9 Tips for Helping Someone with Anxiety | Relationship Skills
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In these content segments, Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who has generalized anxiety. She explores the symptoms of anxiety, both those listed in the DSM and common ones that may not be included. Dr. Snipes provides strategies for supporting the person with anxiety and discusses how their symptoms can impact the partner or loved one.
She introduces a mnemonic, WISER PACE, to help understand generalized anxiety. The symptoms of generalized anxiety include excessive worry, irritability, sleep changes, exhaustion, low motivation, restlessness, potential panic attacks, difficulty with concentration, and changes in eating habits.
When supporting someone with generalized anxiety, it is important to recognize their feelings as valid and not invalidate their symptoms. Emotional boundaries should be established to prevent the partner's emotions from being affected by the anxiety. Identifying triggers and vulnerabilities is crucial, as worry can be a reaction to feeling disempowered or past traumas.
Dr. Snipes also discusses the relationship between sleep and anxiety, emphasizing that sleep deprivation can make it more difficult to control intrusive thoughts and the "monkey mind" that often accompanies anxiety. Poor sleep is common for individuals with anxiety, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. Strategies such as writing down worries before bed or using guided imagery can help calm the mind before sleep.
The constant activation of the stress response system in individuals with anxiety can lead to exhaustion, low motivation, restlessness, and muscle tension. Panic attacks, concentration difficulties, and changes in pain perception and digestion are also common symptoms. It is important for both the person with anxiety and their loved ones to recognize and understand how each symptom impacts their lives.
Establishing cognitive and emotional boundaries, finding compromises, and encouraging counseling or therapy can be beneficial in supporting someone with anxiety. It is important to be mindful of their triggers and vulnerabilities and to take care of one's own mental health as a caregiver.
In these content segments, Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses the challenges of being in a relationship