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Helping a Loved One With Social Anxiety

close up of one family member holding another's hands as a gesture of helping a loved one with social anxiety

Watching someone you care about struggle with anxiety is not easy. Getting them the help they need will be the best thing you can do for them for the immediate future and the long term. Anxiety treatment can come in the form of an inpatient residential program or an outpatient program, depending on the treatment facility. Various therapeutic modalities are available to help craft a customized treatment plan for each individual.

To find Texas anxiety treatment, call on the experts at The Arbor at 844.413.2690.

Tips to Help Someone With Social Anxiety

You may be wondering how you can help someone you care about with treating their social anxiety. First things first is to identify the signs that they are dealing with anxiety. Someone may experience an episode and not even realize it is due to their anxiety until after the fact.

Here are some signs to help you help a loved one recognize when an anxiety attack may be upon them:

  • They feel faint
  • They experience excessive sweating for no apparent reason
  • Their breathing is fast and labored
  • Their mind is constantly racing
  • They are focused on what could go wrong
  • They avoid situations because of the “what ifs”
  • They become noticeably irritated or frustrated

Awareness will help you to be able to better understand this mental illness and how it affects your loved one. Educating yourself will allow you to be the most supportive ally you can be.

Once you are aware of their anxiety and what it looks like, you can further be mindful of what kinds of situations can cause an anxiety attack. The situations can include:

  • Being introduced to people for the first time
  • Being asked to share their opinion
  • Social events like parties
  • Dating
  • Daily interactions with schoolmates, co-workers, family, or friends
  • Phone conversations

Anxiety Treatment in Texas

There are many therapeutic modalities that can be used to treat anxiety. It requires learning coping techniques, building a toolbox to manage future hurdles, and making healthy lifestyle changes. A professional treatment program can set you up for success and provide an avenue for aftercare that supports recovery for life.

Anxiety treatment can include:

  • Experiential therapies like yoga, equine, or art therapy
  • Breathing exercises
  • Physical aerobic exercise to help with releasing endorphins
  • Designing a healthier diet plan alongside a dietician
  • Support groups with family and peers
  • Behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR

Anxiety comes in many forms and can manifest itself in different ways. They come alongside worry and fear, as well as dreading certain situations. Social anxiety specifically incorporates the feelings of self-consciousness when in certain situations that can range from everyday interactions with people to instances where you are on display to perform in some way.

The most common anxieties that people suffer from include:

  • Social anxiety
  • Generalized anxiety
  • Panic
  • Specific phobias like agoraphobia
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Discover Socialization Tips for Social Anxiety at The Arbor

Anxiety is not something to be ashamed of. Many people struggle with anxiety. Managing it can be the hardest part. Instead of allowing a loved one to turn inward and avoid people and responsibilities, encourage them to get professional help. Developing coping techniques and arming yourself with the tools you need to better deal with your anxiety is the key to living a healthy and more confident life. Anxiety treatment can include a combination of behavioral therapies, traditional talk therapies, and experiential therapies.

The Arbor offers:

  • Residential treatment
  • Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
  • Sober living program
  • Relapse prevention
  • Family programming
  • Alumni program
  • Dual diagnosis for co-occurring mental health disorders
  • Substance use disorder treatment

Call The Arbor at 844.413.2690 or reach out online to learn more about anxiety treatment options in Texas.