“Calm Down.” What to Say to Your Anxious Friend

“Telling someone who lives with chronic anxiety to calm down doesn’t work”  writes Sarah Fader for Psychology Today. When someone is panicking those words could make them feel dismissed and silenced and they are simply ineffective.  So what could you do instead to help a friend who is in the midst of panic?

Sarah has some simple but effective tips that can really help.  These include listening and just  being there; sometimes all you need to do is just be with them and listen without interrupting or judging. Ask if there is anything you could do to help (even though they may so no!)  and remind your friend to breathe!

“Calm Down.” What to Say to Your Anxious Friend | Psychology Today.