The best way to be able to communicate with a person who is having a panic attack is to stay calm and not panic yourself.
While some people will tell you “I am having a panic attack”, it is common for people to not tell you. It is also common for people to not realise that they are experiencing a panic attack (they often think they are having some kind of physical health issue).
- A person with lived experience of a mental health condition
The signs of a panic attack that you might see include sweating, shaking or trembling. The person may have difficulty breathing, chest pain, feel that their heart is racing, feel faint or be unsteady on their feet.
If you are calm, then you can support someone by:
Remember when someone is having a panic attack, anything you say needs to be said clearly, slowly and using short sentences.
Note: Some of the signs of a panic attack are the same as a heart attack. If the person does not think that they are having a panic attack or the symptoms continue to get worse, then you should call 000.
Panic attacks first aid guidelinesThese guidelines explain the symptoms of a panic attack and outline how you can assist someone who is having a panic attack.Type: GuidelineReading time: 5 pagesProduced by: Mental Health First Aid Australia
Tools kit – Panic AttacksThis fact sheet explains how to help people experiencing panic attacks. It is written for the person having the panic attack, but covers the steps to support a person through it.Type: Fact sheetReading time: 4 pagesProduced by: Lifeline