焦虑不是一种无足轻重的“阶段”。焦虑往往是精神疾病的症状。据美国焦虑抑郁协会的报告，大约18%年龄超过18岁的美国人口都受某种程度的焦虑症的影响。

　　If your loved one is struggling with anxiety, you will no doubt want to do everything you can to help them win that battle. But where do you start?

　　如果你的爱人在与焦虑的斗争中挣扎，你无疑想要尽一切努力来帮助他们赢得这场战役。但你该从哪里开始呢？

　　Understanding Anxiety

　　理解焦虑

　　In order to be able to help your family member who suffers from anxiety, you first need to be informed. There are three main anxiety disorders that have their own symptoms, but all three have a common core—irrational and excessive worry and fear.

　　为了能够帮助你患有焦虑的家庭成员，你首先需要知道这件事。有三种主要的焦虑症，它们都有各自的症状，但也有着一个共同的核心：不合理、过分担心和恐惧。

　　Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

　　People afflicted with generalized anxiety disorder can’t help but worry over the smallest things, concerning themselves with problems that don’t yet or even may never exist. After managing to get through another day, they lie awake at night imagining and stressing over the worst possible outcome of whatever situations the following day will bring.

　　广泛性焦虑症（GAD）

　　患有广泛性焦虑症的人禁不住会过度担心自己的事情，也会担心自己身上甚至都不存在的问题。在努力度过一天后，他们在夜间醒来，想象和紧张着在任何情况下，第二天都会带来的最坏的可能结果。

　　Panic Disorder

　　Those with a panic disorder experience sudden overwhelming feelings of fear that lead to breathing problems, dizziness, chest pains, and more. People with panic disorder will tend to avoid areas where they’ve experienced panic attacks before, due to fear the memories may induce another attack.

　　惊恐障碍

　　那些患有惊恐紊乱的人会突然感到恐惧，导致呼吸困难、头晕、胸痛，以及更多症状。有恐慌症的人会倾向于避免出现在他们经历过恐慌袭击的地区，因为恐惧的记可能忆会引发另一次攻击。

　　Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

　　Social anxiety disorder causes individuals to have difficulty talking with others even though they do want to have conversations. They often avoid places that usually have lots of people, even the grocery store. Making and keeping friends is often a daunting thought for them, as well.

　　社交焦虑症（社交恐惧症）

　　社交焦虑症会导致个人难以与人交谈，即使他们想和人交谈。他们经常避开那些通常有很多人的地方，甚至是杂货店。交朋友并维持下去往往也是一个令人畏惧的想法。

　　For more information on these anxiety disorders and their symptoms and treatment options, visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

　　有关这些焦虑症和其症状及治疗方案的更多信息，请访问国家心理健康研究所网站。

　　Helping Your Loved One‘

　　帮助你爱的人

　　If you have a family member who suffers from any of these anxiety disorders, there are ways in which you can help. Your loved one is facing a constant battle against stress and fear, which can be detrimental to their health, as well, so they could really use a dose of warmth and compassion from you. Your support throughout their battle is sure to lighten their load and perhaps even give them the boost of confidence they need to help them overcome anxiety.

　　如果你有家人患有这些焦虑症的任何一种，你可以用这些方法帮助他。你所爱的人正面临着一场持久的对抗压力和恐惧的战斗，这可能对他们的健康不利，所以他们真的可以需要从你这里得到许多温暖和同情。在他们的这场战斗中，你的支持肯定能够减轻他们的负担，甚至可能提升他们的信心，他们需要帮助来克服焦虑。

　　Make Time for Your Loved One

　　为你爱的人腾出时间

　　Many people who suffer with anxiety disorders lack the self-confidence to get themselves through social situations, especially when by themselves. Being around a loved one may make them feel more secure and more willing to open up even slightly in social situations. Arrange weekly outings for you and your family member. They can be anything from grocery shopping or spending a day at the mall, to visiting museums or galleries, or even just a walk around the local park. Regular outings are a great way to expand your loved one’s socializing skills and help them overcome their anxiety disorder, especially if they are suffering from a social phobia.

　　许多患有焦虑症的人都缺乏自信去面对社交场合，特别是当要依靠他们自己时。身边有一个被爱的人可能会让他们觉得更安全，更愿意在社交场合稍微开放心怀。为你和家人安排每周外出活动。他们可以从食品杂货店购物或在购物中心购物，去参观博物馆或画廊，甚至在当地公园散步。经常外出是扩大你所爱的人的社交能力，帮助他们克服焦虑症，特别是如果他们患有社交恐惧症时的好方法。

　　Help Your Family Member Discover a Hobby

　　帮助你的家人找到爱好

　　In addition to outings, try helping your loved one discover a new hobby. Taking up a hobby is an excellent way to relieve the mind of stress and worry, because many hobbies require concentrating on the tasks at hand. Some hobbies particularly helpful with people suffering from anxiety disorders are…除了出游，尽量帮助你所爱的人找到新的爱好。做自己爱好的事是缓解压力和烦恼的好办法，因为许多爱好需要集中精力去做手头的工作。一些爱好对于患有焦虑症的人特别有帮助…Never Judge Your Loved One

　　永远不要评判你爱的人

　　It’s in our nature as humans to judge others, despite our efforts to remain neutral. We develop our first impression of someone within seven seconds of our initial encounter, based mostly on nonverbal characteristics. But when spending time with your loved one, it’s important for them to know that you care about their well-being, despite their rocky situation.

　　尽管我们努力保持中立，但评判他人是我们作为人类的本性。在我们用7s时间建立的第一印象中，主要是通过其非语言的特点。但是当你花时间与你爱的人在一起时，他们知道你关心他们的幸福，尽管他们的处境很不稳定。

　　Your family member suffering from anxiety may find comfort in talking about their feelings with you, about the struggles they’re going through. You’ll improve your relationship with your loved one if you can overcome the curse of judgement and open your heart and mind to their situation, express your concern and offer a shoulder.

　　你的患有焦虑症的家人可能会在和你谈论他们的感情时刚到很舒服，能他们正在经历的斗争中找到安慰。如果你能战胜审判的诅咒，敞开你的心和思想，表达你的关注，并提供一个肩膀，你就会改善你与你爱人的关系。

　　Any anxiety disorder can be detrimental to a person’s health. If your loved one or someone you know is suffering from an anxiety disorder, be sure to reach out for further help, information, and support when needed.

　　任何焦虑症都可能对人的健康有害。如果你所爱的人或某个认识的人患上了焦虑症，你一定要在他们需要帮助的时候进一步提供帮助、信息和支持。