This article is mostly written for allies who may be reading to learn more about how to support someone who has an anxiety problem rather than for people who already experience anxiety.
In full openness, I have no knowledge of whether any of the topics I write about have been supported by scientific research. Instead, my experiences serve as the sole basis for my writing. In any case, I wouldn’t have written this if I didn’t genuinely think it would resonate with the anxiety and mental health communities in general.
A Different Approach to Assisting Someone with Anxiety
Neurotypical Normativity’s Bias
The bias of neurotypical normativity is the phrase I want to use to more accurately characterize a problem that I believe can hinder the treatment of those who are mentally ill. Although it may sound complicated, it’s really rather straightforward: essentially, it contends that actions exhibited by neurotypical individuals (i.e., those without a mental illness or developmental impairment) are regarded as desirable and ought to be imitated.
As I previously stated, this attitude can actually obstruct any kind of appropriate care for someone who is actually suffering from a mental disease. Naturally, we’ll take anxiousness as our example. You are a neurotypical individual who is asked for assistance or guidance by a friend who suffers from anxiety. What action do you take right away? Thinking about what works for you and seeing whether the worried person might apply that to their own life would be a natural response.
The Issue of Neurotypical Normativity’s Bias
I don’t have a bad opinion of those who adhere to the neurotypical normativity bias because it makes perfect sense. Why shouldn’t someone’s habits be imitated to aid someone with anxiety if they don’t have anxiety issues? It would seem to be the simplest method to assist.
But it’s important to keep in mind that anxiety, just like any other mental disorder, has a real impact on the structure and operation of the brain. In a neurotypical individual, that reasoning might make great sense, but it cannot be expected that it will apply to an anxious person.
What does this entail for aiding in the treatment of someone who is experiencing anxiety? How can we determine what will be the most efficient?
In the simplest terms, we can’t and shouldn’t make assumptions. In terms of what causes it and what may be helpful in treating it, anxiety can be quite individualized. Although it may be more difficult and time-consuming, a personalized approach to anxiety treatment is ultimately more humane. More antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, tricyclic and MAOI antidepressants, as well as esketamine clinic, may be recommended by your doctor.
Treatment is ineffective if the root of the patient’s anxiety is not addressed. Additionally, giving persons with anxiety little agency by presuming that duplicating the same activities neurotypical people use will be successful. Everyone involved must be prepared for the possibility that what they may need does not fit the neuronormative model.
Even though you might not want to acknowledge your uncomfortable physical symptoms, making it a habit to regularly take a moment to tune into yourself deeply and give your body your full, attentive attention can help you better understand how stress and anxiety affect you. Your body will let you know where and how it hurts so you can give it care right where stress and anxiety are present.
After all, anxiety is a terrible, stifling thing to have to deal with. Although it’s normal to want your nervousness to go away, impatience can also be a major contributor to anxiety. Instead of focusing on eradicating anxiety, let’s look at impatience itself to see if it might not be contributing to your anxiety. Then, when you develop patience, worry will lessen as a result.
This was not a picture of calmness, but rather of impatience and worse: We formed a conga line of stress, anxiety, and probably poor health. I realized that even though I was in and out in 20 minutes, my tension and worry increased because I had more important things to complete. I wanted to finish them so I could finally unwind and calm my worry and anxiety. This approach is not constructive.
