YouTube Clip of the Week: “How to Help Someone Having a Panic Attack”
You can have panic attacks for many reasons — not just because you’ve been diagnosed with phobias, panic attack disorder or general anxiety disorder. For example, my migranes can trigger a panic attack. Panic attacks can be the sign of another illness that needs attention. And, of course, suffering a severe trauma like a car accident, mugging or finding your spouse in bed with your best friend can also trigger a panic attack.
Many people with depression do experience panic attacks or know someone who is afflicted with panic attacks. Although panic attacks suck, it can be even more terrifiying to watch someone else go through a panic attack rather than experience it yourself.
When I feel a panic attack coming on, I ask someone I know well to talk to me about anything. It helps distracts me from the whirling thoughts. I sometimes also put on a calming video or DVD to sort of self-hypnotise me back to tranquility (or my usual acidic version of normalcy.)
But my panic attacks are mild in comparison with other people’s. So it’s great that Expert Village did a little video series dealing with panic attacks in a practical ways. I found that the best in the series was “How to Help Someone Having a Panic Attack,” because it explains the difference between helpful eye contact and leering. It also explains when touching is appropriate.
I just want to add that you may also want to help the person breathe deeply and gently remind them that nothing bad is happening to them right now and that you know it’s not their fault that they get panic attacks.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
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March 28th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Hi.. Great article & great blog.
But if this is true, why even bother going to a proffesional?
Anyhow.. Subscribed to RSS
March 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Mental helath professionals can get at the root cause of why you are having the panic attacks in the first place and can prescribe medicines to help you learn better ways of coping with stress. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope this helps.