Walking Alongside a Loved One Struggling with Crippling Anxiety

When you’re going through a rough patch, having the right sort of company and support makes a world of difference. There’s a passage in Ecclesiastes that reads as follows:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV

Journeying with others makes a difference; we need all the help we can get. While it’s great to have friends like that, ones who will come alongside you to help you up when you need it, what a gift it is to be a friend like that to someone else.

We all experience anxiety in one form or another, but there are ways anxiety can affect a person that are debilitating, especially if that anxiety is intense. There are effective ways for you to come alongside a loved one who has this kind of intense, crippling anxiety.

Crippling Anxiety Explored

Anxiety comes in many shapes and sizes. We don’t all experience anxiety in the same way, and each person’s anxiety isn’t triggered by the same things. Some people recoil even at the thought of spiders, snakes, or public speaking. Others dread talking with someone they don’t know or driving in an unfamiliar environment. These and other situations may be met with anxious reactions that range from mild to extreme and debilitating.

To talk of anxiety as being “crippling” isn’t to offer a clinical diagnosis. It is, however, something of an assessment and conclusion that a person’s anxiety affects them so much that it significantly affects their well-being and daily functioning. If a person has intense anxiety, particularly if it comes with panic attacks, it can make it hard to breathe, think, or be present in the moment due to the intense fear.

Such intense anxiety can be the result of a variety of factors, including one’s genetics and having family members with anxiety problems. Experiencing major life stresses, such as the serious illness or death of a loved one, may also trigger it.

Additionally, if a person has the sort of temperament that makes them more sensitive to stress or negative emotions, or if they’ve experienced childhood trauma, they are at greater risk of developing anxiety disorders.

The Impact of Crippling Anxiety

When a person has crippling anxiety, that affects them deeply, impacting every area of their life. When a person has panic attacks, they can wind up living in fear of having those attacks, which can affect their well-being. One way people try to deal with this is to withdraw from situations that might trigger anxiety and panic attacks. However, this sometimes serves only to worsen the anxiety.

When a person has crippling anxiety, they may find themselves avoiding the situations that trigger their anxieties, whether that’s at work, school, public places, or in situations like driving. When crippling anxiety takes hold, it can affect a person’s job or academic performance, their quality of life, and relationships.

Panic attacks and crippling anxiety can be quite challenging to cope with. In the absence of healthy coping tools, support, and resilience, anxiety may prompt substance abuse. Other concerns that are also associated with crippling anxiety include financial problems which can result from diminished work performance, suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of suicide.

The impact of crippling anxiety can be quite significant. If your loved one is experiencing crippling anxiety, there are ways you can help and come alongside them.

Walking Alongside a Loved One with Crippling Anxiety

If you have a loved one who struggles with crippling anxiety, it may be hard to watch them going through that. Far from being completely helpless, there are ways for you to walk helpfully alongside them. Some of the ways you can do this include:

Provide emotional support This can take many forms, including being present and listening to them without judgment. Allow your loved one to express their fears and worries, and don’t rush to offer solutions. Sometimes, simply being present and giving someone validation for their feelings and an audience can itself be comforting and reassuring.

You can create a safe space for them to share their thoughts, feelings, and fears. That includes avoiding criticizing or minimizing their anxiety, and that will only serve to worsen the situation.

Seek understanding You may also benefit immensely from learning more about anxiety and how it affects people. Educating yourself about anxiety and anxiety disorders, including the symptoms and treatment options, can increase your effectiveness as part of their support network.

You can also learn to understand anxiety from a biblical perspective. Being able to understand what the Bible says about anxiety and knowing the physiology of anxiety can help you provide meaningful insights for your loved one as they navigate this common human experience.

Encourage self-care Another way to help your loved one is to encourage them to take care of themselves. This includes activities, practices, and techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation, as well as regular exercise, a consistent sleep schedule, as well as a balanced and healthy diet that nurtures emotional and mental well-being.

Some things, like caffeine and sugary foods and drinks, worsen anxiety, as does consuming social media excessively or consuming content that tends to make one more anxious.

Enjoy spiritual disciplines together Prayer is a powerful tool you can make use of in dealing with anxiety. It can help with redirecting thoughts as well as challenging negative thoughts, pointing one to Christ while pursuing His peace (Philippians 4:6-8). Prayer can be grounding for them, and you can also read Scripture and worship together.

Whether you create a worship playlist for your loved one or find helpful podcasts for them to feel encouraged, you can find small but effective ways for them to process their anxious feelings and find solace in the Lord.

Offer practical support When a person has crippling anxiety, they may find everyday activities and tasks overwhelming. Practical support can look like running errands, helping with chores, simply being present with them, taking them to appointments, or doing exercises with them that their doctor or therapist recommends.

Respect their journey When a person faces anxiety, it’s a unique experience for them. How your loved one copes and engages with their anxiety won’t look the same as the next person. They will have their own struggles and setbacks, as well as successes. Instead of pressuring your loved one in a particular direction, offer your presence and support.

If you can’t endorse a particular course of action they wish to take, remember that it’s ultimately their decision to make. Be patient, recognizing that each person’s journey is their own, and it takes time and concerted effort to make strides in the right direction.

Take self-care seriously Since you can encourage self-care for your loved one, you should also take it seriously for yourself. Standing in the gap and supporting a loved one who’s dealing with crippling anxiety can be emotionally taxing. Take time to rest, enjoy hobbies, and seek professional support for yourself if you need it.

Encourage them to seek help Anxiety can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of a person’s life. Therapy can help your loved one, and it works alongside other ways to handle anxiety. Encourage your loved one to seek professional help, and if they have medication prescribed to them to manage the symptoms of anxiety, encourage them to take that medication as prescribed and to stick to the regimen.

Next Steps: Christian Counseling in Texas

You can journey with your loved one as they try to find support groups or a therapist to work with. If they need it, accompany them to their sessions so that they receive consistent care. Your loved one’s therapist can help them work through their anxiety, integrating biblical faith into the healing process.

If your loved one has crippling anxiety, encourage them to seek professional help. We’d be happy to support you and your loved one here at Texas Christian Counseling. Feel free to contact us today.