When faced with someone experiencing high anxiety, rather than giving advice, which can feel invalidating, a better approach is to seek to understand how it is for the person. Let them know you are with them, and they are not alone. A question like “What can I do to help you right now?” lets them know you are there and invites them to check in with their own needs.
Sometimes when people are in the midst of an anxiety attack, it can be beneficial to just sit with the person and be together until it passes or something changes. Affirming that you have as long as they need and are not going anywhere can provide much-needed reassurance.
If you have experienced extreme anxiety, what have you found to be helpful? Drop a note in the comments for future posts about anxiety.
