10 Ways to Help Loved One Through a Panic Attack

Panic attacks can target a person anywhere and anytime. They do not wait for an invitation nor do they come with a prior warning. Panic attacks can have deep effects on a person emotionally and physically.

Victims of panic attacks are all across the world. Therefore, it is extremely helpful to be aware of the physical and emotional symptoms of a panic attack and to know how to act in that situation.

Read on to find out 10 extremely effective ways to help someone through a panic attack.

1. Do Not Make Assumptions

To start off it is crucial that you do not assume how the person is feeling and what do they actually want. Just simply ask them what they need and how they feel so you can act accordingly.

Assuming things can lead to frustration in a person experiencing a panic attack so it is advisable to avoid that, rather asking them politely how you can be of help can prove to be beneficial.

2. Stay Calm

It is understandable that these situations can be overwhelming but it is vital that in such situations you yourself stay calm and analyze the situation. Your calm behavior and understand the response to the person can help them feel safe and calm as well.

3. Help with Some Breathing Exercises

Breathing properly can be very effective in releasing stress and anxiety. People under a panic attack may experience breathlessness. Breathing deeply and releasing it calmly is a technique very useful to control your panic attack.

Assisting someone under a panic attack in calming down and taking deep breaths periodically can be very effective in releasing tension and making them feel better. 

4. Offer Any Existing Medicine That the Person Uses

You can offer the person to get them any medication that they may already be using for their panic attacks. People who tend to experience such conditions regularly often get themselves medically treated and have certain medication prescribed to them.

So, it is always a smart move to right away inquire about any medicine that you can provide them immediately.

5. Speak in Short Sentences

Special care should be taken in how you approach a person experiencing a panic attack. How you talk to them makes a big difference. It is suggested that you use short and simple phrases to communicate with someone in a panic attack. Long sentences are harder to comprehend by said person and may even elevate the situation by causing more anxiety.

6. Stay with the Person and Reassure Them

Panic attacks may often not last more than 30 minutes. They are temporary. It is extremely important that you stay calm and be there with the person under a panic attack. Your presence is enough to significantly relax the person as they do not feel alone.

So, next time to happen to be around a loved one going through a panic attack, make sure you stay close and let them feel comfortable!

7. Listen to Them and Be Encouraging

Listening to someone is a basic thing to form a connection and trust. You can show an encouraging behavior towards your loved one under an attack and listen to them carefully. Showing compassion is fruitful as it helps the person under distress to form a connection with you and feel better about the situation, and what they talk about how they feel they let go of the burden that they are carrying hence feeling calmer.

8. Try to Develop Acceptance and Recognition

It is important to realize that a panic attack is only temporary. You can make an effort to get this idea across to the person under an attack that this is something only temporary and you will definitely make it out of it. Realization of the fact that it is something temporary helps calm down the perso

9. Engage in a Conversation

Engaging a person into topics of their interest is an effective tool. This can quickly help distract a person from a potential trigger of a panic attack and keep them in check.

10. Do Not Seem Irritated or Judgmental

You may not want to look irritated and judgmental towards a person under a panic attack. It causes distress and feelings of discomfort within the person. This will only lead to worsening of the situation as your body language would cause them more anxiety. 
It is advisable to be extremely gentle, caring and polite with the person which would ultimately help relax them!

Keep these important tips fresh in your mind as they might just come handy to you anytime and anywhere!