The Fine Line Between Helping and Rescuing

Navigating Burnout and Anxiety in Your Relationships.

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

Are you someone who constantly puts the needs of others before your own, even to the point of exhaustion? Do you often feel anxious and overwhelmed when you see loved ones struggling and feel a strong urge to take control of the situation? If so, you may struggle with the fine line between helping and rescuing.

According to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, more than 60% of Americans report feeling stressed due to taking on too many responsibilities. The pressure to be a constant source of support for others can lead to burnout, frustration, and feelings of unappreciation.

So, what’s the difference between helping and rescuing? Helping is about giving someone what they need based on their request while rescuing alleviates your anxiety by controlling the situation.

To better understand the difference between helping and rescuing, let’s break it down into five parts: goals, behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and underlying problems.

1. Goals: When helping someone, you work towards their goals, not yours. Helping is about empowering others to take control of their lives and make their own decisions. Rescuing, on the other hand, is about achieving your own goal of…