How to Help Someone Having a Panic Attack?
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009The fact of the matter is that panic attacks often occur to a person with no prior warning so if a person experiences a panic attack, it’s critical that you know what to do by knowing what exactly a panic attack is. A panic attack is a instantaneous surge of overpowering abhorrence or anxiety which manifests itself with many indications as well as symptoms. During an attack, a person goes through many symptoms including some of the following: palpitations, constrictions in the chest, unable to get their breath, stomach problems, constricting muscles, trembling, perspiration, feeling light headed, hot or cold flashes, numbness, feeling detached from the surroundings, losing control and a feeling they are going to die.

Look for emergency care as it’s important to look for an expert particularly if an individual experiences a panic attack for the initial time. Isolate the root of the symptoms since the signals and ailments of the panic attack are like different conditions i.e. hyperventilation or even shortness of breath could be a sign of asthma, whereas chest pain, increased pulse or shaking and perspiring can be a coronary. Talk to the person and determine if the symptoms are the result of different conditions nevertheless, when in doubt, a physical will be a great help.
While awaiting help, find the cause of attack. Once it is determined that the cause of the symptoms is really a panic attack, locate the source of this panic and take the person away from the source however don’t make an assumption about what the individual needs. An individual that is afflicted by this attack may understand precisely what action to take or possesses pills which will get him through the episode, therefore it is best to ask. Do not surprise the patient, so be consistent with your movements which in addition indicates you must not snatch, handle or constrain them. Keep them calm and stay calm on your own - you can achieve this by reassuring the individual that everything is going to be okay but do not belittle his fear by saying “get a grip”. Take a note that this fear is very real to the one suffering the attack therefore it dismissing the fear doesn’t have any effect or might even make the matter harder.
Help the patient to control his respiration because many people hyperventilate during a panic attack, though others simply hold their breathing. Using a deep breathing technique is an extremely effective way to remove these ailments that accompany the attack and will also calm the patient down. Assist the individual and tell him to inhale for three slow long seconds, and then ask them to withhold their breath for 3 slow counts and exhale out for another 3 slower counts. Repeat that several times till the individual becomes calm though alternatively you can also advise them to exhale into a paper bag. That way, he’ll recycle his carbon dioxide that will assist in correcting their blood acid level that was disrupted through excessive breathing however be careful if utilizing paper bags as they might activate an additional terror.
Remain with the person throughout the ordeal particularly if they’re having problems breathing. Most importantly be, even if they are abrasive or unfriendly at you, simply understand that it is not permanent and will go back to the way it was as soon as this ordeal is over. Try to remember that for the patient, the thoughts are real therefore reassure the individual that help is forthcoming. Never let the person perform anything that will put their life in danger.