How to Alleviate Panic Attacks : Things to Avoid When Helping with a Panic Attack - How to Alleviate Panic Attacks : How to Use Comfort Words During a Panic Attack

How to Alleviate Panic Attacks : Things to Avoid When Helping with a Panic Attack




Hi, this is Ben Brennan from Austin, Texas,
I'm coming to you on behalf of Expert Village
and today we're going to be talking about
panic attacks. Okay now let's talk about what
not to do when someone you know is experiencing
a panic attack. One thing you do not want
to do to comfort a person during panic attack
is to try to teach them a new technique that
you think will help. This is a great thing
to help during the more calm time during the
day but during a panic attack it is very unlikely
that the person is going to be able to learn
a new skill. If you watched the video on breathing,
you learned that it could take weeks to breathe
properly. You can help them by a technique
like breathing if they are already trying
this themselves, that's fine. But don't try
to teach any new complex maneuvers. A second
thing not to do when a person is experiencing
a panic attack is to panic yourself. If your
friend was having a asthma attack, would you
light up a big cigar and throw smoke in her
face to make is worst? In the same way the
worst way to help someone who is having a
panic attack is to go into panic mode yourself.
They are trying not to panic and what they
need from you is a calm place to relax their
nerves. This definitely includes not calling
more attention to your friend by informing
everyone in the room that this person is having
an attack and needs their help. One or two
friends by your side is comforting for most
people. Twenty people crowded around you during
a panic attack is a nightmare. A third thing
that it is important not to do is ignore the
fact that they are experiencing a panic attack.
Sometimes loved ones will do this for any
number of well meaning reasons but panic attacks
can make an individual feel very isolated,
embarrassed and terrified. Ignoring your friend,
reinforces the idea is that they are an embarrassment,
or that no one knows what they are going through,
which are frightening when accompanied by
the physical symptoms of panic attacks. So
to review; teaching a new technique to someone,
panicking yourself, or ignoring that panic
attack going on, are three things that you
definitely do not want to do to help someone
during a panic attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVde2NPCBjo


How to Alleviate Panic Attacks : How to Use Comfort Words During a Panic Attack




Hi, this is Ben Brennan from Austin, Texas,
I'm coming to you on behalf of Expert Village
and today we're going to be talking about
panic attacks. Alright now I like to talk
to you about what to say to someone when they
are experiencing a panic attack. Panic attacks
usually involve the individuals body and mind
communicating things to the person that are
scary or depressing. Such as you are alone,
no one understands or this panic attack will
last forever or until I die. Even if they
know these thoughts or feelings are inaccurate,
they may still feel just as realize any truth
to the sufferer of panic attacks. The most
helpful things to say to someone who is experiencing
a panic attack will combat these negative
ideas with the positive ones and encourage
more rational positive thinking. I am here
for you, this helps combat the isolation many
people experience during a panic attack. It
also let's them know that you are supporting
them and not mad or put out in any way by
their panic attack. Another thing to say to
comfort a person during a panic attack is
we can do whatever you need. Using 'we' emphasizes
that you are in this together, this phrase
also let's the person know that whatever it
is they need it is okay. This is very comforting
to someone who feels that their panic attack
isn't annoyance to others and that asking
for help would just be putting them out more.
There's one caviot to this final item on the
list; you only want to say the following to
someone who is experiencing multiple panic
attacks and is more of a veteran or you will.
That being said, someone who has gone through
many panic attacks may know in their heart
that this one too will eventually end but
they may still feel like it will never end.
In this situation it is helpful to remind
them that the panic attack will in fact end
soon and it won't go on forever. Saying these
three things to a person having a panic attack
will help them in their time of need. Keep
in mind that words are not enough and that
they are best used with warm eye contact and
appropriate physical touch to engage the body,
mind and heart and help through these very
trying moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ6E4QKBfwc