If you get a panic attack and first aid is offered, and you're experienced and have had many attacks, you will realize that you don't really need first aid treatment.
Your initial panic attack can be incredibly scary and confusing. You don't know if it's your heart, your brain, your ears, your lungs or whatever the case may be.
Once you've been diagnosed and you know it's not serious, the confusion may subside, but it's still very scary. However, you won't require first aid of any kind, providing it's just a panic attack and nothing else.
Make Sure You Have No Other Condition
It's very important to make sure there is no serious underlying condition. Though panic attacks are frightening, they are not life-threatening. However, they can feel like a heart attack, or other serious conditions.
There may be difficulty in breathing. A person who has asthma and panic attacks are in a dilemma. Is it this, or is it that? There seems to be a link between asthma and panic attacks.
Under these circumstances, YES, you will require first aid of some kind. Asthma and heart attacks are life-threatening situations. The problem with panic attacks is, they mimic serious conditions.
If you are healthy and have no other serious medical issues, then a panic attack will require reassurance from a stranger, or relaxation on your part (though it's not easy, and it has to be learned).
Help For Panic Attacks
If you get a panic attack and are still terrified, then concentrate on your breath. Slow everything down. Breathe through your nose. Imagine the air going into your tummy. Exhale slowly through your mouth.
If you can, tense your muscles and then let go gently. This can relax your body. The most important thing is your breathing though. If you must do one thing, then do just this.
If a stranger tries to help, tell them what it is. Let them know that they need not call anyone. Don't feel shy. Ask them to wait a few seconds with you and ask them to help calm you down.
Tell them to help you relax. Listening to them 'as if they were a coach' can help you through the attack. There's nothing wrong in asking, and most people will oblige.
A panic attack and first aid can appear to be a natural combination. With experience, and knowing it's a panic attack and nothing else, you won't really require first aid treatment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How come i have been having a panic attack on and ...
By: nene | 03-11-2008
how come i have been having a panic attack on and off for 3 days? I have had them on and off before but never this bad!! I ACTUALLY FELT LIKE I COULD NT GET ANY AIR DOWN AND had no xanax....i could still talk and drink water but i couldnt get that feeling to go away. I woke up the next morning still feeling that same way and some today. Is it possible that because i now started another job did 3 doubles drank on friday night and had hardly any sleep? I NEED SOME ANSWERS I AM SOOOOOOOOO TIRED OF THIS!
Weird undescribable feeling in chest and left arm ...
By: melissajc04 | 25-10-2008
Weird undescribable feeling in chest and left arm. Not stressed, or anxious. How long do panic/anxiety attacks last? this has been on and off for 3 days now! Should I be going to ER immediately? Feeling in chest kind of feels like a tight feeling, feeling in left arm feels like some1 is resting their hand on my upper arm (between elbow and shoulder). Always checking my pulse for some reason. It is a major fear of mine to have a heart attack!!!! Should I be going to ER immediately for heart attack or is this just a panic/anxiety attack? PLEASE HELP!!!
Can an anxiety attack cause me to passout?
By: SUE1 | 25-10-2008
Can an anxiety attack cause me to passout? I get to feeling very trembly inside & light headed.I start to feel very weak& my breathing starts to get fast & shallow. The next thing i know is im coming to on the floor. Ive had my blood sugar tested & it isnt that.
Over sleep inducing panic?
By: Jorydz2 | 12-10-2008
when i sleep too much i get panic attacks, it seems like when i sleep too much i get panic attacks. for instance, i have a slight hang over and have been sleeping it off today, i awake and now im having panic. i've taken my medicine, but this is a trend i noticed when i was deeply plagued w/ panic and anxiety. the more i sleep the worse they are? anyone else?
I need a phycolgist
By: Normssky | 08-10-2008
I need a phycolgist
Overcoming Arachnophobia
By: CapitanaSparrow | 03-08-2008
I am trying to overcome arachnophobia. I have never really cared for spiders, but I have been able to deal with them throughout my youth and young adulthood. However, over the past two years I have noticed that a general disliking has progressed into an irrational fear with physical symptoms whenever I see a picture or actual spider. I begin to sweat, become shaky and itchy. My mind starts to panic and I HAVE to get the spider dead and away from me. Hours later, I will still be uncomfortable in the room where I saw one. This usually occurs if I see a spider in my apartment..where I have had to deal with what I believe to be brown recluse spiders on occasion, I have tried to think rationally, have read a conservation magazine about local spiders with large photos to "educate" myself. I am really needing advice on this other than "read about them and you'll realize they are more scared of you than you are of them." I am scared to do too much research online, because some of the websites with info on how to overcome it have photos of spiders on them- which does not help my frame of mind since I have the aforementioned reaction even to photos. I plan to do mission work in the future, and I know I will need to deal with spiders as part of life. PLEASE someone give me some sort of way to overcome this!
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