10 Things to Never Say to Someone With Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a mental health disorder in which feelings such as worrying and fear are common. The number of cases of anxiety disorders is increasing in the world. According to various studies, an estimated 275 million people in the world suffer from anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are difficult to deal with and are often made worse by what others say. People who suffer from anxiety disorders have a lot of difficulty in dealing with their issues. Something which may seem very easy for you is not very easy for them.

It is important to watch what you say to people suffering from anxiety disorders. Here are 10 things you should never say to them:

It is Not a Big Deal

This is an inaccurate phrase. Mental illnesses are similar to physical illnesses when it comes to the amount of discomfort they cause.

Understand it in this way. It may be easy for you to go for a 10km run on a day you are healthy but you cannot do it on a day you have a high fever.

Similarly, if someone with an anxiety disorder is struggling then do not tell them their problem is not big enough, Instead help them deal with it.

You Need to Calm Down

This is a very commonly used statement by most of us but it comes to anxiety it does not work, so there is no point using it. The fact of the matter is that if someone suffering from anxiety could calm down, they would say this statement will not make a difference.

In some cases, it can even aggravate the sufferer by making them feel that you are not taking their issue seriously.

Have a Drink, It Will Make You Feel Better

Alcoholic beverages are not a treatment for anxiety. What we fail to understand is that an anxiety disorder is a long term disease and using alcohol has the potential of making the disorder worse.

Do not make such suggestions to people suffering from anxiety.

Other People are in Worse Situations Compared to Yo

Comparing one individual’s situation to another is not right. Especially when it comes to diseases. Such statements increase the worthlessness that one might be feeling and this increase often causes more problems.

Do not make any comparisons of one individual with another on how they deal with their diseases.

Suck It Up and Do It

Such statements are intended to make people face their fears but in case someone is suffering from an anxiety disorder, a forceful facing of fear can have a very bad effect. It can cause damage to the person and make them more afraid of it than they were before.

Everything Overwhelms You!

Being overwhelmed is a common feeling for someone suffering from anxiety. Patients do not do it on purpose. Small things which do not seem much to others can be overwhelming to them. Pointing it out only makes it worse.

Get Over It

In most cases of anxiety disorders, individuals often link past traumas with present situations. The effect of the trauma is so bad that they keep thinking about how that trauma would affect them in the present situation.

Asking them to get over it only reminds them that they are not over it. This constant reminder has to be avoided at all costs.

I Also Get Anxious, It Does Not Stop Me From Doing Something

Getting anxious and suffering from an anxiety disorder are two different things. Most of us feel anxious at some point in our lives but that cannot be compared to the disease.

Do not try to compare your anxious moments with someone. The comparison is not right.

It is in Your head

Saying statements like this has no positive effect on the patient. It often makes them feel that their condition is not real.

Concentrate on saying things that help rather than cause harm.

It is Not a Real Disease

This statement could not be more wrong. Anxiety disorders are real medical conditions that require treatments. Telling people that they are not real makes it difficult for them to accept that they have a condition that requires treatment.

Takeaway

People with anxiety disorders require support from those around them. Our focus should be on making sure that they feel comfortable and not doing any activities that might serve as triggers for them. Pay special attention to what you say to people suffering from anxiety disorders.