I think it is great that you are looking into information about what to do if someone that you care about or someone that you know is suffering from panic attacks and you are are wondering how you can help for panic attacks (PA).
Well, first of all, I need to emphasize that I am not a medical expert or a doctor. And I strongly urge all panic attack sufferers or those who experience the symptoms of PA to seek the opinions of their family doctor.
The first thing you need to understand as someone that doesn't have panic attacks or anxiety attacks is that those that do, are not in danger.
Let me explain, you see, our bodies have this 'fight or flight' response whenever we sense or know there is danger lurking about. Our ancestors have used this mental tool to survive. But in our modern world, there is still dangers all around us but not necessarily immediate danger.
There is a difference... and this is why most of people can "normally" tell the difference whether or not they are in any danger and how to respond to that threat if there was danger. Those who suffer from anxiety attacks and panic attacks however, their brains signal the body that there is immediate danger. And the body responds with symptoms that are quite similar to those of more serious medical issues.
This is why the very first thing you should do is make certain that the person is suffering from panic attacks... and her/his doctor already ruled out the more serious medical conditions such as heart attacks and others.
If this person NEVER discuss the symptoms with their doctor... urge them to do so. Because you will never know unless the doctor declares that they are not in danger from any other issues. For instance, some symptoms of panic attacks is being overcome with paralyzing sense of fear and anxiety. Shortness of breath. The heart is trying to pound it's way out of the chest. There may be some trembling or shaking of the extremities such as fingers or hands. There may be a lot of sweating. Feeling dizzy or light-headed. The fear of falling asleep because you may die. And the list can go on. But there are lots of similarities between panics and more serious health issues.
So be sure that person consults and is check over with their family doctor. It is real important that they do.
If you do know for sure that it is a panic attack, the next thing you should do is be aware that you MUST be calm about the situation. You need to be the rock which the sufferer is depending on to come out of the anxiety attacks.
The next thing to do is make sure they are breathing properly. Sometime they will be breathing too fast. Others may "hold" their breath. So get them to slowly breath... 1... 2... 3. And then let out their breath three seconds. Get them into the routine of taking deep and slow breaths until the anxiety or panic attack subsides and things are getting back to normal again.
To sum it up... if someone you know or care for is suffering from symptoms of PA. Make sure they see a doctor if they haven't yet to make certain it is a panic attack and not a more serious medical condition. The next thing is to be calm and stay with them through this episode so they know someone is watching and helping them through this. The next thing to do is get them to breath slower and deeper so slow down the feelings of panic and anxieties. The last thing to do is have them seek out options to control their panic attacks. And the person that can do this is their doctor. Usually, the doctor will prescribe medication or suggest therapy. This solutions may not be for everyone because they can be expensive and there is always unpleasant side effects from medication.
Please go to my website at http://www.cure-anxiety-attacks.com for more resources how to deal with panic attacks, anxiety attacks and stress relief ideas. Don't forget to sign up for my free newsletter and get a free stress relief book. Go here for more ways how to help for panic attacks and find out how the sufferer can naturally end their fear of getting another panic attack forever and live a normal life again.
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