How to Handle a Patient with Anxiety Attack
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Anxiety is a devastating disorder that can disrupt one’s daily functioning, and can dramatically impact one's life. With just the sound of it, panic attacks seem to be exhausting and overwhelming. Certainly, if you are someone who has this condition, you will be grateful if people would have known how to help you out during the attack. But as a healthcare professional, how will you manage your patient who suddenly encountered an episode?
What is an anxiety attack?
An anxiety attack is a quick and acute experience of worry and anxiety. These anxiety episodes might occasionally come abruptly for no apparent cause, but they can also be connected to certain factors (Ankrom, 2020).?
What are its symptoms?
Recognizing the symptoms of an anxiety attack may be valuable in helping someone deal with the situation. Nevertheless, it varies from person to person, and its intensity differs as well. Here are some of the symptoms:
Responding to Anxiety Attacks
According to Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind, "It's understandable to feel daunted if you are with someone when they experience a panic attack - particularly if it seems to happen suddenly.” Nevertheless, always keep in mind that you have to condition yourself to remain calm and gentle, and let the person know that you’re there for them and you will stay until they feel better. Below are more ways how to handle patients with anxiety attacks:
The anxiety attack may not make sense to you or to them. Generally, they can happen spontaneously, during stressful situations, during calm moments, or even in seep.?
You may be that person even if you do not comprehend why they get panic episodes. This is far less crucial than your capacity to demonstrate empathy and grasp the significance of their sorrow.
Someone having a panic attack may not have a perception of time, and may not be able to feel that it doesn’t last long. As someone who’s outside the experience, you have to stay calm and try to reassure the patient that they’re safe, you won’t leave them, and that the attack will pass.?
Keeping your cool is one of the most helpful ways to incorporate you not to escalate the situation and radiate calmness.?
Even though people who go through panic attacks find it to communicate during the situation, asking in advance how you might aid them will definitely help. Don’t hesitate to inquire politely about what you can do to assist them. Just prepare yourself for the likelihood of a brief or abrupt reaction.
A calming, familiar voice helps some individuals, but try to avoid continuously saying things like “don’t worry” or asking them if they’re alright again and over. This is because our words will not benefit the moment greatly, especially if the environment needs changing.?
It is better to engage in light conversations unless they don’t prefer to. Remind them to keep breathing and suggest if they want to leave the room or go somewhere else.?
These approaches assist the individual concentrate on what is actually occurring, rather than their dread of the attack. They are often most useful once the severity of the attack has diminished somewhat.
Grounding techniques include encouraging them to move or stretch, finding calm in familiar places, physical touch, and encouragement.?
Things to Avoid
Takeaway
Anxiety episodes can be terrifying, but it is vital to keep in mind that they are frequently typical responses to trying circumstances. Consult your physician if your anxiety symptoms are regular or making it difficult for you to operate properly.?