Do you know a friend or loved one who suffers from fear, anxiety, and depression but don't know how to help them?
It can be frustrating to watch someone you know struggle with their mental health and not be able to do anything to relieve their suffering.
With this in mind, here are seven ways to help the person cope in these kinds of situations.
Learn and share as much as you can about managing anxiety and depression.
There are many books and much information on how to successfully overcome fear and anxiety. Share this information with the person who is struggling with their fears. The key is to get your friend to understand how important it is to seek some guidance when it comes to their mental health.
Be understanding and patient with the person struggling with their fears.
Maintaining depression and anxiety can be difficult, so do not add more problems than are already there. Do not get into arguments with your friend, who may be having a difficult time with their anxieties. Make an effort to listen to the person rather than making judgments.
Talk to the person instead of talking at them.
It is important not to lecture the person who's having a hard time with anxiety and depression. Talk to them about their issues without being rude. Most people will listen if you approach them in a proper manner. Remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated if you were the one who was struggling.
Ask for some ideas from professionals.
Seek advice from a professional who can assist the person with their mental health issues. A counselor can give you some ideas on how one overcomes anxiety, fear, and depression. Getting help from a therapist is the number one priority in getting someone to do something about their problems.
Find out why the person won't get assistance.
Many people who are struggling are fearful and frustrated. Try to find out the reasons why your friend won't get the help they need, and then try to find ways that will overcome their resistance.
Remind the person of the consequences of not getting help.
Another way to convince someone who is struggling with fear and depression is to tell them what may happen if they don't get some counseling. Anxiety and depression can make things worse and usually won't go away by themselves.
Mental health usually can't be managed all by oneself.
Many people think that they can overcome their mental health problems on their own. This is a mistake. A person's fears and anxieties can be difficult to manage, and more than likely, your friend will need some help. The person should admit they have a problem and then seek treatment to get their life back on track.
Stan Popovich is the author of the popular managing-fear book A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear. For more information about the book and to get some more free mental health advice, please visit https://www.managingfear.com/.