How can others act when I am having a panic attack?

When i am having a panic attack it helps me when people stay calm, tell me i'm going to be okay, hug me and remind me to breathe.

The most beneficial way that people have helped me when I have experienced a panic attack is to remain calm. If the other person becomes anxious and afraid it adds to the panic attack. The second thing to do is to help the person breathe. The most effective way to stop a panic attack from spiraling out of control to start to encourage the person to take deep breaths, from the diaphragm and try to help them get their breathing as steady as possible. Some people find it beneficial to use a paper bag to blow into, this helps the person experiencing the panic attack to not expel enough air so that they are not gulping in air. The third thing a person can do is to get the person who is experiencing a panic attack to a safe, quiet place. While helping a person who is experiencing a panic attack to calm down it is important to ask them if they would like to be hugged (touched) or to give the person space, Everyone is different and even the person experiencing the panic attack may need a different approach at different times. If you are asked to not touch the person, remain in close proximity and in view, simply remaining calm and reassuring. The most important act a person can do to help a person while they are experiencing a panic attack is to be supportive, to continue to add words of encouragement and to begin to distract the person once you see the symptoms subsiding. Everyone has different ways that help them get through a panic attack. Some people do not want help and want to be left alone because the added stress of having other people around witnessing your panic attack can increase the length and severity of the panic attack. If you know someone who experiences panic attacks it may be beneficial to ask them what others do that have help them the most so if you are there when a panic attacks occurs you are prepared to help in the best way possible.

They may find it disconcerting, but they are probably not judging you. They may not be able to fully understand what you are going through.

Others would be able to identify the symptoms and help us in ways such as providing support, helps us in doing the deep breathing exercise as well as telling us that what we're feeling is okay and that they understand.

Try to distract you, by changing your focus to other things and reminding you of practicing breathing exercises.

It really helps when the other person with you remains calm whilst you are having a panic attack. My friends often try to get me to focus on slowing my breathing down by taking really deep breaths; during really severe panic attacks I like to hold my friends arm and focus on their pulse to help me try to imitate theirs. Another technique that is really helpful is by distracting the person who's having a panic attack. So you can do this by asking questions that are unrelated to how their feeling such as what they plan to eat for lunch or do later on in the evening. One last thing that my friends do is by getting me to ground myself to my surroundings by focusing on certain aspects. So I'll start describing how certain objects feel, what is around me and if anything in particular stands out

I think that the best thing another person can do is to let the panic attack happen, and not try to force you out of it. They can offer support, if you're someone who isn't afraid or triggered by being touched, maybe put an arm around you, check on you to make sure you're not hyperventilating or suffocating. When everything subsides, just be there for you as emotional support, a shoulder to lean on.

My cousin have a lot of panic attacks. When it happens we need to remind him who he loves, and how bad would that people be if they see him like that

When I'm having a panic attack, it's really important that I get to somewhere quiet and safe. Not having a bunch of people crowding around me really helps!

To be supportive, It may be a good idea to tell friends what helps when having a panic attack so they can help.

They can support me and help calm me down. They can also remember that it helps me to get into fresh air or a cold shower.

I find that being distracted is the best form of help when having a panic attack. So I guess keeping the conversation going and not going silent, maybe offering water and if amongst a group taking me away from everyone for a while.

For me, I find it is best that others just hold me, for example hugging, but everyone is different. You need to find a reaction that works for you, and that might be hugging, or holding your hands, or telling you to breathe etc. Some people react differently to different forms of help, and you need to find out what works for you.

This is a great and educative guide for helping someone who is having a panic attack, with comprehensive Dos and Donts: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/helping-someone-during-a-panic-attack-topic-overview

Personally, I've found that the best things my friends can do for me during is panic attacks is to act normally and not change what they're doing around me, except perhaps turning down any background noise or getting me a glass of water. Your partner, family or close friends might be able to verbally reassure you about whichever issue you're panicking about, hold your hand or touch you, which will help keep your grounded and feel safer.

if they understand what is happening the best thing for them to do , is be extra calm and try to calm you down

Tell them to sit calmly with you and quietly assure you that it will soon pass. If they are unable or unwilling to remain calm, tell them beforehand that they need to leave when it begins to happen. The secret is to educate those who may be around you when the attacks occur so they will understand what you need most during those times.

sometimes it is just nice to have someone there for reassurance. when i have a pain attack i usually call my mom and she tells me to calm down and that i am okay and to drink some water.

Calming you gently, taking you from the area it started, sit with you until you're calm, don't act rude or annoyed, among others.

It is best if others just leave you too your problems. Panic is normal but when it becomes a problem in our lives its because we are worrying too much. Getting people to help you is feeding these thoughts that something is wrong when all you need to do is think positive and calm down.