helping someone with panic attacks

[fizzgig]

i've dealth with panic attacks since i was 16 or so and i know what works for me. i have a couple of friends who deal with then also but i have a hard time helping them when they call me in the middle of one.

i try to walk them through the breathing that my therapist taught me and try to get them to some visualization with me but it's a bit difficult for me and i feel like i'm not helping much.

anyone have any other suggestions as to how i can help them?

[Larissa238]

1. Calling someone helped me

I would have trouble going outside sometimes, and having someone there (phone, a person would help too) to support me helped. Not wanting to look weak in front of someone helped (that was *my* thought, people with anxiety are NOT AT ALL weak for having anxiety and having to get out of the situation... sometimes it IS the best choice).

If it's your friend calling you, just let them talk, and reassure them when you can. It depends on the person. Some people want someone to just talk to them while they have the attack, and some people want to talk out their emotions when they have an attack. Try asking the person when they are not in an attack what they think will help. Ask them when they are not anxious about what they think (like, if they freak out that something bad is going to happen to them when they go outside, ask them what they think will happen. If they say "I will get run over", address that. If they say "Well, I know nothing bad is going to happen to me right now", when they are anxious, reassure them that part of them knows that they will be okay). Try and take cues from them as to what they need to hear to make them feel better.

[fizzgig]

2. thanks for the input

i really appreciate it

[Tripper11]

3. I just tried to help myself / cross? post

My original post and then what I did today ---> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=276x6716

I helped a little...gave me a small break, but helped me to also think a little as well.