Panic Attack? 4 tips to Help!

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I would like to share with what you should do to help your friends or families who‘s having panic attack. I know what it feels to have panic attack, the overwhelming feelings and adrenaline rushing through the body like roller coaster plunged down the trail. It becomes worse when people around are clueless what to do and the worst part is they would say ‘you are overreacting’. (If you are about to say such things to any of them who suffer from panic attack, just bear in your mind that it is something that you don’t want to experience, and so do them).

Here are things that you can do to help them and these are what I need when I exhibit symptoms of panic attack.

Hold

A person who suffers from overwhelming anxiety is extremely frightens. They feel like chocking and hardly breathe. It is good for you to hold them depends on your relationship with them. If you think that it is appropriate, it is okay to hold them like patting their back, put your

arm around their waist because touch could give them sense of calmness. And it is okay too to hug them, but remember, don’t hug them too tight as this could make them feel worse. This is because panic attack make people feel suffocated even they are not, hugging them tight is not a good idea but to touch them gently can help the panic attack to subside.

Empathy

Show your empathy by listening to them attentively. Listen to whatever they say, their worries, their doubts, their anxiety. Don’t argue with them if you think their feelings are too much or even if you think that those feelings appear without solid foundation. Show your compassion by telling them comforting words like ‘It is okay, everything’s going to be fine’, ‘You are doing okay’, ‘You can breathe’ or what ever positive words that can pop up in your mind during that particular episode. Let them know, you care for them.

 

Breathing techniques

Apart from that, you can guide them for a simple breathing exercise. Ask them to follow you and this can help a lot, more than you know. Count while breathing and take some time to make them feel better while doing the breathing techniques. Breathe  slowly through your nose to fill your lower lungs and upper lungs afterwards. Hold your breath for three seconds before exhale through your pursed mouth. This is the most basic technique to do and you can google more for details explanation.

Stay calm

To make them feel calm, first and foremost you have to stay calm. Don’t get panicked and agitated. Help them to ground themselves by letting them make conversation or just simply talking. Maybe it is about the episode that they are having currently or maybe it could be something else that can make them happy and better. Don’t rush them as well, let them take their time to recuperate. It takes time for a panic attack to subside, but it will subside.

These are the four steps or ways that you can do to help people who suffer from panic attack and general anxiety. Lend a helping hand during this occasion would mean a lot to them. I know we do not recognize much of this issue here, but we can make small changes by giving them moral supports as an initial point for major changes in the future. YES WE CAN DO IT!