How To Help Someone Panic Attack?
Panic attacks frequently happen to anyone without warning so if an individual experiences an attack, it is essential that you recognize what what you can do by understanding what exactly a panic attack is. A panic attack is a sudden flood of overpowering fear or anxiety that manifests itself with many signs and ailments. Throughout an attack, a person goes through many symptoms including some of these: racing heartbeat, constrictions in the chest, breathing problems, stomach problems, constricting muscles, trembling, profuse sweating, feeling light headed, feeling hot and cold, tingling, a feeling of detachment, losing control and a fear of dying.
Seek for emergency medical help as it’s critical to call for a health professional especially if an individual undergoes a panic attack for the first time. Identify the root of these symptoms because the signs and symptoms of the attack are like medical conditions i.e. hyperventilation or even shortness of breath may be an indicator of asthma, while pains in the chest, elevated pulse or palpitation and sweating might be a coronary. Speak with the person and decide if the symptoms are the result of different conditions nevertheless, if you’re not sure, a physical would be a great help.
While waiting for help, find the cause of this panic attack. When it’s established that the cause of the symptoms is really a panic attack, find the root of this attack and remove the individual from it but do not make an assumption about what it is the individual requires. An individual that is suffering from the attack may know exactly what to do or possesses pills that would move them through the episode, so it is best to ask. Do not surprise the patient, so be predictable with any moves you make which also indicates you must not grab, hold or constrain them. Calm them down and remain calm on your own - you could do that through comforting the individual that it’s going to be okay but do not dismiss his fear by saying “get a hold of yourself”. Make note that the fear is very real to the victim so it dismissing their fear has no effect or might actually make the matter worse.
Assist the person in controlling his respiration because several people hyperventilate throughout a panic attack, though other individuals simply hold their breathing. Using a deep respiration technique is a very effective way to purge the symptoms of a panic attack as well as calm the person. Assist the individual and instruct him to inhale for three slower long seconds, and then request that they withhold their breath for three slow counts and then exhale out for about three slow counts. Do this several times until the individual becomes relaxed though alternatively you can also advise them to exhale using a bag. That way, he’ll re-breathe his carbon dioxide which helps correct the blood acid level which was disrupted through unnecessary breathing but be careful when using bags as they might activate another terror.
Remain with the individual throughout his ordeal especially if they are experiencing problems breathing. Most importantly be, even if they’re rude or unfriendly towards you, simply understand that it’s not permanent and should go back to normal when this ordeal is over. Do not forget that for the patient, the fears are very tangible so reassure the person that assistance is on the way. Never allow the person perform anything that will put their life in jeopardy.
