How to support someone having a panic attack

Watching someone panic can be frightening. The urge is to argue with the fear or rush them out of it. Panic responds better to steady presence and simple regulation.

A panic attack often includes racing heart, breathlessness, trembling, chest tightness, dizziness and fear of dying or losing control. It usually peaks and passes, but the person cannot access that knowledge easily mid-wave.

Speak slowly. Say: 'This is frightening, but it will pass. I am here.' Invite longer exhales. Ask them to place feet on the floor and name objects in the room. Reduce crowding and noise. Do not shame, mock, slap, force water, or tell them to calm down.

If symptoms are new, severe, medically uncertain, involve fainting, chest pain with cardiac risk, injury, intoxication or self-harm risk, seek medical care. After recurrent panic, encourage treatment; repeated reassurance alone will not solve the loop.