Dealing with people that have GAD

[Heidrun]

What would be the most important things to know when you're dealing with people that have GAD?
So I mean if you have friends that have anxieties what are the do's and don'ts?
Maybe some people that have experience or have GAD can tell me?
Cheers.

 

[midnightphoenix]

One important thing to understand is that it's nothing you did or did not do, them having GAD isn't something you caused. Try and understand that they are not trying to upset you if you want to make plans to go somewhere with them and their anxiety prevents them from being able to do it

 

[Heidrun]

G

One important thing to understand is that it's nothing you did or did not do, them having GAD isn't something you caused. Try and understand that they are not trying to upset you if you want to make plans to go somewhere with them and their anxiety prevents them from being able to do it

Thanks for the answer, I know it’s not the problem I am causing. But I want try to break the barrier with these people, so they can explore things that would be normally unreachable...

 

[SomersetScorpio]

First of all I want to say how kind and thoughtful it is that you want to be supportive of friends who have GAD. I wish more people were like you!

I think midnight's point about being understanding if/when people need to cancel going somewhere due to their anxiety. I've been known to cancel at the last minute - I hate myself for doing it but sometimes there are things I just can't face.

Having said that, when I want to try something or go somewhere new, I give myself a rule that I can leave as soon as I want. Even if it means walking through the door, staying for 5 seconds and then going straight home again.
Sometimes it's the worry that I won't survive the whole of an event that puts me off going, if that makes sense? So if I feel I have to stay at a friends for a party for several hours i'm more likely to cancel. But if I know I could go after 5 minutes, i'm more likely to try.

I'm sure you don't give out any cliches but saying things like "Don't worry!" just isn't helpful.
If a friend has shared something they are worried about I think it's better to give evidence as to why that worry/anxiety is unlikely to happen is far better than saying that it's not going to happen. Reasons are helpful.

 

[Heidrun]

Thanks alot for your answer .
I know how offputting cliches are, don’t worry I am the last that would use cliches. So rationalisation of situations is probably the best method I guess.

I am not sure if I should confront them when I think I see signs of anxiety. Or if that would actually be worse than not noting it. Would ofc. do that when I am very sure it has to do with anxiety.

 

[SomersetScorpio]

Thanks alot for your answer .
I know how offputting cliches are, don’t worry I am the last that would use cliches. So rationalisation of situations is probably the best method I guess.

I am not sure if I should confront them when I think I see signs of anxiety. Or if that would actually be worse than not noting it. Would ofc. do that when I am very sure it has to do with anxiety.

I think just being honest and saying you've noticed they seem anxious is fine, and then asking if they want to talk about it or if there's anything you can do to help.
Your intentions are obviously good and so I personally don't see how you could upset anybody. Even if someone gets annoyed, I think they'd eventually understand that you only want to help.

 

[gam9147]

I think everyone's core anxieties are different with generalized anxiety, so its really hard to give a ruleset that will be good for 'anyone' with GAD. But the above responses are a very good start. When feeling bad I do like to know I have a 'way out', or that I will still be accepted and loved even if I can't face the current thing in front of me.