What's the best way to support someone who can't think right thanks to their anxiety?

1. Be patient. 2. Tell them to take a deep breath. 3. Tell them you are there for them. 4. Ask them how you can support them. 5. Just be there. 6. Don't judge them or tell them they're overreacting.

Anxiety is a terrible trick of the mind.. Understanding somebody who is suffering is key. People tend to confuse anxiety with 'loosing control' or 'going crazy' - which can be terrifying! I find that reassuring people who feel anxious or panicky that they are NOT crazy and are certainly NOT loosing control over their body! It's just a way your mind is coping with stress or situations. The more you fight anxious thoughts the more stronger they can become. So relax and try not to worry. I know it feels awful, but you are ok and will be ok! YOU ARE THE MASTER, MIND IS YOUR SERVANT. Now breath and smile.. Everything will be ok!

Show them your love and support, having someone there is one of the most precious aids, i'm sure they'll appreciate it!

The best way to support someone struggling with anxiety, is to validate their feelings. Let them know that you care about them and that you want to be there to support them. Don't force solutions on them, everyone copes differently. Don't tell them they have "nothing to feel anxious about," or otherwise make them feel like they're being "ridiculous" or "irrational." Remember that the person feeling anxious doesn't want to be feeling that way, and if they did get to choose how they were feeling, they wouldn't be feeling anxious.

First of all, it's very important to help them relax. This can be done by teaching them to inhale and exhale from the abdomen. It will actually calm them down and bring the hearbeat to a normal level. It's important for someone with anxiety to reduce the fight or flight mind set , only then will they be able to share or listen to others.

I would say that one of the best ways to support someone who is feeling overwhelmed with anxiety or is dealing with problems caused by anxiety, would be to understand their situation. You cannot know exactly how they are feeling and will not be able to make their anxiety go away completely but the first step in helping them would be to understand their situation. When you know how they feel and what might be causing it, that's when you can start to help. Do not try to solve their problems. Start with just trying to calm them or help them find their happy place. If you can let them know that you're there and you will help them then that's another good step. Most of all, try to find them professional help. If it is a severe case of anxiety they may need temporary or semi-perminant medication. You need to understand that you cannot help them with everything and that the best you can do for them is to be there and show support.

Try your best to put yourself in their shoes. How would you like to be supported if you were in that situation? Act on that. There are a lot of help guides for anxiety {including 7cups ones} so try reading those to understand how they feel, or send them the links.

Convince them you are always there for them to help and support and if anything goes wrong you are capable of handling it. Ask them to practice breathing exercise and create a positive environment.

Something as simple as standing with them, holding their hand, reassurance and telling them that it's okay would mean so much to somebody who is struggling with anxiety. Remember to tell them that they've dealt with this before and it passed eventually. "This too shall pass"

Be a calm presence in their life. By having someone calm around them, it will help keep them calm themselves. Try and help, without being overbearing :)