5 Aiding Steps To Assist A Person Under A Panic Attack
Panic disorder is on the rise in America today. Although most sufferers of Panic Disorder have the condition under control, there are still circumstances where a sufferer may have a severe panic attack in a public place. If this happens, there are thing that anyone can do which will make the attack easier to deal with for all involved.
1 – Keep calm. The last thing someone needs while having a panic attack is to have others around them panic, too. Speak calmly, reassuring the afflicted individual that the situation is not what it appears to be. Keep in mind, that what they feel is very surreal and their whole world has been turned upside down. In their mind, no one understands what they are going through.
2 – Do not overreact. Most of the time, it isn’t necessary to call 911 unless the person having the attack has injured themselves or someone else. Paramedics won’t treat the attack any differently than a calm observer of the crowd would. The person dealing with the attack suffers embarrassment just as much as the attack when it’s happening. Shouting or yelling loudly with sirens in the background isn’t going to help. Move the person to a quiet place and wait with them until the panic attack has passed.
3 – People or Open Spaces may be the problem. Try to find a place to take the sufferer where they are not exposed to these two potential triggers (unless the attack occurs in a small space such as an elevator, where claustrophobia rather than agoraphobia may be a triggering factor). Gently but firmly insist to other members of the public who are not remaining calm that the incident is under control and that they should leave the area where the sufferer is. Make sure the sufferer is not unduly crowded.
4 – Determine if the person under attack is on medication and if so, help them locate it. Since while under attack they may recall what they are taking and the dosage, but where they put it may slip their mind. Reassurance will help to calm them down and it even will assist them to think more clearly, enabling them to find it. Your role is not to force them into looking for anything, but just to help them to remain calm.
5 – Stay with them until the attack passes. Attacks generally don’t last more than a half hour at best. Oftentimes, the attack will come to an end and the person will regain their ground within 15 minutes. Staying with the person will lessen the effects of the attack that they are feeling, knowing someone is nearby to help. Just give them some time to locate the medication.
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