What to do if someone is having a panic?

Skip to content

How To Help Someone Having a Panic Attack: 15 Tips

Published: August 2, 2022 Updated: September 15, 2022

Published: 08/02/2022 Updated: 09/15/2022

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) How do I help someone experiencing a panic attack?  (April 27, 2022). Retrieved from https://helplinefaqs.nami.org/article/263-how-do-i-help-someone-experiencing-a-panic-attack

  • Mayo Clinic. Panic attacks and panic disorder. (May 4, 2018). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/symptoms-causes/syc-20376021

  • Mind (February 2021) Retrieved from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/for-friends-and-family/

  • Cigna. Helping Someone During a Panic Attack. (February 9, 2022). Retrieved from https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/hw/helping-someone-during-a-panic-attack-hw53602

  • Sara Smith, BSW. 5-4-3-2-1 Coping Technique for Anxiety. (4/10/2018). University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety.aspx

  • Health Scotland. How to Deal With Panic Attacks. (May 17, 2022) NHS Inform. Retrieved from https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/anxiety-and-panic/how-to-deal-with-panic-attacks

  • Micah Abraham, BSc. Can Anxiety be caused by Dehydration? (October 10, 2020) CalmClinic. Retrieved from https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/causes/water-dehydration

  • Healthwise Staff. Helping Someone During a Panic Attack. MyHealth. Alberta.ca (June 16, 2021). Retrieved from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw53602

  • Curt Cackovic, Saad Nazir, Raman Marwaha. Panic Disorder. (February 7, 2022). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430973/

  • Vanessa E. Ford, LCSW, CADC. Your Guide For Getting Through Anxiety. (January 12, 2017) Anxiety.org. Retrieved from https://www.anxiety.org/do-donts-panic-attacks

  • C Barr Taylor. Panic Disorder. BMJ Journal. 2006 Apr 22; 332(7547): 951-955 doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1444835/

  • C Barr Taylor. Panic Disorder. BMJ Journal. 2006 Apr 22; 332(7547): 951-955 doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1444835/

Recent Articles

What to do if someone is having a panic?

Guilt Complex: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Someone with a guilt complex experiences ongoing fears and beliefs about doing something wrong. They tend to act disproportionally...

';

What to do if someone is having a panic?

How to Make a Vision Board that Works: Therapist-Approved Tips

Vision boards provide a tangible and aesthetic overview of your goals. They can help motivate you to make necessary...

';

What to do if someone is having a panic?

Perfectionism: Signs, Causes, & Ways to Overcome

Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by high standards, rigid expectations, and specific ideas about how to achieve a...

';

What to do if someone is having a panic?

High Functioning Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments

High functioning anxiety is a condition marked by anxious symptoms that do not prevent someone from finding success in...

';

What to do if someone is having a panic?

Bipolar Disorder & Anxiety: Connections, Symptoms, & Treatment Options

It is not uncommon for people with bipolar disorder to experience heightened anxiety. This anxiety can interact, overlap, and...

';

What to do if someone is having a panic?

Morning Anxiety: Why It Happens & How to Cope

Morning anxiety becomes a concern if you wake up anxious most days of the week and if it affects...

';

What to say to someone who is having a panic?

gently let them know that you think they might be having a panic attack and that you are there for them. encourage them to breathe slowly and deeply – it can help to do something structured or repetitive they can focus on, such as counting out loud, or asking them to watch while you gently raise your arm up and down.

What are the 5 things to do when having a panic attack?

Here are some helpful ideas that you came up with..
Know your triggers. ... .
Leave the situation. ... .
Grounding techniques. ... .
Meditation and mindful breathing. ... .
Visualize a safe place. ... .
Counting. ... .
Let it happen/ride it out. ... .
Talk to a friend or family member..

What is the 3 3 3 rule for anxiety?

Follow the 3-3-3 rule. Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm.