How To Help Someone With Anxiety Over Text
Anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans every year, meaning you’re not alone if you often find it difficult to communicate effectively with friends and family.
Anxiety impacts our ability to express ourselves clearly, which can cause a number of problems in relationships, especially when communicating via text messages.
With this in mind, our guide will take a closer look at eight of the best and most comforting text messages you can send to someone suffering with anxiety.
What’s more, we’ll also look to answer a few of the frequently asked questions.
1. “You’re Safe, I’ve Got Your Back”
Try to be reassuring and protective to your loved one, offering a safe space where they feel comfortable and appreciated. This is perfect for relieving any stress or fear they might be dealing with.
Focus on how you’re hopeful for the future and offset any of their self-doubts by reassuring them that you’re not going anywhere.
Texts like “it’s okay to be unsure but I believe in you” and “you can tell me anything I won’t judge you” are particularly helpful.
2. “You Are Always Loved”
Reminding a loved one they have nothing to hide and that you love them unconditionally is always a good way to reassure them.
Praise their strengths and celebrate their uniqueness, letting them know that you’ll be there for them during both the good days and the bad ones.
Try to show acceptance for their mental health by saying things like “your anxiety doesn’t change how I feel about you, it’s simply part of the person that I fell in love with.”
3. “How Can I Help/Support You?”
It’s often a good idea to ask what kind of support a loved one needs from you. For some people it may just be a hug, whereas others might need a little more, and could ask you to review mental health resources with them.
If a problem feels too overwhelming, try your best to help break it down and manage their anxiety. For example, you could design a to-do list, or you could research some local therapists and send over their contact details.
4. “What’s The Root Of The Problem?”
Don’t be afraid to ask directly about the problem, so you can help them to successfully unpack it.
Whether it’s work-related, to do with family issues, or struggles with money, work together towards the final goal of solving the problem, and you’ll be sure to help their anxiety.
5. “I’m Ordering You Some Food”
Sometimes people who suffer from anxiety struggle to take care of their basic needs.
Therefore, offering acts of service such as buying food and drink can be a great way to provide them with some much-needed comfort during a tough time.
This could be making their favorite home-cooked dish or putting together a gift basket packed with all their guilty-pleasure snacks. Text them what you’re planning, and you’ll be sure to lift their spirits!
6. “You Don’t Have To Cope With This On Your Own”
Remind your loved one that there are lots of people who can offer empathy and care. Not only can they rely on your friendship, they also have mental health professionals, support groups, and a whole community that they can utilize.
With this in mind, make sure you remind them about all the support they have by texting them things like “lots of people care about you, have you reached out to anyone else about this?”
7. “Do You Want Me To Come Over?”
Make yourself available and let them decide how they want to communicate. They might want to stick to text, but there may be other days when they really want to hang out and watch a movie with you.
Remain flexible with lots of different ways to stay in touch. It’s often helpful to give them a couple of options when trying to communicate, texting things like “do you want me to drive over or would you prefer a video call?”
8. “Take A Deep Breath”
Encouraging your loved one to take a break and decompress with some grounding exercises is a good way to help with their anxiety. You can help to clear their head and talk about some of the things they find most calming.
This might be lighting their favorite candle and running a bath, or it could be getting out in the sunshine for a short walk. Learn what makes them happy and content.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Know If Someone Is Anxious?
There are a number of things you can look out for to tell if someone is feeling anxious. Some of these include:
- They avoid certain situations because they fear being judged by others
- They worry excessively about things that aren’t even important
- They find themselves worrying about things that haven’t happened yet
- Their thoughts race uncontrollably
- They experience physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, or dizziness
- They have trouble making decisions
- They have low self-esteem
What To Say To Someone Having A Panic Attack Over Text?
If you’re worried about someone who is experiencing a panic attack, it might be helpful to offer them reassurance. Here are some of the best things you can say:
- “I’m here for you. I understand how scary this must feel. It sounds like you’re feeling really overwhelmed right now. Do you want me to call you back?”
- “It’s okay to let out all your feelings. You don’t have to hold anything in. Letting go of those feelings is what helps you get through this.”
- “You’re not alone. There are people around you who care about you. We’ll take good care of you until you feel better.”
- “Let’s talk more tomorrow. I love you.”
What Is Texting Anxiety?
Texting anxiety is a condition where individuals become extremely nervous while texting. The main reason why people develop this condition is due to their inability to read other people’s emotions on their faces.
Some common causes of texting anxiety include:
- Feeling insecure about one’s appearance
- Not knowing what to say next
- Being afraid of saying something wrong
- Having a bad habit of talking too much
- Thinking too much before sending a text
- Worrying about what others think about them
The Bottom Line
To conclude, there are lots of different ways you can help someone with anxiety over text.
Hopefully, after reading this guide, you’ll be in a much stronger position to support and communicate with your loved ones without being too overbearing!
ABOUT ME
Hi! I am Michelle Landeros, LMFT. I am a mother, wife, 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.
