Anxiety Disorders

"Just calm down." Anxiety isn’t a switch they can flip off. Instead, offer understanding or a grounding technique. "Why are you freaking out over nothing?" What feels small to you might feel enormous to them. Validation is key. "You're overthinking it." This statement can feel dismissive. Encourage them to talk through their thoughts instead. "Other people have it worse." Comparing struggles minimizes their feelings. Let their experience stand on its own. "You should try not to think about it." Avoidance isn't the answer. Help them focus on solutions or coping mechanisms instead. Compassion > Quick Fixes. Always.

Anxiety is one of those things that everyone seems to know about but not everyone fully understands. Maybe you've felt it yourself—that uneasy knot in your stomach before a big exam, the racing heart when you're about to speak in front of a crowd, or the restless nights replaying a tough conversation over and over in your head. It's part of being human, but when anxiety starts to feel overwhelming, it becomes a different story. The Good Side of Anxiety Believe it or not, anxiety isn't always a bad thing. It’s your brain’s way of alerting you to potential danger. Picture our ancestors out in the wild—they needed a quick jolt of fear to escape predators. That fight-or-flight response helped keep them alive. Today, it might be what pushes...