Anxiety comes with many emotions—one of the most powerful ones is fear. And as humans, we’re wired to respond to fear.
One of the best ways to counter fear? A sense of safety. When feeling anxious and uncertain, safety and empowerment can provide clarity to thoughts and choices.
When we struggle with anxiety we can often feel alone in our thoughts and it can be hard to reach for support. We tend to reach out to those closest to us—our friends, partners, caregivers—we seek reassurance and comfort.
It’s not always easy to know how to show up. I often hear:
“I wish my partner would stop trying to fix it and support me”; “I don’t feel she understands what I am feeling scared about, and it makes me feel more alone in my thoughts.”
The truth is, not your job to “fix” or “change” the root cause of the anxiety. Sometimes, your presence—your support—is the most powerful tool.
Here are some takeaways that can help:
Validation goes a long way: You don’t need to fully understand to offer support. Supporting sentiments like, “I can see how scared this makes you feel, I am here for you.” and “I get it, it would feel hard speaking to a bunch of people you do not know.” can go a long way.
Try Distraction with Awareness: This powerful DBT strategy involves gently shifting focus. Think about things you would normally do to feel good and choose one activity that is super easy and can bring happiness to you both (a dance off; a walk in the park; cooking a meal together)
Minimize Fact-Checking: This is a reflection of fear that can further affirm anxiety and lead to possible feelings of frustration for the person struggling and the person trying to support them. Let’s bring on feelings of comfort and safety instead.
Anxiety is hard—for the person feeling it and the person supporting them. If you’re struggling with either side of this experience, we’re here to help.
Book a complimentary consultation call to start the conversation.
Navigating mental health concerns and life stressors can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Discover tailored therapy that provides actionable strategies to ease your anxiety and help you find balance. Take the first step—contact our Toronto psychology clinic today.
