Similarly, when you have depression or anxiety issues, you must get the ideal support or care. How can emotional support for anxiety help? Read further to know.
What Is Emotional Support And Where Can We Get It?
Emotional support is a sort of care and affection that we show to another person. It can be both verbal and nonverbal. When you offer emotional support to anyone, the person may get acceptance, caring, and encouragement. Furthermore, they feel valued and learn their importance.
As you show concern towards your loved one or acquaintance, you are not only helping them deal with their feelings but also the challenges of life.
For emotional support, a person may reach out to their:
- Family members
- Friends
- Partner
- Online groups and social networks
- Support groups
- Colleagues
When someone is happy, they can share their happiness with others, but when they are sad, they need someone who understands their sorrow. Showing love towards a person and caring for them are two different things. So, one must learn the way to show care and support that the other person genuinely feels.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a blend of emotions that include tension and worried thoughts. The person feeling anxious may also experience specific physical changes, such as increased blood pressure.
Anxiety and fear aren’t the same, but we can use them interchangeably. Anxiety is all about something that is going to happen, while fear is present-oriented and a temporary reaction to a clearly recognizable danger.
What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety?
The most common symptom of anxiety can be feelings of worry and fear. These can be so serious that they may impact your capability to work and sleep. The physical symptoms can be:
- Muscle tension
- Too much sweating
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Breathing issue
- Choking sensations
- Restlessness
- Panic attacks
What Are The Best Examples Of Emotional Support?
How somebody provides emotional support depends on various situations. Some of the best examples of emotional support are as follows:
Empathizing And Validating
One should empathize with a person’s experiences as much as they can. It is an essential part of emotional support, and the validation of the feelings goes one step ahead. It makes the person realize that whatever he or she is feeling is absolutely fine and normal.
For anybody giving support, it can be difficult to show empathy for emotions that the person has not felt. So, in such instances, showing honesty in not having a similar experience is fine. But they can realize the other person’s pain by saying, “I am sorry that you’re undergoing this,” or “I can only imagine your pain.”
Also Read: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services: Why Prefer Them?
Strategizing
One must not throw unwanted advice right away when a person is trying to open up. Maybe they just want to have a conversation to process what they are undergoing. Here, resolving the problem for them may make the person overwhelmed, or they may feel guilty about feeling worried about it.
If they seek advice, pose questions that may help them discover ways for themselves. The following are the questions that one can ask:
- What kind of resources do you think would be more supportive?
- Are you in favor of my opinion?
- What makes you feel most anxious at the moment?
Active Listening
Active listening is a technique wherein a person who is offering support listens to the other one with full attention. This implies that whatever the other person is saying matters to them. Here is what one can do to listen to a person actively:
- Show utmost attention towards
- Ask questions for a better understanding of their experiences.
- Let them say what they have experienced without judging them.
Qualities Of Emotional Support For Anxiety
Emotional support plays a critical role in treating mental conditions like anxiety. Mental health experts advise people to reach out to their friends or family members for help.
According to research, there is a connection between social relationships and several aspects of wellness. Depression and poor social support are also interrelated. Moreover, it has been proven that depression and loneliness alter brain functionality and raise the risk of alcohol abuse and heart ailments.
An effective way to show emotional support can aid a needy person with dignity and consideration. It is better to be non-judgemental in these situations, meaning you should not judge the person regarding their feelings or thoughts. Try to be unconditional, which means that there is no need for the person to react in a special way to receive care or support.
How Can You Get Emotional Support For Somebody?
It may be a challenge to seek emotional support for someone. But it is important to offer support, and for that, you must stick to the following:
Go For The Ideal Person
You may find people who are more professional and experienced at giving emotional support compared to others. But this doesn’t always signify that they will show better care. Choose somebody well-versed in offering help and avoid those with a bad record.
Take Into Account Every Type Of Support
Some people might find it hard to admit material help, like favors or fiscal assistance. But if any person provides help for free and it would make a difference, there is no need to hesitate in saying yes. Likewise, if there is a failure in getting support from friends or family members, the person in need may wish to call a support service.
Communicate With Clearness
If anyone has misinterpreted or is expressing things that cannot be helped out, it is good to let them learn. For instance- “I know you want to support me by giving suggestions, but I am having trouble venting at the moment.”
Conclusion
Giving emotional support to anyone with anxiety is important, whether it is your partner, friend, or family member. This is also a key to a strong and lasting relationship. It may even help in promoting good physical and mental well-being. So, there is no need to feel shame about sharing anything and receiving emotional support.
Some great examples of emotional support include active listening and validation. But, there should be a different approach for different individuals. Those who want to support a person in need must know well about the person and their feelings.
Have anxiety issues? Alnicor Consulting is here to take care of all your worries! We help people with anxiety and bring a great change in their lives. Extreme stress and anxiety can affect your sleep as well as your overall well-being. Alnicor offers expert-guided emotional support sessions that are safe and private. As we don’t judge your emotions, you can receive the right assistance worry-free.