How To Help Someone With Anxiety Attacks: 6 Tips For Supporting A Loved One With Anxiety
Anxiety attacks or panic attacks can be very distressing and disruptive to daily life, causing an overwhelming feeling of anxiety or fear. Knowing how to help someone experiencing an anxiety or panic attack is essential for providing emotional support and helping them overcome this terrifying experience. While anxiety attacks and panic attacks have some overlapping symptoms, they are not exactly the same thing. Panic attacks are generally considered to be more severe and have a more defined set of symptoms, while anxiety attacks may be less severe and shorter in duration.
If you want to help someone with anxiety attacks or panic attacks, here are six tips for supporting them:
Stay calm
It is crucial to remain calm and composed when helping someone with an anxiety or panic attack. The person is likely to look to you for reassurance and support, so it is essential to remain calm and confident.
Encourage them to breathe
Breathing exercises can be helpful in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. Encourage the person to take deep, slow breaths in through their nose and out through their mouth. This can help them to slow their breathing and reduce the intensity of their symptoms.
Offer reassurance
Reassure the person that they are safe and that you are there for them. Let them know that what they are experiencing is temporary and that they will get through it.
Help them to focus
Help the person to focus on the present moment and not on the cause of their anxiety. Encourage them to identify five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. This can help them to ground themselves and stay present.
Be patient
Anxiety and panic attacks can be very intense and overwhelming experiences. Be patient with the person and allow them to work through the attack at their own pace. Don’t try to rush them or force them to do anything they’re not comfortable with.
Help them seek professional help
If the person experiences frequent or severe anxiety or panic attacks, it is recommended to seek professional help. Encourage them to speak to a mental health professional who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
To identify the signs of an anxiety attack, you should be aware of the common symptoms. Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks can include chest pain, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, and more. Psychological symptoms may include a feeling of impending doom or danger, a sense of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control, panic, terror, or extreme anxiety. Once you have identified these symptoms, you can then begin to provide emotional support and help the person through their anxiety or panic attack.
In conclusion, helping someone with anxiety attacks or panic attacks requires patience, understanding, and emotional support. Staying calm, encouraging them to breathe, offering reassurance, helping them to focus on the present, and being patient are all important steps in helping them through their anxiety or panic attack. Identifying the signs of an anxiety attack can also help you to provide the right kind of support. Ultimately, seeking professional help is recommended for those experiencing frequent or severe anxiety or panic attacks.
