What not to do when someone is having a panic attack

[sorrowscall]

I had a panic attack a few weeks ago around a friend who didn't even know Panic Attacks were a real thing. As per usual, I couldn't breathe or move, he kept getting in my face and asking if I was alright. He kept touching my shoulders and he flashed a light in my eyes. I think he believed himself to be checking for dialation. Needless to say, the panic attack lasted much longer than what it normally did and I had to sit him down and explain it all to him. It's important to be near, but not too close. It's also extremely important not to touch me when I have a panic attack. I wasn't told to calm down but I did let him know of the usual procedure for when it happens.

 

[stogian]

Some great advice you shared right there guys!


I think it important for everyone to know what it should be done in such situations!

 

[explorerX7]

This is a really enlightening article because the usual thing for persons to do when they are confronted with someone that is having a panic attack is to tell them to calm down. People will do this because it's the only thing they know to do in a matter like this and if they are not told about the less than the desired effect it may on the person they will be constantly doing it out of ignorance. I wish that there could be some means and ways to sensitize much more people about what to and what not to do in a situation of this nature so that their intervention could be more useful

 

[djanx]

I agree with the first thing they said- don't tell a person having panic attack, because if they could have been calm they would have been calm! Generally, if you feel helpless as a bystander then imagine what the person suffering the attack is going through.


I think the best thing to do is to remind the person to breath deeply and to encourage them to get through the attack. Medication helps but only if they have it handy. In the old days, they used to give people brandy, but I am not sure if it's a "proven" technique.

 

[CT422]

the best thing people can do for me, personally, when I'm having a panic attack is to just let it happen. I don't like for people to overcrowd me or talk too much when it happens, but talking with one or two people always makes it better, especially if we don't talk about the attack itself.

 

[djanx]

Yeah, that is the best thing to do. Just let it happen. Focus on something concrete and do something like deep breathing for a while. Also, I forgot to mention that its also important to not surround a person when they're having a panic attack. The fewer the number of people, the better it is for the individual facing the attack.