What Do I Say To A Friend With Anxiety?

[Latrice Sang]

If you have a friend who is going through a difficult time, she stopped texting me back and is not interested when I suggest a coffee date. Her mom tells me that there are days that she doesn't want to get out of bed and would always cry. I was thinking that maybe she has anxiety or she is depressed. What can I do to help her? I to be there for her and support her.

[MissCandyGirl]

I remember feeling like your friend years ago. I did not want to get out of bed and was deeply depressed. I suffered anxiety, too. But I spoke to my doctor and received treatment, which greatly helped. I'll never be as energetic or enthusiastic as other people, though: not in this life. I think your friend will always have this glitch at the back of her mind: even after treatment.

Basically, stick around: she needs people to be patient with her and be understanding. But she'll never be better, like a band aid on a wound. She will always be prone to anxiety. But I feel she is lucky to have you as a friend. She's in an awful place right now, but you just have to wait in the wings for her to come to you. There is nowt else you can do.

Again, your friend is lucky to have you.

[MarinaTaylor]

If you have a friend who is going through a difficult time, she stopped texting me back and is not interested when I suggest a coffee date. Her mom tells me that there are days that she doesn't want to get out of bed and would always cry. I was thinking that maybe she has anxiety or she is depressed. What can I do to help her? I to be there for her and support her.

It's a classic representation of anxiety and what it does to a normal mind. It really makes you feel down and low, and you hardly feel like getting up or talking to anyone. I have faced the same for years and can totally relate to how your friend is feeling right now. Even a phone call from the closest friends would give me chills and I would be scared to death to talk to them. Without any reason. I just didn't feel like facing anyone at times. Anxiety can do that to you.
As for your friend, you have got to be patient with her if you want to help her. I'll tell you how I have overcome this feeling (only partially, though)
Do not force her to go anywhere with you. Instead, go to her. Going unannounced is the better thing to do. Because people like us who have anxiety issues can go into deeper anxiety when we anticipate something so better not to tell her. Next, let her stay in her comfort zone. Don't force her to step out of it. Although, once in a while, you should try and take her out which will help her in the long run to better face other people.
Don't let her take any medication for anxiety for now as they worsen the situation and make the patient dependant upon those meds.
To top it all of, just be there for her. Even if she doesn't return your calls, stick with her. Leave her a message every now and then that you are there for her and are ready to listen whenever she wants to talk. This would really boost her to talk back!
Hope your friend's condition gets better!

[MissCandyGirl]

I second MarinaTaylor's post. The best advice I've read online.

I write this because MarinaTaylor's advice could've been given to me years ago. In fact, I wish it had. Anxiety is AWFUL and is hard for others to understand. Plus, it takes incredible patience to handle someone suffering with anxiety. Anxiety is so, so real: yet to others it doesn't really exist. Plus it leaves you feeling isolated. Isolation is an awful place to be in.

I'd take MarinaTaylor's advice, definitely.

[matthewlantson]

I agree with MarinaTaylor post aswell, however SSRI pills actually do help. Yes, the first 2-4 weeks they create more of a feeling of anxiety because they are tricking your brain to create more Serotonin which is the feel good hormone. But after that they help because they have a cumulative affect. I take Prozac, which is known as Fluoxetine in Europe. The only side-effect I find is that in order to stop taking them, I have to be weened off of them, rather than stop abruptly.

[ayur88807]

Psychologists use expressive arts therapy in many settings to help people explore difficult issues in their lives.

Art, music, and dance are forms of creative expression that can help you process and cope with emotional issues, including depression. Expressive therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy. It focuses on creative outlets as a means of expression. This therapy can be especially helpful for people who find it difficult to talk about their thoughts and emotions.

Expressive therapy can include various forms of artistic expression. This can include:

art

music

dance

drama

writing and storytelling

In expressive therapy, the therapist encourages you to use these arts to communicate about emotions and life events. These are often subjects that you may find difficult to put into words.

[ayur88807]

Psychologists use expressive arts therapy in many settings to help people explore difficult issues in their lives.

Art, music, and dance are forms of creative expression that can help you process and cope with emotional issues, including depression. Expressive therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy. It focuses on creative outlets as a means of expression. This therapy can be especially helpful for people who find it difficult to talk about their thoughts and emotions.

Expressive therapy can include various forms of artistic expression. This can include:

art

music

dance

drama

writing and storytelling

In expressive therapy, the therapist encourages you to use these arts to communicate about emotions and life events. These are often subjects that you may find difficult to put into words.

[MissCandyGirl]

I've done - and still do - all those activities, ayur88807. And they DO work.

Music is by far the best therapy I use. I also find creative writing therapeutic. Being creative increases inner confidence 100%.

Art therapy has great value and I'd advise anyone take it up.

[stefydoe]

If you have a friend who is going through a difficult time, she stopped texting me back and is not interested when I suggest a coffee date. Her mom tells me that there are days that she doesn't want to get out of bed and would always cry. I was thinking that maybe she has anxiety or she is depressed. What can I do to help her? I to be there for her and support her.

It's a classic representation of anxiety and what it does to a normal mind. It really makes you feel down and low, and you hardly feel like getting up or talking to anyone. I have faced the same for years and can totally relate to how your friend is feeling right now. Even a phone call from the closest friends would give me chills and I would be scared to death to talk to them. Without any reason. I just didn't feel like facing anyone at times. Anxiety can do that to you.
As for your friend, you have got to be patient with her if you want to help her. I'll tell you how I have overcome this feeling (only partially, though)
Do not force her to go anywhere with you. Instead, go to her. Going unannounced is the better thing to do. Because people like us who have anxiety issues can go into deeper anxiety when we anticipate something so better not to tell her. Next, let her stay in her comfort zone. Don't force her to step out of it. Although, once in a while, you should try and take her out which will help her in the long run to better face other people.
Don't let her take any medication for anxiety for now as they worsen the situation and make the patient dependant upon those meds.
To top it all of, just be there for her. Even if she doesn't return your calls, stick with her. Leave her a message every now and then that you are there for her and are ready to listen whenever she wants to talk. This would really boost her to talk back!
Hope your friend's condition gets better!

I am agree with you MarinaTaylor.

I think it would be workable for her. Always try to keep contact with her by any reason, when she realised that you want to help her and want to stay with her definitely she calls you back for herself and for her need in her difficult condition.

[MissCandyGirl]

If you have a friend who is going through a difficult time, she stopped texting me back and is not interested when I suggest a coffee date. Her mom tells me that there are days that she doesn't want to get out of bed and would always cry. I was thinking that maybe she has anxiety or she is depressed. What can I do to help her? I to be there for her and support her.

It's a classic representation of anxiety and what it does to a normal mind. It really makes you feel down and low, and you hardly feel like getting up or talking to anyone. I have faced the same for years and can totally relate to how your friend is feeling right now. Even a phone call from the closest friends would give me chills and I would be scared to death to talk to them. Without any reason. I just didn't feel like facing anyone at times. Anxiety can do that to you.
As for your friend, you have got to be patient with her if you want to help her. I'll tell you how I have overcome this feeling (only partially, though)
Do not force her to go anywhere with you. Instead, go to her. Going unannounced is the better thing to do. Because people like us who have anxiety issues can go into deeper anxiety when we anticipate something so better not to tell her. Next, let her stay in her comfort zone. Don't force her to step out of it. Although, once in a while, you should try and take her out which will help her in the long run to better face other people.
Don't let her take any medication for anxiety for now as they worsen the situation and make the patient dependant upon those meds.
To top it all of, just be there for her. Even if she doesn't return your calls, stick with her. Leave her a message every now and then that you are there for her and are ready to listen whenever she wants to talk. This would really boost her to talk back!
Hope your friend's condition gets better!

I am agree with you MarinaTaylor.

I think it would be workable for her. Always try to keep contact with her by any reason, when she realised that you want to help her and want to stay with her definitely she calls you back for herself and for her need in her difficult condition.

I also agree with you, MarinaTaylor. This is advice I'd follow.