Knowing the symptoms is the main premise to be able to act correctly when it is oneself who suffers an anxiety attack or, on the contrary, one witnesses when another person suffers it. In the latter case, the best thing to do is to remain calm and try to reassure him and help him to follow the steps he should take if he knew how to recognize the symptoms that triggered the panic attack: general malaise, nausea, dizziness, sweating , anguish, palpitations, feeling of unreality, pressure in the chest, tachycardia and shortness of breath.
In this situation, an appropriate reaction involves controlling breathing. It is important to be aware that what feels like extreme shortness of breath is not real, but simply a sensation. And the way to counteract it is to start breathing slowly and deeply and evenly, taking the air through the nose (lung breathing) and expelling it through the mouth (abdominal breathing) or vice versa. In this way, the increase in oxygen will help the cells of the different tissues of the body to eliminate the toxins that accumulate in the moments before the anxiety crisis. It is best to do these breathing exercises sitting or lying down.
This will help the person suffering from the panic attack to begin to calm down and initiate a dynamic of general relaxation, for which you can request the help of someone who is nearby, explaining what is happening and asking them to stay by your side and then that you accompany him as he begins to walk slowly, maintaining the breathing exercises. Meanwhile, you have to tell yourself that it is just an anxiety attack, that there is no danger and that it will pass in just five minutes.
Once a minimum state of tranquility has been achieved, you have to begin to observe and recognize the environment so that there is nothing that poses a threat or a risk. At no time should breathing exercises be abandoned, since it is the basis for reducing heart rate and palpitations and with them the rest of the initial symptoms until normality is reached. When you get back to a calm state, it is necessary to rest for a few moments and avoid going back to activity.
After the anxiety crisis is over, you should go to the doctor so that he can prescribe the treatment he deems necessary. There is no need to self-medicate and it may be necessary to undergo therapy in order to change those aspects of the way you approach problems, cope with work or control the emotions that have triggered the panic attack.
