How do I talk to my family and friends about my anxiety?

The best way I've found to tell my loved ones about it is calmly, and through analogies they might understand, like how there are legitimate physical symptoms (that often make my anxiety worse) and how improving your anxiety is a gradual thing, and it might still sometimes come back, and that support really helps. For example, my parents kept telling me to not be stressed, often in a frustrated way, which only stressed me out more. When I was feeling calm and not as anxious, I asked them to understand that I know the reasons I get anxious might sound silly to them, but the best thing they can do to help me is to offer support without advice. Like hugs and distracting me instead of trying to get me to try things to make me calm down, or just telling me that I'm fine and to quit worrying so much. It actually worked pretty well, and now they're much more supportive. Some friends and family, especially if they don't have anxiety problems, might have a really hard time understanding or supporting you, even if they want to. Instead of frustrating you both, it might be better to find a few people who can be your support.

If you want to talk to you family and friends about it i think that you should sit them down and tell them how you feel. But if you feel like telling your family and friends is your only option. Its not. you can go to a professional like a psychologist or someone.

You may want to sit them down on a good day. slowly tell them and explain. Tell them prime examples.

You need to try and just talk. I know it sounds hard but once you take that plunge, it all just starts coming out and the more that people know, the more they can help :)

Do not get frustrated, it's important you educate them on anxiety, this may be a process. Show them evidence and let them understand your struggle and why it's important that you receive their support and kindness. Explain why you've come out to them and why their opinion or reaction means so much to you.

First breathe, and try to bring yourself to your present goal. Do not let anxiety talk you out of talking! Then, simply talk, focus on talking. No focussing on mind games such as belief in what they might say. Good luck!

You be direct, don't sugar coat it and just tell them what is going on, I hope it goes well for you, best of luck.

For me personally, I find that it is easiest to talk about anxiety when I am feeling calm, as my old therapist use to say, strike while the iron's cold. So I wait till i am feeling calm and stable and then I ask them if they would like to know more about my anxiety and what it feels like. I either do that, or when I am feeling anxious, I simply mention how I am feeling at that moment. Talking about anxiety can be rough, so typically when/if I plan to speak about my anxiety, I like to do so with my cat snuggling safely in my arms.

It is important for your loved ones to know and understand the things you struggle with. The first step to talking to your family and friends is making sure you are educated on the situation so you can educate them. It is important for them to know how anxiety relates to you as an individual and what everyone can do together as a whole to minimize your anxiety. Try bringing it up over dinner or while alone with a trusted friend-chances are they’ll care about your well being!

tell them you are feeling anxious and uncomfortable in situations, they will totally understand and help you in every way possible.