Any suggestions and advice would be helpful!!

[Isla22]

Hi,

Someone close to me has anxiety and is really struggling with social outings (leaving the house) and this can be with people that he is comfortable with. He can't identify any other triggers other than leaving the house but it doesn't occur every time or straight away. I want to best support him as it's affecting him more frequently and preventing him from doing things he previously loved. Any advice or strategies or things I can do to help would be extremely helpful. Thank you!

[Petal22]

Hi Isla22,

Wellcome to our forums!

Sorry your friend is feeling this way, I had severe anxiety OCD it was very intense and debilitating.....

Has your friend seeked help from a gp? It’s a good place to start.... they can do a mental health plan together this will then give them access to a phycologist who can give them many strategies for their anxiety..... if anxiety is affecting their life then I’d highly recommend they see a professional....

I’m forever grateful for the help I received from health professionals I don’t know we’re I’d be without their help...

One thing I learned with anxiety was not to do what it was telling me to do it only reinforces the anxiety......

here to chat and let your friend know they can overcome what they are going through with the correct help..

here to chat to you

[jtjt_4862]

Hi Isla22,

Welcome to the forums! Sorry to hear that someone close to you is being impacted by anxiety. Anxiety is generally caused by intrusive thoughts in a person's mind, and it can be overwhelming to the point that it impacts their daily lives.

While I do not have a profession in dealing with anxiety, but I hope these ideas may be able to help you and your friend.

One thing you could try would be to invite them to have an open conversation about what do they have on their mind at the moment. As you listen to the person's thoughts, validate their thoughts by looking from their point of view. Even though some thoughts might not make sense, avoid making statements that belittles them like "I can't believe you're thinking about this". Everyone's feelings are valid. You can then check with them to see if they would like some professional support to help them cope with their anxiety (either through calling the Beyond Blue Support Line, or visiting the GP for a referral to a therapist or other professional service). Love and acceptance is the key to supporting someone going through anxiety.

Hope your friend will be alright Isla22, and also do check-in on yourself as well when supporting someone going through a hard time. I'm ready to listen to you as well if you'd like to chat more.

Jt

[geoff]

Hello Isla, and a warm welcome to the forums and thanks to those above me for replying back.

There can be a way as well, which can be done with a psychologist and also by yourself when they have the confidence and it's referred to as 'desensitisation' or 'Exposure therapy' which helps people able to overcome situations like this and can certainly help with any type of phobia.

It gradually allows the person to become used to a situation they are afraid of doing and has been suggested for me to help with a phobia and know that it has helped people in overcoming their fears.

You can find it on the net or if they have a telehealth appointment, can be mentioned to a doctor.

Like to know if this will help them.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Isla22]

Thank you Petal22 for your advice. They originally had a first appointment with GP and then a therapist but didn't like either of the professionals and hasn't attended since. He has now booked in with another professional and hopefully this one might be the right one.

I'll pass on your advice in regards to not do what it's telling you to do. Thank you once again!

[Isla22]

Thank you jtjt_4862 for all your advice! I'll try to have an open conversation like you suggested I think that could really help him. We've sought support from a professional and hopefully this professional will be the right fit as previously some professionals weren't for him. Thank you once again for your support!

[Isla22]

Thank you geoff for your advice! I'll definitely have a look into desensitisation and see if it helps him. Thanks again for your advice!

[Petal22]

That’s ok Isla22,

Sometimes it takes a little while to find the correct fit but he will! Keep trying until he does... that’s wonderful he is seeing a new professional, wishing him all the best.... he will get there and please tell him he’s not alone...

here to chat

[Gabs_]

Hi Isla,

I'm so sorry to hear your friend is going through this.

I had a similar experience after being in lockdown for an extended period. At first I would have minor panic attacks at the shops, then it became being overwhelmed by everyday "social" noises, and then I could hardly leave the house because the anxiety was so overwhelming.

I would definitely suggest:

1- Going to the GP. Get a referral to a psychologist/psychiatrist and possibly consider going on some prescription medication (obviously the GP would be best placed to discuss his symptoms and what may be of benefit);

2- Going to a psychologist or psychiatrist to work through the anxiety and the triggers. They might even consider exposure therapy (this is something I did, where I slowly exposed myself to going to the grocer and worked my way up).

3- I would also suggest sending the below resources to your friend as reading material and worksheets to work through. These really helped me and gave me some good tools and perspective to question my anxious thinking. They also explain how the anxious cycle which reinforces the anxiety the more you avoid.

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Anxiety

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Social-Anxiety

I hope this provides some assistance. Please remind your friend though that support is always available and that he is not alone.

Take care