your fears by interacting with friends.Say to your friends that even though I have an anxiety disorder, I want to spend time with you.I want to see you even if I don't call for days or weeks.You may have to take the first step to see me.If you want to go to dinner or watch a movie, call me.You are still the same person you have always been, tell them.They shouldn't avoid you.
Step 12: Tell your friends not to worry about you.
People may think they are being supportive when they ask about your anxiety.They may ask you how your anxiety is affecting you.Ask them not to do this.Tell your friends that you care about me and want to know how my anxiety is.You might be curious if I'm having a good or bad day.It gets worse when I bring up my anxiety.When I need to, I will talk to you about my anxiety.Unless I bring it up first, I don't bring up my anxiety often.It could be an attack if you are thinking about your anxiety.It could make you anxious because you feel like your anxiety is a focus point.You want your friends to listen to you talk about your anxiety, but you also want to control when you bring it up.
Step 13: Ask your friends to be patient.
You can act differently because of anxiety.Suddenly you feel hot, the room is bright, and you are angry at everyone, because of a triggering situation.Tell your friends that this is a possibility.Tell them not to take it personally.I might start acting differently all of a sudden.I can get angry, scared, sad, or stop talking completely.This has nothing to do with you.When I have an anxiety attack, my moods may change, so please don't take it personally.Don't ask if you can help.Don't get mad at me, and be understanding.Extreme feelings of anxiety can make you feel sad or angry.Until you calm down, you may act differently with your friends.Tell your friends that it has nothing to do with them.