10 QUESTIONS

TO ASK
SOMEONE WITH
ANXIETY
wholewellnesstherapy.com

HOW TO USE THIS SHEET:

Ask first. Make sure that you and your loved one are both on the same page
about the purpose of this worksheet: as a way to help you start a dialogue
and improve your interactions around anxiety—not to "fix" their anxiety.
Go at your own pace. This should take about 30 minutes, but take as much
time as you need to thoroughly understand what the other person is saying.
Stay curious. Ask How? When? Why? Feel free to write the answers on this
sheet so that you can refer back to this at anytime.
Don't force anything and let your loved one lead. This is not intended to be
used during an anxiety attack, but helps you prepare ahead of time.

QUESTION #1
"I want to understand how you experience
anxiety. What is it like for you? How does it
impact you?"
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

QUESTION #2
"When you are having an anxiety attack is there
anything that makes it worse?"
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

QUESTION #3
"How do you feel loved by me and does that still
apply when you're having an anxiety attack?" (1)

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

QUESTION #4
"Do you want me to provide comforting touch
or not (e.g. gentle back rub, hug, etc.)?"
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

(1) LOVE LANGUAGE INFO:

HTTPS://WWW.GOTTMAN.COM/BLOG/LEARN-SPEAK-PARTNERS-LOVE-
LANGUAGES/
 wholewellnesstherapy.com

QUESTION #5
"Does it help if I say anything or is there
something you want to remember when you're
having an anxiety attack?"
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

QUESTION #6
"What helps you get grounded?" (2)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

QUESTION #7
"Should I help you with any kind of physical
movement (e.g. go for a walk, etc.)?"
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

QUESTION #8
"Should I help guide you in some way (e.g.
breathing techniques, etc.)?" (3)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

QUESTION #9
"If we're in public and you feel an attack coming
on, how will you let me know (e.g. code word)?"
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

QUESTION #10
"Is there anything I can get for you during an
attack (e.g. water, weighted blanket, etc.)?"
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

(2) GROUNDING TECHNIQUES:

HTTPS://WWW.THERAPISTAID.COM/WORKSHEETS/GROUNDING-
TECHNIQUES.PDF

(3) BREATHING TECHNIQUES:

HTTPS://WWW.VERYWELLMIND.COM/ABDOMINAL-BREATHING-2584115