How To Help Someone Having An Anxiety Or Panic Attack

Get Them To Safety

As panic and anxiety attacks can happen quite suddenly and in any situation, it is possible for them to occur when affected individuals may not be safe. For example, panic attacks that happen at the top of stairs or at high heights can be an injury risk for the affected individual. Panic attacks in the middle of a crowd for someone whose trigger is the crowd, such as for social anxiety, are also unhelpful.

Thus, you can help an individual experiencing a panic attack by getting them to safety. At the top of some stairs, this can involve getting them away from the stairs so that they are not at risk of falling. If they are in a crowd, get them to safety by leading them to a quiet room or otherwise away from large groups of people. It is important, of course, to let the individual know what you are doing in a calm voice.

What Not To Say

Just as there are many things you can do and say to help someone calm down from a panic or anxiety attack, there are also things you should never say. One important thing to keep in mind is you should not say anything invalidating. The individual having the attack is already aware that they are not reacting rationally, and there is a good chance they are berating themselves for not having a rational response.

Telling them their fear is irrational will not help, because it does not stop the fear. You also should not tell them things are not that bad. They already know that, and being reminded can increase feelings of guilt and shame. Please do not be harsh or demanding, do not tell them to pull themselves together, and do not touch them without their consent. It would be best if you did not laugh at or belittle them either. Even if the panic attack seems incomprehensible to you, it feels very real to them, and you should be respectful of that.