If you are helping a loved one who is suffering with anxiety, it can be tough to know how to support or what words to say. You will be doing your best to support them, and that is great. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the rate of anxiety among LGBTQ+ community is approximately 2 times higher than those of straight or gender conforming counterparts.

That said, anxiety does not discriminate: your best mate, or that beautiful woman with the sparkling smile or that gorgeous rugby hunk could be suffering with anxiety.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019, I tweeted and asked my followers

“What words of support help you with anxiety?”

If you are supporting someone with anxiety, here are some things that could be helpful to say.

Followers were so kind in providing things that have helped them when they are suffering with anxiety.

Different things work for different people. For example, “it is going to be ok” works for me, but this doesn’t work for @Hannah_moohand.

Hannah said “I struggle with “it’s going to be ok” only because during an ‘attack’ I can’t think like that. But definitely the 2nd & 3rd Also, “I’m here if you want to talk, if not, then I’m just here.”

Remember that there is no one size fits one, and what works for one person might not work for another.

Below is a selection of things that help some of my twitter follows when they are suffering with anxiety (in no particular order).

@Dublinman2 “I am in this with you, I have got your back, it’s okay to fall apart I’m here.”

@rachelsarah_m “A reminder to take some deep breaths helps me as I’m usually taking panicky short breaths.”

@jeffbray11 ‘Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed for feeling like this. I understand how real this is for you. No matter what, WE will get through this’.

@v0id_magg0t “this will pass”

@j_kicinski “I’m here for you…. Let’s go for a walk and have a chat”

@Richard46979103 “Knowing someone will listen to me , just knowing I’m not alone”

@Popthebubble75 “It’s ok to feel the way you do…your feelings are yours, they are not to be questioned by others”

@LunarMeow “You’ve been here before, you can get through this. Breathe. I’m here for you. What do you need? What can I do?”

While it is great to know what does help, it is also helpful to know what does not help.

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Do you have any words that help you with anxiety?