What can I do when I’m too afraid to ask for help?

First, I just want to say that you writing this question is you asking for help. So that’s really great.

When we are afraid to ask for help it usually means we have some ideas or beliefs about what it means if we do. So what is it you believe about asking for help that makes you afraid? Some things to consider:

Do you believe asking for help is a weakness — that you will be seen as not being strong enough to do it yourself?
Do you believe that if you ask for help you will be burdening or bothering others?
Do you feel like you don’t know exactly what you may need so it keeps you from asking?

It can be helpful to first try and understand what it is about asking for help that scares you. Oftentimes, it really is a belief we have about it — which is often not really true.

Also, how do you feel when people ask you for help? Do you have compassion for whatever their struggle may be? Are you wanting to help them? If so, see if you can allow yourself to know that the same could apply to you when you reach out for help.

Lastly, telling someone you are afraid to ask for help may be the place to start. Sometimes just telling someone what we feel is what really gets us what we need.

Aimee Falchuk