Whenever anyone is feeling anxious, it becomes slightly difficult for the surrounding people to help in the right manner. Most people take the word “Anxiety” lightly. Some even make fun of someone suffering from it. Ironically, these days, we see anxiety is one of the topics used in memes. It is also often mistakenly used in place of the word “nervousness”.
Anxiety can happen to anyone. It can happen to any age group. So, we can find those symptoms in a family member, colleague, friends or any stranger around the corner. Sometimes the severity of anxiety is visible, and it needs outside help. A severe anxiety has the chance of leading to a panic attack. People can ignore an anxious person but a panic attack is unavoidable. One may get confused to understand behavior of a person. Most people conclude it as a heart attack or asthma. A panic attack can also be an unpredictable thing. For some, it occurs in sleep. Waking up with a panic attack can be a more tensed situation.
Without having knowledge of anxiety and panic symptoms, one may think of admitting the person immediately. But hey, how can you manage all by yourself, when admitting immediately is not possible?
Simple tips can help to stabilize the situation. Let’s check out the tips that can save the trouble:
Hydrating is necessary
Let the person drink water slowly. Since the heart beats faster, the person will be trying hard to breathe. Drinking a gulp of water can lead to dry coughing. Water can help to normal the pressure levels. Meanwhile, if you can prepare juice or buy it from nearby, let them have half glass of juice. Before giving it to them, ask if they are allergic to it. Do not give any random juice without knowing whether it is suitable to them or not. Keeping body hydrated helps to reduce the fever. Yes, fever it is. Some sufferers can show temporary rise in body temperature due to low immune.
Breathing techniques until comfortable
Rub your hands on the person’s back in a slow massaging manner. This helps in calming down slowly. If the person wants to sleep on your lap, you can let them sleep on your lap and pat on their head slowly so that they can go back to sleep. Hug them smoothly(If allowed) and keep saying, “They are all right. The symptoms will go away. The moment has passed. I am / We are with you. ”
The person with this attack needs emotional strength. The emotional chemical imbalance in the brain can make them develop fear and uneasiness. Once they are self-secured that there are people taking care of them, they will feel better. These tips are possible with a family member or friends but may not always work out with a stranger. Ask the person to breathe slowly. Inhale and exhale slowly with the counts.
Supplements
You can give them a sandwich, salad, or cookies. Don’t give any caffeine products, oily or spicy food. Don’t forget to ask them whether they are allergic to any of those items. Additionally, raisins and fruits can be offered too. In-taking food helps in increasing energy levels and relieving tensed atmosphere.
Ginger
If a person is having a nausea feeling, let them have slight bites of ginger. This helps in stopping nausea feeling and headache.
Keep Talking
Talk about anything but a good topic. You need to engage them in a conversation. Because the mind is trapped in darkness and body feels locked in with those waves of symptoms. This is much needed to divert their mind. If the person does not have enough energy to reply, then don’t insist them to talk. When the person feels annoyed with your words, keep quiet. In case, the conversation does not annoy the person then you can continue talking. Just listening to you, can divert their mind for good.
Turn On Entertainment
Turn on any entertaining videos, series or movies for them as per their likes. Let them sit and watch it while eating or drinking healthy item. Generally, this helps to relax the mood which in turn is helpful in getting rid of symptoms. If they feel irritated to watch, turn it off.
Check on health issues
Some people have other health issues. Panic or anxiety can be a part of it. If the person can talk even a little bit, ask them about their medicines. Many people already take medicines for anxiety and panic triggers. Possibly, they might be taking medicines for other illnesses. It is always better to ask them about medicines and diet to help them with better solutions.
Social Comfort
If you find the person often having social anxiety disorder, accompany them and make them feel comfort always. Take them out often and let them interact with others. Remind them everything is normal and everyone loves them, there is nothing to worry about. Practicing this often can change their thought processing in mind.
Home Alone
When no one is around the person during the attacks, it is the most difficult situation. If the person reaches out to you for help through a text or call. Speak to them properly. Keep talking on call. Tell them, these symptoms are temporary. Make the person believe that he/she is a strong person. Remind them, you are there for them and you will reach to their place as soon as possible. Encourage them to have water, juice or eat something, watch entertainment and rest. Do not cut the call immediately. Talk with them on different topics and engage them in the conversation. Video calls are much helpful in making the person feel better. When it is inconvenient for you to keep up with calls, then try texting. Even texting can help the person to better extent. When it is impossible for you to reach the place or to be on the calls and texts, ask someone else to do it on behalf of you. Contact someone who is common to both of you or closer to the suffering person. Try to provide help in whichever way possible.
Don’t say it.
Never ever say, “Oh, it’s just anxiety!”. “It’s just a panic attack!” “It’s common, everyone gets it.” “Go and fix yourself!” “Stop being cranky and childish.”
Such discourteous words affect the person’s emotions. The negative thoughts and rude behavior by others will only help in worsening the symptoms. You never know what all things a person suffers! Some may be distress with different illness and hence, fighting altogether is not an easy peasy thing. If you can’t help and be rude then don’t say anything. Not saying rude things is also one of the helping tips.
Don’t bore them. Don’t tell them to count numbers, friends, colors or objects. Don’t ask them to focus on your eyes or constantly look at something. They are already panicked which means they have lost concentration. Making them do boring things will be the last thing they would prefer to do.
You can keep track of such moments so that you can help that person in the future. Taking precautions is always beneficial. You can insist them to go for walking on daily basis. You can also go out together on different outdoor activities which will engage the person in a positive aura. Walking, exercises and outdoor activities helps the person having a proper sleep. It also helps in leading healthy lifestyle which in turn produces healthy thoughts. People who can get along well with animals should try to have one with them. Having pets around helps to keep the mental health calmer.
These tips are pretty much helpful in stabilizing the situations. Sooner or later, you can help the person consult the counselors/ psychologists/psychiatrist. A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medicines can reduce the triggers. As many people feel disabled to carry out a normal life because of these attacks, CBT and in certain cases, medicines surely help to live a normal life back again.
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Buy this book : “The Subconscious Game” to learn more about Anxiety and Panic Attack management. The Paper book is available on Amazon.com and you can also get Ebook copy via poetrybookcreation@gmail.com
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Read Related Posts here:
https://healyouremotions.in/2025/04/16/how-to-control-anxiety-at-night-time/
I hope to connect with more readers and more supporters that believe in positive lifestyle.
Have a happy Saturday !
Heal Your Emotions 
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