[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title Header” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0.3)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(33,51,101,0)” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_module=”767″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”on” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.5)” admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ title_font=”Playfair Display|900|||on||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#213365″ title_font_size=”55px” meta_font=”Poppins|500|on||||||” meta_text_align=”center” meta_font_size=”14px” meta_letter_spacing=”2px” meta_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ background_color_gradient_direction=”245deg” custom_padding=”130px||250px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”150px||150px” custom_padding_phone=”50px||50px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” title_font_size_tablet=”45px” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Post Content” _builder_version=”4.9.0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ admin_label=”Post Content” _builder_version=”4.9.0″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
It’s no secret, according to the\u00a0<\/span>Anxiety and Depression Association of America,<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting a whopping 18.1% of the population, that’s 40 million adults. Over here in the U.K., mixed anxiety & depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain, with 7.8% of people meeting criteria for diagnosis (according to\u00a0<\/span>nopanic.org.uk<\/a><\/strong>).<\/span><\/p>\n
Most of us have personally experienced panic attacks either from a loved one who is suffering or having the terrifying sensations themselves. A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes. They are often described as, sudden episodes of intense fear that trigger severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.<\/em> (source)<\/strong>.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
Illustrations courtesy of <\/i>Shutterstock<\/strong>.<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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\nWhat can I do to help right now?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
If you don\u2019t know what to do when your friend is having an anxiety attack, sometimes the best thing to do is just ask. They might say nothing, in which case you should wait patiently, standing with them. If you\u2019re in a crowd, try to move them to a quieter area if it\u2019s nearby.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/stress-insomnia-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(520 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”3.21.2″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Template 2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Phrase 2 | Acknowledge You Don\u2019t Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nI wish I could understand what you\u2019re experiencing, but I just don\u2019t. I respect how you feel and I just want to know how to make you feel better.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
When someone is freaking out, saying \u201cI know how you feel\u201d or similar statements simply isn\u2019t productive. Unless you\u2019ve had an anxiety attack, there is no way you know how the person feels, and saying so can really make them feel dismissed or minimized. Instead, acknowledge you don’t really know how they\u2019re feeling and reiterate that you want to help.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/weight-on-shoulders-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(630 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”3.21.2″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Template 3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Phrase 3 | Broaden Their View<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nThe anxiety you’re suffering with now is a result of trying to have everything figured out all at once. You’re fearful of a negative outcome. What we’re going to do is focus on the now. Then we’re going to take things one step at a time. Let\u2019s look at the bigger picture\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
When you have anxiety, really small things can feel a thousand times bigger. When someone is focused on a smaller detail or point, try to get them to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Don\u2019t just tell them they have good things in life to be grateful for, walk them through the specifics to get them thinking happy thoughts again.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/yoga-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(500 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”3.21.2″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Template 4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Phrase 4 | Offer An Activity<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nHow about we run some errands together?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nI know how much you enjoy the outdoors, let’s go for a walk.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
When an anxiety attack is making a person feeling swallowed whole, getting them to sit down, chill out, and simply talk to you over good food can help put things in perspective. When you notice your friend\u2019s anxiety start to set in, offering an activity can do more than \u201cdistract\u201d from the source of anxiety, it can give them the chance to discuss it.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/social-group-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(570 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_code admin_label=”Mindfulness LinkedIn Learning Preview Video” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_orientation=”left” link_option_url=”https:\/\/linkedin-learning.pxf.io\/e2PXg” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_module=”10840″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”on”]If you’re looking to develop your communication skills for professional environments even further, we think you\u2019ll like the following video course from LinkedIn Learning. Check out the preview below:
