If your partner or friend suffers from anxiety or panic attack, then you are probably affected too. It might be very painful for you to see your partner suffering.
You have probably already tried many things to help him or her.
…and maybe you are unsure what would be good or bad for him.
Find out how your partner or friend can overcome it.
The aim is to help a person to get back into a mental and physical balance. To achieve this goal, our thoughts and our physical reactions have to change.
Make it clear to your partner that you definitely want him to overcome his fear.
The following reactions can be helpful:
Calming
“You are having a panic attack. Remember that it has always passed so far. I am with you and will wait with you until it has passed.”
Putting attention to the breath
“Breathe with me in the rhythm (deep inhale slowly while counting from 1 to 4 in mind, hold your breath for 4 and exhale in the same tempo). Repeat this until calming comes.”
For muscles to relax
“Go through your body from head to toe and relax your muscles consciously.”
Ask what you can do
“How can I help you?”
Distract them
For example by offering a strong sensory stimulus, such as smelling a perfume bottle or putting something cold in your hand.
Invite the person to move
For example, walking around quickly together.
Putting your hand on a person’s hand or shoulder
This is a signal that you are there.
Interrupting panicky thoughts
By telling something that captures attention, setting a thinking or arithmetic task or telling something humorous.
Having the reactions described
“Describe to me what is going on in your body. Tell me about your thoughts.”
Though you should always remember that you are not a therapist but a person who wants to help. And in the end, a person has to work on his own issues to soften the anxiety symptoms. Advise your partner to seek therapy if he/she cannot escape from his/her prison of fear on his/her own.
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