How To Help Someone Having An Anxiety Or Panic Attack

What Not To Say

Just as there are a lot of things you can do and say to help someone calm down from a panic or anxiety attack, there are also things you shouldn't say. One important thing to keep in mind is you shouldn't say anything invalidating. The individual having the attack is already aware they're not reacting rationally, and there's a good chance they're berating themselves for not having a rational response. Telling them their fear is irrational won't help, because it doesn't stop the fear from happening. You also shouldn't tell them things aren't that bad; they already know that, and being reminded can increase feelings of guilt and shame. Don't be harsh or demanding, don't tell them to pull themselves together, and don't touch them without their consent. You also shouldn't laugh at or belittle them. Even if the panic attack seems incomprehensible to you, it feels very real to them, and you should be respectful of that.