TW // anxiety (tw for the whole thread)
This is the first thread of the project and it will be about anxiety. Please read through it till the end! xx

disclaimer: all symptoms and summaries in this thread do not replace a real diagnose!

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?
First off all, let's start with a quick explanation:
anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses/disorders characterized by feelings of fear and 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲?
anxiety is mostly a worry of future events and our body's natural response to stress

These feelings that were mentioned in the first tweet of the actual thread can cause physical symptoms. We will list some of them in the next tweet of the thread!!

𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬
Common symptoms;
-a dry mouth
-sleeping problems
-panic/feelings of panic, fear
-not being able to stay still/calm
-being unable to concentrate
-overthinking (rumination)
(those are a few symptoms we could find)
disclaimer: this doesn't replace a real diagnose!

𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
•a time-out! - listen to some music, practice yoga, learn relaxation techniques, maybe get a massage,
•get enough sleep! - your body needs rest and also you need get some rest
•take deep breathes!

•count to 10! - or 20 when necessary
•do your best! - don't aim for perfection (isn't possible), be proud of however close you can get
•limit alcohol and caffeine!
•learn what triggers your anxiety! - can be really helpful

•talk to someone! - tell you friends and family how you feel and show them how they can help you. For professional help talk to a therapist or physician

𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
•Educate yourself about what can help anxiety! - if you know the specific type of anxiety the person you want to help has, you can try to find ways that could help for that specific type!

Understanding what can help anxiety/helps anxiety takes time and effort but you can do it if you are willing to take this whole thing step by step and to re-read anything you don't understand right away!

•going to a yoga class together/ do breathing exercises or meditation together!
•help your friend to break free of avoidance behavior! - (examples; avoiding phone calls/getting started on tasks that feel intimidating/repairing mistakes/making requests/..)

They may find it helpful when to talk through the steps, they need to do to break free of their avoidance. Help them to identify and/or take the first step if they find it helpful!

Bonus; if someone is having an anxiety attack, try to help them to concentrate on slow breathing and try to be physically present with them. Try to notice what they find calming and what may triggers them when they have an anxiety attack.

Help them to focus on their thoughts and breathing!
Link to a YouTube video with breathing exercises/help! https://m.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=odADwWzHR24
Link to an "article" with breathing exercises/help!
https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety

We hope that this thread could help you to understand some things or could help you in general! Let us know if something is wrong or if you have to add anything! xx
- @ReasonBeingUK & J.