Understanding someone can be difficult, and when anxiety and depression is thrown into the mix, it can seem almost impossible. This is especially difficult if you don't actually know anything about them, which can make it seem pretty hard to help. Ultimately, all of these points can be applied in any sort of relationship - whether it's a friendship, family, or a romantic relationship or interest.
1. BE PATIENT
Having anxiety can make it hard to be patient sometimes and when it's really strong, you might find someone snapping or getting annoyed at even just little things. This is where we might need you to be a bit more patient to make up for us not being, and to ease the pressure a little. With depression, we need you to be patient with us on those days where we find it hard to get any motivation even for something as simple as getting out of bed.
2. BE REASSURING
Sometimes we just need the reassurance that we're not being annoying and that you understand where we're coming from even if you might not necessarily agree with what we're thinking. We need that reassurance that you are there for us and that you're not going to leave, sometimes, particularly if it's bad we might even need the reassurance that you are real and not just something made up in our minds.
3. BE ACCEPTING
This ties in with the reassurance as it means a lot if we know someone is accepting us for being how we are and not judging us for the way act sometimes, whether in general or because of the thoughts in our head from the anxiety and/or depression.
4. LISTEN & UNDERSTAND
At times we might just need to vent about what's going on in our minds and to know that someone is really listening. To listen and understand what we're saying and not with the intent to try and fix/get rid of all of our problems but just to listen to what we're saying and how we're feeling. Sometimes when there are hundreds of thoughts going around in our heads it can be hard to put them into words and so it just comes out as kind of gibberish, to know us well enough that you can guess and understand enough to help us put those thoughts into words can mean a lot.
5. GIVE SPACE IF NEEDED
Some people find it easier to calm down by being left alone and given some space, whether that be because that's just how they work or because the touch or even possibly presence of someone else can trigger them and make it worse. For example,
6. KNOW THEIR TRIGGERS
Everybody has different triggers whether they come from past experiences or just who they are. It helps to know these triggers so you can avoid bringing them up and to be there to help if someone or something else accidentally brings them up.
7. KNOW TECHNIQUES TO HELP & WHAT WORKS FOR THEM
There are a lot of techniques out there to help with anxiety and depression so knowing these can be a huge help. However, some of these don't always work for everyone and some people might have specific things they do to help themselves, so knowing these ones is extremely important.
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