10 Ways To Help A Loved One Who Suffers From A Panic Disorder

Written By: Sylvia Ruiz, NCC, LPC-A

Persons who suffer from panic attacks need a lot of support and encouragement. Not only is it a scary feeling for them and they may not be able to express their feelings or needs during an episode of panic. You may not know what to do, or say, or how to help your loved one through an attack, but you do your best to help the way you can. Don’t worry, there are many people that do no know how they can help so here are some practical ways you can help:

Ten ways to support your loved one who suffers from Panic Disorder:

1. Work hard at learning all you can about panic disorder and anxiety disorders. The more you know, the better you can help them.

2. Don’t make assumptions about what the panic sufferer needs; simply ask them. Second-guessing only creates more tension.

3. Don’t put pressure on a person experiencing panic or anxiety to get better quickly. Let the panic sufferer set the pace for their recovery.

4. Find something positive in every experience to praise and reinforce. If the affected person is only able to go partly towards a particular goal, such as a public place or party, consider that an achievement rather than a failure.

5. Don’t enable avoidance! Negotiate with the panic sufferer to take a small step forward when they desperately want to avoid something or some place.

6. Don’t sacrifice your own life to please the sufferer. This only builds resentment so make sure that you continue to live your own life fully. Sooner or later, the person struggling with panic and anxiety will begin to improve.

7. During an attack, avoid telling the panic sufferer things like, “Relax. Calm down. Don’t be anxious.” These statements only create more anxiety. Instead, calmly reassure your loved one that the attack will quickly pass and they will soon be in control again.

8. Don’t overreact when your loved one experiences a panic attack. Behave calmly and objectively. Remember, they are not causing the attack nor do they have much control over it at that time.

9. Give yourself some grace to also be anxious as you are only human. It is natural for you to be concerned and worried about your loved one who is suffering from a panic or anxiety disorder.

10. Be patient and accepting, but don’t settle for your loved one being permanently disabled. Encourage treatment with a mental health professional.

It can be very difficult to see your loved one having an episode and not know what to do to make them feel better. You can sometimes feel helpless but keeping in mind some of these ways can make a huge difference. Love and support are always essential in how things are handled and can go a long way during an episode.

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10 maneras de ayudar a un ser querido que sufre de un trastorno de pánico

Las personas que sufren ataques de pánico necesitan mucho apoyo y aliento. No solo es un sentimiento aterrador para ellos y es posible que no puedan expresar sus sentimientos o necesidades durante un episodio de pánico. Es posible que no sepa qué hacer o decir, o cómo ayudar a su ser querido durante un ataque, pero hace todo lo posible para ayudar de la manera que puede. No se preocupe, hay muchas personas que no saben cómo pueden ayudar, así que aquí hay algunas formas prácticas en las que puede ayudar:

10 maneras de apoyar a su ser querido que sufre de Trastorno de Pánico:

1. Trabaja duro para aprender todo lo que puedas sobre el trastorno de pánico y los trastornos de ansiedad. Cuanto más sepa, mejor podrá ayudarlos.

2. No haga suposiciones sobre lo que necesita la víctima del pánico; simplemente pregúntales. Las dudas solo crean más tensión.

3. Don’t put pressure on a person experiencing panic or anxiety to get better quickly. Let the panic sufferer set the pace for their recovery.

4. Encuentre algo positivo en cada experiencia para elogiar y reforzar. Si la persona afectada solo puede ir parcialmente hacia un objetivo en particular, como un lugar público o una fiesta, considéralo un logro en lugar de un fracaso.

5. Don’t enable avoidance! Negotiate with the panic sufferer to take a small step forward when they desperately want to avoid something or some place.

6. Don’t sacrifice your own life to please the sufferer. This only builds resentment so make sure that you continue to live your own life fully. Sooner or later, the person struggling with panic and anxiety will begin to improve.

7. During an attack, avoid telling the panic sufferer things like, “Relax. Calm down. Don’t be anxious.” These statements only create more anxiety. Instead, calmly reassure your loved one that the attack will quickly pass and they will soon be in control again.

8. Don’t overreact when your loved one experiences a panic attack. Behave calmly and objectively. Remember, they are not causing the attack nor do they have much control over it at that time.

9. Give yourself some grace to also be anxious as you are only human. It is natural for you to be concerned and worried about your loved one who is suffering from a panic or anxiety disorder.

10. Be patient and accepting, but don’t settle for your loved one being permanently disabled. Encourage treatment with a mental health professional.

Puede ser muy difícil ver a su ser querido teniendo un episodio y no saber qué hacer para que se sienta mejor. A veces puede sentirse impotente, pero tener en cuenta algunas de estas formas puede marcar una gran diferencia. El amor y el apoyo siempre son esenciales en la forma en que se manejan las cosas y pueden ser muy útiles durante un episodio.