Mental health articles

Advising a person with panic attacks
Panic attacks are attacks of severe anxiety that result from rapid breathing. Sufferers should be taught the following:
• An attack begins when they start to feel the fearful thoughts or the physical symptoms.
• They should immediately remind themselves that they are breathing too fast and take control of their breathing.
• They should breathe in a slow, steady, controlled manner (in a way similar to the breathing rhythm described). The breathing should be continued in this manner until the symptoms of the attack subside.
• They should reassure themselves that the symptoms are due to breathing too fast and that nothing dangerous will happen.

Tags: panic, panic attacks