How to Help Someone with Anxiety: Do’s, Don’ts, and What Really Helps

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges, yet it’s often misunderstood. While everyone feels anxious from time to time, clinical anxiety is persistent, excessive, and can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to function. 

It’s not simply “nerves” or “overthinking” – it’s a complex condition that can take many forms and affect people in unique ways. Understanding these nuances is the first step in becoming a supportive presence in someone’s healing journey.

Recognizing the Spectrum of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety doesn’t show up the same way in everyone. At Bridges to Recovery, we treat a wide range of anxiety disorders, each with its own distinct features:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This is characterized by constant, uncontrollable worry about everyday issues – work, health, relationships – even when there’s no clear reason for concern. Individuals with GAD often feel “on edge” and struggle to relax.

• Social Anxiety Disorder: This disorder involves an intense fear of being judged, rejected, or humiliated in social settings. People may avoid parties, meetings, or even one-on-one conversations for fear of embarrassment.

• Panic Disorder: Marked by sudden, overwhelming episodes of fear – panic attacks – that come with physical symptoms like a racing heart, dizziness, or shortness of breath. The fear of having another attack can become just as debilitating as the attack itself.

• High-Functioning Anxiety: Though not an official diagnosis, this describes people who appear successful and composed on the outside while battling relentless anxiety internally. This form often goes unnoticed and untreated because it can be masked by achievement and perfectionism.

Each of these conditions deserves compassion, proper diagnosis, and personalized care. That’s what we provide every day at Bridges to Recovery.

Common Symptoms and Behaviors

Anxiety affects both mind and body. Recognizing the signs can help you respond with understanding rather than judgment.

• Physical Symptoms: People may report feeling constantly tired, tense, or restless. Sleep issues are common, as are headaches, stomach problems, and racing heartbeats.

• Emotional Indicators: Anxiety can cloud the mind. Your loved one might seem irritable, overwhelmed by worry, or find it difficult to concentrate on even simple tasks.

• Behavioral Signs: Avoidance is a major hallmark of anxiety. Individuals might start pulling away from social situations, procrastinate important responsibilities, or become overly reliant on routines that feel “safe.”

These symptoms are often misunderstood, but with insight and care, you can begin to see the deeper story behind these behaviors.

The Impact on Daily Life and Relationships

Anxiety doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it – it touches every corner of their life.

• Work and School: Performance often suffers due to difficulty focusing, fatigue, or fear of failure. Some may call in sick often or struggle to meet deadlines despite trying their best.

• Personal Relationships: Anxiety can strain connections. Loved ones may feel pushed away or confused by emotional withdrawal or irritability. The person with anxiety may feel guilty but unsure how to explain what they’re going through.

• Overall Well-being: Left untreated, anxiety can take a serious toll. It may lead to other mental health issues like depression or substance use, and prevent someone from engaging fully with life.

At Bridges to Recovery, we know how deeply anxiety can entrench itself. That’s why we offer not just symptom management, but holistic, transformative care to support long-term recovery.

Once you understand what anxiety really is, the next step is knowing how to respond. What helps someone feel safe, seen, and supported? Below are research-backed and clinically-informed strategies we recommend at Bridges to Recovery.

Active Listening and Open Communication

At the heart of helping someone with anxiety is showing them they’re not alone.

• Creating a Safe Space: Let them talk without interruption or judgment. Give them time to articulate their fears, no matter how irrational they may seem to you.

• Validating Feelings: Phrases like “That sounds really hard” or “I’m here for you” can make a world of difference. Resist the urge to “fix” the problem right away. Instead, focus on helping them feel understood.

• Avoiding Dismissive Language: It’s easy to say “just calm down” or “don’t worry about it,” but those responses – though well-meaning – can invalidate their experience. Stick to supportive language that acknowledges their emotional reality.

Being a compassionate listener can help someone feel less isolated, which is often half the battle in managing anxiety.

Encouraging Professional Help

While your support is crucial, professional treatment is often necessary for lasting recovery.

• Understanding Treatment Options: Therapy (such as CBT), medication, or lifestyle interventions may all play a role. Everyone’s path is different.

• Introducing Bridges to Recovery: Our residential treatment center is designed specifically for individuals dealing with anxiety and other co-occurring conditions. We offer intensive, individualized therapy in a warm, home-like setting that fosters healing.

• Supporting the Decision: Encourage your loved one to explore treatment options without pressure. Offer to help them research programs, schedule consultations, or accompany them to appointments if they wish.

Your encouragement could be the gentle push they need to take that next courageous step.

Promoting Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Helping someone develop healthy habits empowers them to regain a sense of control.

• Mindfulness Practices: Breathwork, body scans, and grounding exercises can help calm the nervous system. These are simple, accessible practices that you can even do together.

• Physical Activity: Movement is medicine. Walking, yoga, swimming – any form of regular exercise – can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms.

• Creative Outlets: Art, music, and writing are not only therapeutic but can help express feelings that are hard to verbalize. Support their hobbies, or invite them to try something new.

Encouraging these habits is about more than “self-care” – it’s about building a sustainable foundation for emotional regulation.

Even the most well-intentioned support can backfire if it reinforces anxiety or leaves someone feeling misunderstood. Here’s what to steer clear of.

Minimizing Their Experience

Statements like “You’re overreacting” or “It’s not that bad” can make someone feel ashamed of what they’re going through.

• Avoid Saying: “It’s all in your head,” or “Other people have it worse.” These phrases may seem rational, but they dismiss real suffering.

• Understand: Anxiety is not a choice. It’s a diagnosable condition that affects how someone thinks, feels, and behaves. Empathy – not logic – is the key to connection.

Enabling Avoidance Behaviors

While it’s natural to want to protect someone from their triggers, avoidance often strengthens anxiety over time.

• Recognize Patterns: Avoiding social situations, work obligations, or responsibilities may provide short-term relief but long-term harm.

• Encourage Gradual Exposure: Help them take small, manageable steps toward confronting fears. Offer reassurance, not force, and celebrate each success along the way.

Healing happens at the edge of discomfort – not at the center of avoidance.

Imposing Personal Solutions

Everyone’s journey with anxiety is unique. What worked for you or someone else may not work for them.

• Refrain From: Making suggestions that start with “You should just…” or comparing their experience to someone else’s.

• Instead: Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you need right now?” or “How can I support you today?” Respect their autonomy and meet them where they are.

True support means walking beside someone – not pulling them along or pushing them forward.

How can I tell the difference between everyday stress and an anxiety disorder?

Stress is typically temporary and tied to a specific event, like a deadline or life transition. 

An anxiety disorder, on the other hand, lingers – even when the external stressor is gone – and can significantly impact daily functioning. 

If your loved one seems overwhelmed most days, avoids certain activities, or struggles with physical symptoms like insomnia or chest tightness, it may be time to explore professional help.

What if my loved one doesn’t want to talk about their anxiety?

This is common – and it doesn’t mean they don’t trust you. People often feel shame, guilt, or fear of being misunderstood. 

The best thing you can do is remain open, non-judgmental, and gently remind them that you’re available when they’re ready. Sometimes, sending an article or sharing your concern in a written note can be less intimidating than a face-to-face conversation.

Can anxiety be “cured”?

While there may not be a universal “cure,” anxiety can absolutely be managed – and even transformed. With the right treatment plan, many people experience a dramatic reduction in symptoms and regain a sense of emotional freedom. 

At Bridges to Recovery, we’ve seen individuals make lasting progress through tailored care that addresses root causes, not just surface symptoms.

What does treatment at Bridges to Recovery look like?

We provide residential treatment in a peaceful, supportive setting, offering a truly individualized experience. Each client receives a customized treatment plan that may include somatic therapies, mindfulness-based approaches, medication management, and more. Our team of compassionate clinicians provides consistent one-on-one therapy – far beyond what’s available in most outpatient settings.

How can I best support someone during and after treatment?

Your continued presence matters more than you know. Encourage healthy routines, offer to attend family therapy or education sessions, and keep communication open. 

After treatment, focus on long-term lifestyle support – helping your loved one sustain routines, boundaries, and self-care. Recovery is a journey, and you are an essential part of it.