Tips for Alleviating Anxiety Attacks in Loved Ones Kelsey Darragh, actress, comedian and YouTuber who got popular as a performer for BuzzFeed, probably takes pride in being “confidently insecure” – the words put up prominently as her cover picture on her Twitter handle. She suffers from panic and anxiety attacks and is candid about it. In a recent tweet that has gone viral, she has laid forth a list of what her boyfriend, who wants to help her the best he can, can do when she has an anxiety attack. “I have panic & anxiety disorder. My boyfriend does not... but wants to understand it so he can help me. SO I made him this list! Feel free to share w ur loved ones that need guidance!,” says her tweet. Most of her suggestions are practical and effective. They resort to simple means and devices to calm a person down. Things as simple as giving a hug or finding the anxiety medications. Anxiety disorder is one of the commonest mental health conditions afflicting a lot of Americans. It is much severer than the bouts of anxiety that is rather a common feeling. Anxiety disorders may continue for months or even years and the person suffering from it finds it difficult to handle day-to-day activities without external help, such as medications. As anxiety attack could throw a person off gear, people close to him/her could feel fearful. Or they could also feel that the other is pretending and may get annoyed. However, an anxiety attack or a panic attack is as real as any chronic condition. But the condition is quite treatable. Compiled below is a list of what to do (with some suggestion from Ms. Darragh’s twitter feed) when a loved one – a girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/wife or someone else in the family – has an anxiety attack. Do not panic, do not try to control, adopt the middle path: It is extremely important to stay calm when someone is experiencing an anxiety attack. As one can sabotage
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relief and unleash the worst in the person when he/she tries to dominate or control, it is better to adopt the middle path and be gentle and yet persuasive. Show empathy, the other person is scared: Instead of getting annoyed when the individual throws a fit in the middle of a road, or spills everything from their bag, or is flustered, it is necessary to show empathy. Remember, the other person is scared as things are going beyond his/her control. Get the affected medications: Even if he/she is too freaked out, or in no condition to take charge, placate him/her to take their anxiety medications. It would ease his/her paranoia and delusions. Reassure him/her that everything will be alright again. Dealing with dissociation: Dissociation can be scary, both for the person who is undergoing it and the beholder. During this phase the individual feels that he/she is detached from the body. Some people also go through a state of depersonalization, and feel oblivious to their surroundings or have a heightened sense of lights and sounds. But this too is momentary. Instead of shaking a person from the reverie, it is essential to wait and watch. As he/she is in a personalized zone, it is necessary to avoid intruding into his/her privacy by giving them hugs. Find means of distraction: Distract him/her gently, not aggressively. Even if he/she is slow to respond, try to distract him/her. In case he/she wishes to be left alone, let it be. The person might be taking his/her sweet time to calm self. Try to get him/her to breathe: Breathing is the key. A person in the midst of an anxiety attack could feel choked or suffocated. Though he/she might find it difficult, get him/her to breathe. Pat his/her back, hold hands and console gently. Slow breathing has a sedating/calming effect. Hug him/her: Even a public display of affection is okay if it reassures the person that he/she is not alone and that there is someone who will take care, irrespective of fact that he/she made a scene a few moments ago. It is essential to convey the message that he/she will be loved, the condition notwithstanding. Let him/her take a nap: Lastly, once the attack is over, it is necessary to give the individual time to recuperate. A nap works the best rather than badgering about the experience. It is also essential to have the important phone numbers of parents, siblings, close friends and colleagues, who have a close association with the person within easy reach, so that they can be reached at the earliest.
Help is at hand Though one of the most common mental health conditions, anxiety disorders are the most misunderstood as well, resulting in many people remaining undiagnosed, or labelled willful or freaks. If you or someone you know is dealing with anxiety disorder and looking for anxiety treatment in Florida, contact the Florida Helpline for Anxiety. Call at our 24/7 helpline 855920-9834 to connect one of the best anxiety treatment centers in Florida.
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