Helping can often times be the best help

[Feelinganxiousallthetime]

I wanted to share something that seems to help me when I am dealing with anxiety or panic attacks. I have met a few people who suffer and deal with anxiety on a daily basis just like I do. We have exchanged numbers so we can text each other when going through something and need support. I can honestly say that when I am helping someone else out with their issue I almost completely forget about my anxiety. I love this site for the same reason...not only for the shared experience support, but to help others and forget bout our struggles if even for a little while.

[camel]

I agree 100%, when you are focused on helping someone else you are distracting yourself from your own feelings and that is what makes this site so great. Mutual help and support.

I am glad you have come to realize this, many others could really benefit from the same realization.

 

[Tam0630]

My favorite quote from the movie Patch Adams when talking about his time in the psych ward:

"How did they help you?"
"The doctors didn't help me. The patients did."

He also mentioned that by helping others, he learned how to deal with his own issues and got better. For those unfamiliar with the movie, he ended up going to med school, reaching out to patients with humor and went on to become a successful doctor helping patients unconventionally. He helped those without insurance, that regular hospitals couldn't help. The movie is based on a true story.

Helping others always, always helps me. I spend a lot of time in chat helping people, giving the way I was given and while not everyone is receptive, a lot have been and have been better for it.

Distraction of any kind is a good thing and when you give to another person, you are in turn healing a part of yourself. If you can see outside of yourself and give to someone else in the midst of your own pain, you grow substantially as a person.

I'm always hearing and reading people saying "well I don't know how to help, I'm too messed up myself." Quite frankly, that's bull. A kind word of understanding, more often than not,  goes much further than any advice you can give someone. You don't need a degree in psychology or sociology to understand a person's pain and let them know you understand and are there. A smile when someone has lost hope, a gentle touch of understanding and compassion or a gentle hug mean far more to someone than telling them what they should do or where they should go.

We can all do something, if we try. We have all needed understanding at one time or another and if we can look into our pasts and remember how alone we once felt, we will see just what kind of a difference we can all make.

[tinam7]

Oh, I so agree here. I tend to be a critic of current culture and am inclined to pin much of the blame on technology. But self help sites such as AZ are truly fantastic.

We have the opportunity to maybe help someone else but we also can do so much for ourselves in several ways. Posting can be daunting at times, but the rewards can be magical. Three cheers for AZ and everyone here.

[Cilantro]

Helping out definitely makes me feel better, too. Sometimes life sucks, but it might take a few minutes to make things better for someone else. I only talk in-depth about my problems to two of my friends with GAD and OCD, though...

[NCLakeGuy]

It would be nice to have someone to communicate with, text or E-mail that understands and doesn't judge!!!  I hate to put discomfort or worry on my friends, so I tend not to talk about my anxiety.......an anxiety buddy would be great!!!!  :-)