3 Ways to Help Someone Who Experiences Anxiety Attacks
Jan 14, 2021
Understanding how to help someone who suffers
from anxiety attacks
can be difficult if you've never personally experienced one. Anxiety
attacks are not only scary for the person experiencing them, but also
for the people around them who aren't
sure how to help. Often times, well-meaning friends or family members
will do what they think is best to help a person experiencing an anxiety
attack, but their efforts are unsuccessful.
So, here are three ways you can help a friend or family member who experiences anxiety attacks:
1. Learn Their Triggers
Anxiety attacks are not always caused by a specific trigger, but they can be. Learning what a person's triggers are can help you to avoid situations in which your loved one might become extremely anxious and experience an anxiety attack. And, in the event that the person's trigger cannot be avoided, you can be better prepared to help the person through the situation in the least stressful way possible. This helps to create a less anxiety-inducing environment for the person, and it allows them to feel much calmer and at ease.
2. Remain Calm
Watching someone you love experience an anxiety attack can be stressful, and can cause you to feel frustrated or panicked. However, the best thing you can do is remain calm. It is important to remember that anxiety attacks are temporary and the symptoms will subside once the person begins to calm down. Becoming frustrated with the person or showing signs that you are panicked will only make the person more anxious. Remaining calm and level-headed shows your loved one that there is nothing to worry about, this is not their fault, and everything will be okay.
3. Learn Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are a quick and simple way to lower someone's heart rate. When someone is experiencing high levels of anxiety, their breathing often becomes quick and labored. Learning some simple breathing exercises (such as the in for 4, hold for 7, out for 8 technique) can be very useful in helping someone to regulate their breathing. If someone is experiencing an anxiety attack and their breathing is irregular, try a breathing exercise and have them mimic your breathing. This should help them to calm down.
If you, or someone you know, are suffering from anxiety attacks, feel free to contact us for help or more information.