Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

It was terrifying to see a friend go into a panic attack. You feel helpless in the face of a seemingly simple (but usually not) situation. To help the person stop the panic attack as quickly as possible, follow the instructions below.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Situational awareness

1. 

   Understand what they are going through. People with panic disorder often experience sudden and repetitive panic attacks that last from minutes to an hour but rarely exceed this time, simply because the body doesn't have enough energy to supply it. grant panic attacks for so long. Panic attacks are characterized by fear of a disaster or loss of control, even though there is no real danger. A panic attack can occur without warning and for no apparent reason. In severe cases, symptoms can be accompanied by a great fear of death. Although the symptoms are very disturbing and can last from 5 minutes to more than an hour, panic attacks are not life-threatening.
   • Panic attacks culminate in the body, making the sufferer feel unable to control himself. Their minds are preparing for a bogus "fight or flight" mechanism, forcing their bodies to act to help them meet or flee the dangers they feel, whether real or not.
   • The hormones cortisol and adrenaline secreted from the adrenal glands enter the bloodstream, and the process begins - this phenomenon is central to the panic attack. Your brain cannot tell the difference between an actual danger from a threat you imagine. If you believe it to be true, it will appear as real in your mind. The sick person can act as though their lives are in danger, and they can feel real. Try to look at it from that angle; It's like you're getting a guy stuck a knife in the neck and saying, "I'm going to cut your throat, but guess when I decide to do it. Maybe right now ”.
   • There have been no reports of death from panic attacks. A victim can only die if medical conditions such as asthma are available or if extreme behaviors occur later (like jumping out a window).

2. 

   
   
   Keep track of symptoms. If the person has never experienced a panic attack before, the panic attack will be on two different levels - the second level is due to not knowing what's going on. If you could tell that they were experiencing a panic attack, that was in half relief. Symptoms include:
   • Palpitations or chest pain
   • Heart rate soared
   • Fast breathing
   • Shivering
   • Dizziness / lightheadedness / feeling like you're about to faint (usually from breathing too fast)
   • Finger or toe tingling sensation
   • Tinnitus or temporary hearing loss
   • Sweating
   • Nausea
   • Abdominal cramps
   • Hot flashes or chills
   • Dry mouth
   • Difficulty swallowing
   • Personality dissolution (feeling separated from the body)
   • Headache

3. 

   
   
   If this is the patient's first time having a panic attack, call an ambulance right away. When in doubt, it's best to call the ambulance. This is especially important if they already have diabetes, asthma or other medical conditions. Note that the signs and symptoms of a panic attack may be similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. This should be kept in mind when assessing situations.

4. 

   
   
   Find the cause of the panic attack. Talk to the person and determine that they are having a panic attack for which no other emergency (such as heart attack or asthma) requires a timely emergency. If the person has had a panic attack before, they can tell you what's going on.
   • Many panic attacks happen without a cause, or at least the sufferer is unaware of the cause, so identifying the cause may not be possible. If the victim doesn't know why, trust them and stop asking questions. Not everything has a clear reason.
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Method 2 of 3: Reassure the patient

1. 

   Remove the cause and move the patient to a quiet place. The person in a panic attack probably wants to leave where they are. (However, you should not do this if they do not ask. The fact that you take them somewhere else will make them even more panic, as they will then feel insecure and not aware of their surroundings. So if you're going to take the victim somewhere, ask them first and let them know where you're going to take them.) To stay safe, take them somewhere else - preferably an open, quiet place. Never touch a person having a panic attack without asking and obtaining their consent. In some cases, touching someone who is having a panic attack can cause the victim to panic even more.
   • Sometimes people with panic disorder have ways and medicine to overcome the panic attack, so ask what you can do to help them. Maybe they want to be somewhere.

2. 

   Talk to them softly but firmly. Be mentally prepared that the patient may try to escape. Even in the midst of a tough battle, it is extremely important to stay calm yourself. Tell the person to stay still, but never grab or hold them, not even gently restraining them; If the person wants to get active, ask him or her to stretch, jump in place, or go for a brisk walk with you.
   • If the sick person is at home, ask them to rearrange the closet or clean the house. Their bodies are ready for a fight or flight response, so directing energy to other objects or a specific constructive task can help them cope with physiological effects. Achievement can in fact change a person's mood, and focusing on another activity can dispel nervousness.
   • If the person isn't home, suggest another activity to help them focus. This operation can be as simple as bringing your arm up and down. When they start to get tired (or bored by the monotony), their minds will be less focused on the panic attacks.

3. 

   Do not disprove or despise their fear. Sentences like "nothing scary," or "it's just in your head," or "you're overreacting" will make the situation worse. is very practical, and the best thing you can do now is help them cope - rejecting or underestimating their fears can worsen the panic. "You'll be fine" and keep breathing.
   • Emotional fear is just as real as a vital threat to the body. So it's important that you take their fears seriously. If their fears are not based on reality and they are reacting to the past, you can help them by mentioning certain facts in reality. "This is the Son we are talking about, he never said patting other people's faces when they made mistakes like Mr. Quan before. He just reacted as usual as always and probably helps. You. This will pass quickly, and he doesn't think it's serious. "
   • Asking questions like, "Are you responding to what's going on or to something in the past?" with a calm tone of voice can help a victim reorganize their thoughts to differentiate flashbacks from current warning signs. Listen and accept their answers - sometimes people who have been abused react very strongly to real-life warning signs. The best way to assist them in this case is to ask questions and let them sort out those facts.

4. 

   Don't say, "Calm down," or "There's nothing to panic like that. _The great attitude can make them even more frightened. Furthermore, saying that you have nothing to fear will only remind them of how far they are from reality, leaving them. more and more panic. Instead, try saying something like, "I understand you're confused. It's okay. I'm here to help you.", Or "It's going to pass quickly. I know you're scared, but there's already. I'm here, you will be okay. "
   • It is important that you take this as a matter of serious matter such as a leg injury and massive bleeding. Although you can't see what's really going on, there's something terrifying to them. That situation was real in their mind. The only way you can help them is to look at the problem from that perspective.

5. 

   Don't put pressure on them. This is not the time to force patients to come up with answers or do things that might increase their fear level. Reduce your stress levels by creating a calm environment and letting them relax. Don't insist on making them think of what causes them to panic, as that will only make the situation worse.
   • Listen supportive if they try to sort out what they are responding to. Don't judge, just listen and let them talk.

6. 

   Encourage them to try to control their breathing. Regaining control of their breathing will reduce their symptoms and help them calm down. Many people have a panic attack short and fast, and some people hold their breath. This condition reduces the amount of oxygen you take in and causes your heart to beat faster. Use one of the following methods to help them return to normal breathing:
   • Count your breaths. One way to help the victim do this is to have them inhale and exhale according to your count. Start by counting out loud, encouraging them to inhale for 2 counts, exhale for 2, gradually increase to 4 beats, then 6 if possible, until they are breathing slowly and steadily.
   • Ask the patient to breathe in a paper bag. If they can, give them a paper bag. Be aware, however, that the paper bag itself can be a frightening agent for some people, especially if they have had a negative experience of being pressed against a paper bag during previous panic attacks.
     • This method works to prevent tachypnea, so it may not be necessary if you are helping someone who is holding their breath or breathing slowly during a panic attack. However, if necessary, this method is done by breathing the inside and outside of the paper bag 10 times, followed by 15 seconds of normal breathing without the paper bag. It is important not to breathe too much in the paper bag, in case the carbon dioxide gets too high and the oxygen level drops too low, causing other serious health problems.
   • Encourage them to breathe in through their nose and out through their mouths so that they breathe out like a balloon. Do it with them.

7. 

   Keep the victim cool. Many panic attacks can be accompanied by a burning sensation, especially around the neck and face. A cold object like a wet washcloth can often relieve this symptom and help reduce the severity of the panic attack.

8. 

   Do not leave the patient alone. You need to be with the person until the person is over. Never leave a person having difficulty breathing. The person having a panic attack may be hostile or rude, but understand what they are going through and wait for them to return to normal. Ask if they have helped in previous panic attacks, if they need medication and when.
   • Even if you don't feel any of the above helps, understand that you need to distract them. If left alone, the victim will be left with only themselves with their thoughts. Just your presence helps them connect with the real world. Being alone in a panic is a terrible thing. However, when you are in a public place, you should make sure that people keep their distance from the patient. Everyone may mean well, but this will only make the situation worse.

9. 

   Wait for their panic to pass. Even though this time may seem like an eternity (even for you - especially for the patient), the panic finally ends. will pass. Panic attacks generally peak in about 10 minutes, then gradually subside.
   • Milder panic attacks are more common longerBut people who panic will also cope better, so time is not a very important issue.
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Method 3 of 3: Handling an intense panic attack

1. 

   Seek medical help. If symptoms persist within a few hours, you should consider seeking emergency medical advice. While this is not a life-threatening situation, you should still call, even just for advice. The emergency room doctor will usually give the patient a medication called Valium or Xanax, and possibly a Beta blocker such as Atenolol to calm heart rate and reduce adrenaline levels in the body.
   • If this is the first time a panic attack is occurring, the patient may want to seek medical attention out of fear.However, if they have ever experienced a panic attack in the past, they will probably know that first aid can make the situation worse. Please consult them. The final decision will depend on the patient's experience and your interactions with them.

2. 

   Help the person with panic seek psychotherapy. Panic attack is an anxiety disorder and requires specialist treatment. A good therapist will identify the triggers of the panic, or at least help the patient better understand the physiology of the situation. If the patient starts therapy, let them handle it at their own pace.
   • Let them know that psychotherapy is not for people with dementia. This is a mainstream therapy that is helping millions of people. Furthermore, a therapist can prescribe medication to control the disease. Medications may not completely end a panic attack, but they certainly help reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.

3. 

   Take care of yourself. You may feel guilty that you are also panicking while your friend is having a panic attack, but that's okay. Understand that anxiety or fear is a natural response to witnessing a person having panic attacks. If you find it helpful, ask the person if you can talk to them so you can handle it better later. advertisement

Advice

• If the person has phobias and this triggers the panic attack, help keep them away from the trigger.
• Get out if panic attacks arise in a crowd or noisy place. The patient should be relaxed and out of space.
• Research shows that petting a dog will help lower blood pressure, if they have pets nearby.
• If someone near you has panic disorder and panic attacks are frequent, it can be stressful in your relationship. How to deal with the effects of panic disorder in the relationship is beyond the scope of this article, but in general you should seek professional help.
• Less common symptoms include:
  • There are disturbing or negative thoughts
  • Thinking hard
  • It feels unrealistic
  • It feels like the end of the world
  • Feeling like dying
  • Rashes
• If the person wants to be alone, take a step back, but don't leave.
• Have them imagine a beautiful landscape like a beach or green meadow to calm their mind.
• If you don't have a paper bag, try asking them to cuddle their hands and breathe through the small hole between your thumbs.
• Don't hesitate to call the ambulance for help, it's their job!
• Ask the patient to focus their minds on colors, patterns, and counting. The brain can't focus on those things and the panic attack at the same time. Also, if this is a relapse, reassure them they will be okay. Have them repeat the phrase "I will be okay".
• Encourage them to go to the toilet so that toxins are released from their body and help them focus on other things.
• The "child" pose (a yoga pose) can help calm people down.

Warning

• Panic attacks, especially in those who have never experienced it, often manifest as a heart attack. However, a heart attack can be life-threatening, and if you can't tell the difference, it's best to call an ambulance.
• If you are using the paper bag breathing method, cover your nose and mouth with a sealed paper bag to make sure the exhalation will be re-inhaled. Do not put the bag over your head and never plastic bags are used.
• Note that many people with asthma also have panic attacks. The key is for these people to control their breathing. If the patient is unable to restore normal breathing and is not treated in time, the consequences of an asthma attack can be very serious, in some cases fatal.
• Check to make sure that the cause of your breathlessness is not asthma, as asthma is a completely different medical condition and requires different treatment.
• During a panic attack, people with asthma may want to use an inhaler because they feel their chest is squeezed and short of breath. Make sure they are having a panic attack, not an asthma attack, as using an inhaler when not needed can worsen the panic attack because the medicine in the inhaler works to increase the heart rate.
• Breathing in a paper bag also means breathing in carbon dioxide, and this can lead to respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is a dangerous condition that prevents oxygen from binding to hemoglobin (blood). Any attempt to control panic attacks using paper bag breathing should be closely monitored, or not used at all.
• Although most panic attacks are not fatal, if the panic attack is caused by an underlying cause such as heart palpitations or arrhythmias, asthma, and / or physiological processes of the opposite nervous system. Sympathomimetics is out of sync, the patient is likely to die. Tachycardia can lead to death.

What you need

• Paper bags (option)
• Wet towel