How to Help a Panic Attack

Now unless you are a medical doctor, it can be difficult to separate the symptoms of panic attacks from the symptoms of other more serious medical conditions. For instance, some of the panic attack symptoms are similar to those from a heart attack. So it is very important that you understand this. Don't disregard the signs... it could very well be a heart attack.

So obviously, the first thing you should do is seek medical care from the emergency personnel. You need to be certain that everything else has been ruled out before arriving at the conclusion that it is just a panic attack. Which in a funny way, is probably very good news. Because panic attacks is not dangerous. It is just something that manifests in the mind that CAN be trained to stop all panic attacks and anxiety attacks... and many times you can do this quickly with excellent results.

So having a panic attack is far better than having a heart attack. The problem however, is that just because someone has panic attacks doesn't mean they can fix it quickly. It is still something they have to do for themselves. And it usually won't go away until they do. Many panic attack sufferers can have this condition for many years. Sometimes it does go away on its own... but why wait? They can read and perform a very simple psychological exercise that has been very effective for 1000s of people.

So back to medical help... be sure the panic attack victim seeks medical help to rule out any serious medical conditions. Especially if this is the first time it has happened.

Many times, there is a precursor to panic attacks. Something may cause the panic attack symptoms to appear. Actually, panic attacks is the fear of getting a panic attack. And the root result of panic attacks is an accumulation of anxieties and anxiety attacks. So find the source of the anxieties... I hope this made sense to you?

There are several options once you are certain that it is a panic attack and you have discovered the source of the anxieties. The panic attack victim should discuss with their doctor the options they have. Such as medication or therapy. There is also a great panic attack program called, Panic Away which you can download right away to find out how to stop the attacks from happening again. It is a very successful program and there are lots of testimonials from former sufferers at the site.

Here is another thing to be aware of when someone is having a panic attack. Don't OVERREACT!! Don't scare the other person half to death because you don't understand what is happening. That person needs a calming influence and YOU, my friend, is it. It is time to take control of the situation and make prudent and correct decisions to help that person recover from the symptoms of panic attacks.

Again, don't make things worse by running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Seriously, I can't begin to tell you how worse off I felt when someone close to me completely over-reacted to my anxiety attacks and made me feel more embarrassed and frustrated.

So don't be like that wishy-washy person. Be a true friend or family member and be steady as a rock.

Try to see if you can help the sufferer slow down his/her breathing. Many times, during the panic attack... the person can hyperventilate or actually hold their breath. It just makes the symptoms much worse. And besides... breathing correctly is critical to our normal bodily functions.

So slow down their breathing or get them to take some deep breaths. Try to make them take a deep breath for a slow count of three. And then breath out for another three counts. Keep that up until the panic attack symptoms subside and the person seems to be getting out of the panic attack mode.

And of course, keep talking to the person calmly and stay with that person to give him/her some strength until their ordeal is over. Don't just leave that person alone... they need you to be there for them. Especially, if this is someone close to you. Just stay for a while... there is no rush to leave.

So let's sum this up. Panic Attacks are real and not so real. It is all based on the perceived dangers the body feels even though the person is not in danger at all. But the body sure thinks so because there are symptoms as I described at the beginning of this article. Be a true friend and be the rock. Talk calmly and get the person to either slow down their breathing or take some deep breathes. And stay with that person until the panic attack is over. Make sure the person knows that they should seek medical advice to be certain that they were not suffering from a more serious medical condition. And if those were ruled out and it is in fact a panic attack they were experiencing... have them find out what options they have to either keep the panic attacks under control or eliminate it altogether.

I hope this article helps you.

Kate