Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety

Anxiety is a terrible feeling that many children suffer from. Sometimes, it takes a while for parents to notice before they step in to help. Other times, they don't notice at all. If you are having trouble helping your parents understand your anxiety, this article will provide easy steps for you to follow. There are a few different ways to communicate with your parents.

Steps

 * 1) Talk to your parents. Communication is a key factor in relationships, especially if you want your parents to receive clear messages. In order for them to be able to help you, they need to fully understand your anxiety. By sitting down with them and explaining your feelings, you will be able to help them realize what they can do to soothe your worries and fear. Find an appropriate time to have a conversation with them, such as when you all are in a good mood. For clear thoughts and sharp communication skills, be sure that you are in your best state of mind when talking to them.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *If you are too afraid or embarrassed to talk to your parents, write them a note explaining your anxiety. You could also politely suggest ways that they could help you. To prevent other family members from reading it, seal the note inside an envelope and leave it on their pillow.
 * 3) *Take advantage of online articles. Find ones that teach parents how to deal with children who suffer from anxiety. Print it out, and cross out the points that don't apply to you. Leave the article with your parents so they can read it and talk to you later.
 * 4) Use quotes. Although you may want to communicate with your parents, you may not be able to find the right words to explain your anxiety. Print out anxiety related quotes, and leave them in your parents' bedroom or in their workspace. Hopefully, it will help them understand your point of view, and they can find an appropriate time to talk to you.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Find an appropriate time for a conversation. Understand that while you may want to talk to your parents, you must ensure that you all are in the right state of mind. If you or your parents are experiencing negative emotion or feel overwhelmed, you all will not be able to properly communicate. Appropriate times may be during the evening or before bedtime when your parents are relaxed after a long day. Telling them during these quiet times will allow you to go to sleep, as well as remove a huge burden from your shoulders. It will also give you enough time to prepare your speech without feeling hassled.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Practice your speech. In order to remain calm during the conversation, talk to yourself and rehearse your lines. Be sure that they are clear and straight to the point. Remove unnecessary words or explanations that may distract your parents from the main problems. You could also imagine their reactions and prepare as necessary. However, avoid assuming the worst. Realize that you cannot accurately predict the future and that your parents will love you no matter what. Although you may expect them to react negatively, you may be surprised when the opposite occurs.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Tell a trusted friend or adult. Before talking to your parents, you could tell someone else about your anxiety and see what they can do to help you. They maybe able to drop hints to your parents, and help you plan your lines. Although you may be hesitant to tell people about your anxiety, understand that it will help to know that someone supports you. Be sure that you can trust the person before telling them.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Remain calm. Although talking to your parents may be a difficult process, understand that you must restrain your emotions to prevent them from clouding your message. Emotional outbursts will only hinder your parents from understanding your points, as well as what they can do to help. Stay strong and make frequent eye contact to show that you are determined to get your point across. If your parents appear upset, understand that they may be angry with themselves for not having noticed your anxiety. Avoid jumping to conclusions or expecting the worst.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Remember that your parents love you. Remind yourself that they love you and want the best for you. Their unconditional love will be able to cover all aspects of you, even your anxiety. Although telling them about your anxiety may seem frightening, you should realize that you can trust them to support and care for you.[[Image:Get Your Parents to Understand Your Anxiety Step 7.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * If you don't want to tell them in person, send notes, poems, or quotes. You could even email or text them.
 * Tell them how you want to handle it. There's no point doing all this if you don't even know what you want to happen. Your parents will just be confused and things will carry on as they were. Have a set plan.

Warnings

 * Avoid growing angry with your parents for not noticing your anxiety. Understand that they are doing their best to care for you. By communicating with them, you will be able to resolve this problem.