7 Things Not to Say to Someone With Anxiety

1. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

    It is that big a deal. At the moment that person is anxious or having a panic attack it is a really big deal. Their emotions are on an extreme high. By saying that it’s not a big deal is invalidating their feelings. The person is probably already feeling down and you would just be adding fire to the flame.

2. “You shouldn’t be scared/nervous.”

    First, no one has given any right to tell anyone how to feel. Second, there is nothing helpful or supportive about telling someone they shouldn’t feel something they are already feeling. You may not be feeling scared or nervous, but you don't know what's going through that person's head.

3. "I get nervous too, you know."

    Having an anxiety attack or feeling anxious is not the same as feeling nervous. When you’re feeling nervous you still feel as if you’re in control of what's going on around you.

4. "You’re being so dramatic."

    If a person were to break their leg and was acting a certain way, would you tell them they were being dramatic? No, you would feel sympathy for them. Mental illness is just as serious as something physical.

5. "Why are you so nervous?"

    A lot of the time when a person is anxious they can’t pin down a trigger. When asking this question it can often come across with a mocking tone.

6."I mean you’re right, anything that could happen."

Anything can happen but, when a person is thinking about anything and everything that can go wrong it's not helpful to feed into a persons fears. 

7. "Have you tried medication?" 

    It is never anyone's business to ask anyone if they have tried medication. They could have pure intentions, but it comes off as problematic or rude. Medication isn’t always the answer.