

7 phrases that should not be said to a person with a panic attack

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A panic attack is a terrible feeling. It seems to a person that the end of the world will come now, the walls are moving up, there is not enough air, and death is near. The heart begins to beat more often, and it is impossible to breathe even in the open air. In such a state, it is very difficult to think rationally.
But what to do if the person next to you is in a state of panic attacks or experiences them regularly? What can I say so as not to offend?
Here are 7 phrases that should not be said to a person with panic attacks.
1. "Stop it!"
No one falls into a panic attack because he had a boring day and wants to have fun. The body literally thinks that it is in mortal danger. This is unpleasant, very scary, and the person himself would be glad to stop these sensations. But according to your wish, it will not happen, and that is why you will say "Well, stop it, run away!" there will be no help.
2. "What, can't you just calm down?"
No, it can not.
A panic attack comes suddenly, may last several minutes or longer. A person who often encounters this condition can develop some self-support mechanisms and hide this condition, make it less obvious. But all the same, no one can just take it and calm down.

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3. "Be strong!"
Leave all these appeals for your motivational coach. All of them point only to the fact that a person is weak, behaves unworthy and worthless, cannot cope with his emotions. Such phrases humiliate a person simply because he is overwhelmed and do not help to overcome a panic attack.
Do you know who they help? You. In this way, you splash out your dissatisfaction and anger on a person, because he suddenly became uncomfortable for you.
4. "Don't worry", "Don't think about it"
Ok. Immediately the man took it and stopped worrying. Wow, you are a miracle worker.
No, that doesn't work either, and such phrases can only aggravate a panic attack. When you force yourself not to think about something, you only start thinking about it. During a panic attack, it is impossible not to think about this state.

Source: Unsplash
5. "Are you okay?"
No, in general, the person is not in order. A panic attack causes so much stress that a person cannot control his reaction to anything. In addition, even from the point of view of the observer, it is possible to notice that the person is not in order. And even if this is not so, it does not mean that the person is in a normal state.
6. "Don't pretend"
It's the most disgusting thing to say to a person during a panic attack. This devalues human suffering and this condition in general.
7. "Drink tea with chamomile and you will be fine"
No, that's not how it works. If conditional tea with chamomile, prayers or affirmations helped, no one would suffer from panic attacks. Try not to give a person empty advice. If possible, connect the person with a good specialist - a psychologist, psychotherapist.

The opinion of the editors may not coincide with the opinion of the author of the article.
Use of photo: P.4, Article 21 of the ZU "On copyright and related rights - "Reproduction for the purpose of covering current events by means of photography or cinematography, public communication or communication of works seen or heard during such events, to the extent justified by the informational purpose."
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