If you know someone who has panic disorder, then you clearly understand how disturbing and frightening this episode can be. A person experiencing a panic attack will have sudden feelings of dread that often come without any warning.
In addition, repeated attacks will lead to intense anxiety between episodes, especially because of the constant fear that another attack will occur. If you are eager to know how to help someone who is having a panic attack, then it means that you clearly understand how panic attacks negatively affect your loved one's life, and you want to be as supportive as possible.
The most important thing to remember is that you will need to stay calm when someone is having a panic attack so that their anxiety doesn't get worse. These simple steps will help you offer support and help to your loved one whenever such episodes occur, so read on.
Step #1: Recognize the situation
You may not be able to help someone if you don't understand what a panic attack is and what the common symptoms are. A panic attack stirs a person's body to peak levels of arousal, leaving them feeling beside themselves.
It is characterized by the fear of disaster even in the absence of real danger and can last from 5 minutes to an hour. Symptoms include complaints of dry mouth, feeling suffocated, fast heart rate, sweating, tremors, hot flashes and dizziness.
A person may also complain of numbness in the fingers, abdominal cramps and headaches.
Step #2: Ask the most important questions
It can be difficult for someone having a panic attack to focus clearly, so make sure you only ask the most important questions.
Find out the cause of the attack, although most people will not be consciously aware of what could be the cause. If they don't know why they're having a panic attack, don't be persistent - stop asking.
Step #3: Eliminate the cause
It is absolutely necessary to either get rid of the trigger or take the person to another area, away from the trigger that caused the panic - preferably a quiet and open place.
Never touch a person having a panic attack without getting permission, as this can increase the panic and make the situation worse.
Step #4: Speak in a calm and soothing voice
Although this can be a challenging task, you will need to stay calm and reassure them that everything is okay. You will need to repeat these words and comfort them until the person is comfortable and the physical symptoms are sure to subside.
Use words like "You'll be fine" rather than "Calm down" or "Don't panic."
Step #5: Take a deep breath
Breathing is one of the important exercises that will help your loved one to eliminate physical and psychological symptoms and at the same time allow them to calm down. Sit them down and listen to their breathing.
It may be difficult for them to take deep breaths at first, so try counting the breaths to encourage them to breathe. Additionally, you can offer your loved one a paper bag to breathe into if they are receptive.
Step #5: Keep Them Cool
A person experiencing panic attacks may have feelings of warmth around the neck and face. Use a cold washcloth to help reduce this symptom and minimize the severity of the attack. If possible, let them drink a glass of cold water, but make sure they sit up first.
Step #6: Stay with them
The most important thing to do for someone having a panic attack is to stay with them unless they ask you otherwise. Never leave them alone. Even though they may seem rude and hostile, you need to understand what they are going through and stay with them until they get back to normal. Ask what has worked for them in the past and when they take their medication.
Step #7: Seek medical attention
This is one way to deal with severe panic attacks, especially if the symptoms do not go away within a few hours. Consider seeking medical help over the phone as well. If this is their first episode ever, they may want to see a doctor because they are afraid of what is happening to them.
Wrap it up
A professional therapist may be able to pinpoint what triggered the panic attack, or at least help the person psychologically understand the situation. Let your loved ones know the importance of therapy and encourage them to seek help.
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