Being with someone who is having a panic attack can be frightening.If you don't suffer from anxiety yourself, you can help someone deal with their anxiety.You can learn how to help someone with anxiety.
Step 1: A quiet, stress-free place is where your friend should be.
If your friend is feeling anxious, you may want to move them to a quiet place.Reducing the stress of the situation is what you want to do.The goal is to keep the situation under control.Help your friend find a quiet corner or part of the room if you are in a crowded place.It's a good idea to discreetly do this so that you don't draw attention to your friend.
Step 2: Listen to what I have to say.
It's important to listen to your friend during an anxiety attack.Having someone listen to your feelings can help you deal with anxiety.It helps eliminate increased anxiety because a person might feel like they are being stupid or the feelings are wrong.Your friend may need you to listen to their feelings during a panic attack.Listen to your friend and be willing to listen.You can tell your friend, "I am here for you."I am here to listen to you.I am here to listen if you need to talk about your feelings.I will support and encourage you.
Step 3: Stay with your friend.
Being with your friend can provide a lot of comfort even if you don't know what to do.You won't be able to help your friend.If the anxiety runs its course, it will work itself out.Being there makes your friend feel less alone.If your friend says no, stay with him or her and be there for him.
Step 4: Ask if your friend takes medicine for anxiety.
If your friend is having an anxiety attack, you should ask if he is taking medicine to treat it.They take the medicine.If your friend hasn't yet taken the medicine, please remind them.Think about how you say the question or reminder.If you know your friend takes anxiety medicine, ask, "Would you like me to get your anxiety medication?" or "Do you have your medication with you?"
Step 5: You can practice breathing exercises with a friend.
Breathing exercises are great for anxiety and panic.Shortness of breath can be caused by anxiety or panic.Your friend can gain control of their breath, focus on something, and calm down if you do breathing exercises with them.Get your friend to exhale through the mouth.You can count the breaths.Hold for a count of four, then exhale for four.You should repeat five to 10 times.
Step 6: There are some signs that an anxiety attack is over.
The person may feel the effects of the anxiety attack for a few days.You can't stay with the person through the entire attack or the duration of the anxiety.You should help the person get to a calmer mental state so they can go about their day.Stay with the person and keep an eye on their breathing.If you say something like, "Take a deep breath in through your nose while I count to four," you can explain how to do a simple breathing exercise.Hold the breath for a few seconds and exhale slowly.Continue breathing exercises with this person until they stop hyperventilating.Stay with your friend until the anti-anxiety medication works.You should keep talking to your friend.Even if your friend isn't happy or well, you can stick around until you feel better.Listen for a normal speech speed or look for less shaking.
Step 7: Don't tell your friend to calm down.
"Calm down" is one of the worst things you can do for a friend who is suffering from anxiety.If you tell your friend to calm down, it can be seen as dismissing their feelings, implying that they are irrational, or saying that the feelings aren't valid.
Step 8: Instead of concern, offer sympathy.
Sharing your concern, being freaked out, or panicking can increase your friend's anxiety.If you can, be there for your friend and tell them you're sorry.Your friend can stay calm with this.Asking, "Are you alright?"Are you okay?Can you breathe? can cause more anxiety since you are not calm.Tell your friend that you are sorry.This must be very difficult.This is not a good way to feel.
Step 9: Don't be discouraged and stay positive.
Try to be positive when your friend goes through an anxiety attack.Help your friend remember that they are safe.You can say to your friend, "You can do this."It is only your anxiety.You are safe even though the feelings are frightening.I'm here.I am proud of you because you can get through this.
Step 10: Help your friend understand that it is not their fault.
A lot of anxiety is caused by the feeling that something is wrong or broken inside the person.Tell your friend that this is not their fault.It is okay, it helps calm your friend.It doesn't mean that you enable your friend's anxiety by being supportive.Don't allow your friend's fear to get in the way of their anxiety.You should not give up doing things because of your friend's anxiety.You don't have to pressure your friend, but you should not change your life around anxiety all the time.You and your friend can take steps to help reduce the stress of the event if you decide to go by yourself.It means you stop doing things because of your friend, and do things for them when they don't.Don't try to take the responsibility away from your friend.Help your friend accept the consequences of their anxiety.
Step 11: Do not equate your friend's anxiety to yours.
Finding common ground can help a friend.Unless you also suffer from an anxiety disorder, you do not feel the same kind of anxiety or panic that your friend does.It's a good idea to say these things to your friend.
Step 12: The person can talk to you.
Let someone with anxiety know that they can come to you.It is possible to give your friend some peace of mind by reassuring them that you will not judge them no matter what they say.It will calm them.No matter what their anxiety is, tell your friend that you won't like them any less.Even if your friend tells you that they fear something, you will still be there for them and feel the same way.Let your friend know that they can call you whenever they need you.This can calm your friend.Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Step 13: Spend time with someone you care about.
Spending time with your friend can calm them down.Don't avoid your friend, ignore calls, or cancel plans without a good reason.If you are avoiding your friend, they may think it's their fault that you aren't spending time with them.A lot of your friend's help can come from being around other people.Quality time with other people helps someone with anxiety.This can calm your friend down.
Step 14: Be patient.
If your friend has anxiety, you should be patient.Your friend's anxiety will increase if you get frustrated.Staying patient during an anxiety attack or when your friend expresses fears can help calm anxiety.Remember that your friend suffers from a chemical imbalance and may rationally understand that their fears are unwarranted.They are unable to control the anxiety, so getting frustrated because your friend can't "get a grip" or think logically about something may make it worse.If your friend says something out of frustration, please forgive them.Your friend may say something they don't mean because anxiety can cause a neurological change and sudden intense feelings.Let your friend know that you understand.
Step 15: Control substances and alcohol should be avoided.
If you want to calm your friend with anxiety, you shouldn't give them alcohol, recreational drugs, or other controlled substances.Alcohol and recreational drugs can make a person anxious.The substances can make the anxiety worse, which is the opposite of calming it.Alcohol can affect certain drugs negatively.Encouraging your friend to use controlled substances may lead to addiction.
Step 16: Suggest your friend seek help.
If your friend suffers from an anxiety disorder but hasn't sought help, you should encourage them to.When your friend is in a calm state, make sure to broach the subject of getting help.Suggesting they get help may cause more stress and a negative reaction.Do you want to discuss this with your friend?Your friend may not listen to what you have to say if you are not very close.Talk to your friend's friends or family members if this is the case.Before you meet your friend, do research.When you approach the person, have some suggestions of treatment options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.If you don't know how to help your friend with anxiety, there are helplines and organizations that can give you information.