How To Help Someone With Anxiety Over Text
8 Texts to Calm Someone with Anxiety
Millions of Americans struggle with anxiety. If you’re having trouble talking to your loved ones, you’re not alone.
Anxiety can make it hard to say what you mean. This can cause misunderstandings, especially when texting.
Let’s look at 8 comforting texts you can send to someone with anxiety.
What to say to someone with anxiety over text:
1. “You’re Safe, I’ve Got Your Back”
When texting someone with anxiety, be their rock. Make them feel valued and calm. This helps reduce their worry.
Show them you’re hopeful about the future. Boost their confidence by saying you’ll stick by them.
Try messages like:
• “It’s okay to feel unsure, I believe in you”
• “You can tell me anything, I won’t judge”
2. “You Are Always Loved”
How to help someone with anxiety over text: remind them they don’t need to hide. Your love is unconditional.
Praise their strengths. Celebrate what makes them unique. Let them know you’re there for good times and bad.
Show you accept their mental health. Try saying: “Your anxiety doesn’t change how I feel about you. It’s part of the person I love.”
3. “How Can I Help/Support You?”
What to say to someone with anxiety over text: ask what kind of support they need. Some might want a hug, others might need more.
If a problem feels too big, help break it down. You could:
• Make a to-do list
• Research local therapists and share their info
4. “What’s The Root Of The Problem?”
Don’t be scared to ask about the problem directly. This helps you unpack it together.
Whether it’s work, family, or money trouble, work towards solving it together. This will help ease their anxiety.
5. “I’m Ordering You Some Food”
How to help a friend with anxiety over text: Sometimes anxiety makes it hard to take care of basic needs.
Offering to help with food and drink can be a great comfort. You could:
• Make their favorite home-cooked meal
• Put together a gift basket of their favorite snacks
Text them what you’re planning. It’ll lift their spirits!
6. “You Don’t Have To Cope With This On Your Own”
Remind them there are lots of people who care. They have:
• Your friendship
• Mental health pros
• Support groups
• A whole community
Remind them of all this support. Try texting: “Lots of people care about you. Have you reached out to anyone else about this?”
7. “Do You Want Me To Come Over?”
Be available and let them choose how to talk. Some days they might prefer texting, other days they might want to hang out.
Be flexible. Give them options. Try texting: “Do you want me to drive over or would you prefer a video call?”
8. “Take A Deep Breath”
Encourage them to take a break and do some grounding exercises. Help clear their head and talk about what calms them.
This could be:
• Lighting their favorite candle and taking a bath
• Going for a short walk in the sun
Learn what makes them happy and content.
As a psychotherapist, I can vouch for breathing techniques. Let me share a story.
I once had to help someone with anxiety over text.
First, I made sure they were safe (safety comes first).
Then we did simple breathing exercises and used the 3-3-3 rule. You can read about how the 3-3-3 rule works here: what is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety
My client calmed down and felt grounded within 15 minutes. We contained a panic attack over text! Of course, every situation is different, but in this case, it worked. In short, you can absolutely help or comfort someone over text messages.
How To Know If Someone Is Anxious?
Look out for these signs:
- They avoid situations where they might be judged
- They worry too much about unimportant things
- They worry about things that haven’t happened yet
- Their thoughts race out of control
- They have physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches, or dizziness
- They struggle to make decisions
- They have low self-esteem
What To Say To Someone Having A Panic Attack Over Text?
If you’re worried about someone having a panic attack, try these reassuring messages:
- “I’m here for you. I know this is scary. You sound really overwhelmed. Want me to call you?”
- “It’s okay to let your feelings out. You don’t have to hold back. Letting go helps you get through this.”
- “You’re not alone. People around you care. We’ll take care of you until you feel better.”
- “Let’s talk more tomorrow. I love you.”
What Is Texting Anxiety?
Texting anxiety is when people get super nervous while texting. It usually happens because they can’t see the other person’s face and read their emotions.
Common causes include:
- Feeling insecure about how they look
- Not knowing what to say next
- Being scared of saying something wrong
- Having a habit of talking too much
- Thinking too much before sending a text
- Worrying about what others think of them
Wrapping It Up
There are lots of ways to help someone with anxiety over text.
Hopefully, this guide has given you some good ideas on how to support and talk to your loved ones without being too pushy!
Your Burning Questions Answered
How can I tell if someone’s struggling with anxiety?
Look for signs like:
• Avoiding situations where they might be judged
• Worrying too much about small things
• Worrying about stuff that hasn’t happened
• Racing thoughts
• Physical symptoms like tummy aches or dizziness
• Trouble making decisions
• Low self-esteem
What should I text someone who’s having a panic attack?
Try reassuring messages like:
• “I’m here for you. It’s okay to feel your feelings.”
• “You’re not alone. We’ll take care of you until you feel better.”
• “Let’s talk more tomorrow. I love you.”
What’s texting anxiety and what causes it?
Texting anxiety is when people get super nervous while texting. It usually happens because they can’t see the other person’s face and read their emotions.
It might be caused by:
• Feeling insecure about how they look
• Not knowing what to say
• Being scared of saying something wrong
• Overthinking before sending a text
• Worrying about what others think of them
How can I comfort someone with anxiety over text?
Try these:
• Tell them they’re safe, loved, and not alone
• Offer help
• Ask about what’s bothering them
• Remind them to take care of themselves
• Encourage them to get help from others
• Suggest calming exercises
You can also learn more about how to care for someone who’s sad.
What if someone with anxiety asks for help through text?
First, understand what kind of help they need. Remember, there are things you shouldn’t say to someone with anxiety.
You could:
• Listen to them
• Help break down big problems
• Look up mental health resources
• Just offer comforting words
Give them options for how to talk, like video calls or meeting in person.
If they need more help, encourage them to find professional support.
Author: Michelle Landeros, LMFT
Michelle Landeros is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT). She is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families thrive.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I am Michelle Landeros, LMFT. I am a mother, wife, author, baker and foodie. Welcome to my blog Therapist Pages. Covering a wide range of topics from mental health, wellness, relationships and overall well-being. I am passionate about sharing information that improves your wellness journey.