Nearly 1 in 5 people have an anxiety disorder, so there's a good chance you know someone with anxiety. There's an equally good chance that you've been a support to your loved one or colleague—and said or done things to them that they perceived as unhelpful. Here are some things not to say to someone who suffers from anxiety:

1. "Calm down!"

Telling someone to "calm down" doesn't help at all. If the person experiencing anxiety had the ability to calm down, then they would not suffer from this disorder. For someone with anxiety, this phrase is annoying. Try saying something like, "I'm here for you," "I'll listen," or "I'll stay with you."

2. "It's no big deal"

Most people with anxiety know that some of their thoughts are irrational and out of proportion to the situation at hand. Telling someone in the middle of an anxiety (or panic) attack that what they're worried about "isn't a big deal" is very wrong. 

3. "Why are you so worried?"

This is an impossible question to answer! Sure, some people may occasionally be able to identify the source of their anxiety at a given moment, but often, anxiety and panic attacks strike for no apparent reason. 

4. "I Know How You Feel"

Unless you have an anxiety disorder, you have no idea what it's like to be crippled by anxiety. Sharing your experiences with anxiety with someone who is in the middle of a panic attack is not helpful.

5. "It's all in your head"

Në njëfarë niveli, njerëzit që kanë çrregullime ankthi e dinë se shqetësimi është 'gjithçka në kokën e tyre'. Por kjo nuk e bën ankthin ose frikën e tyre më pak reale. Shprehja e kësaj fraze hedh poshtë shqetësimet dhe ndikimin që ka ankthi në jetën e tyre. Në vend të kësaj, përpiquni të ndihmoni individët me ankth të lidhen me botën fizike përreth tyre. Ndihmojini ata të gjejnë një vend të qetë.

6. "Përpiqu ta kalosh"

People do not choose to have anxiety. It is a health condition, just like diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure. Telling someone to "get over it" is insensitive at best; at worst, it signals an unwillingness to help the individual cope with a chronic condition and the distress in question. It's much more helpful to show your support, even if you don't really understand the situation or how it feels.