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HOW TO REACT IF SOMEONE HAS A PANIC ATTACK
The first time it happens in your presence, the temptation is to react as in the worst movies and physically restrain or slap the person affected. The theory is that a short sharp shock will bring the person back to his or her senses. Except this may have the opposite effect. If you are seen to react aggressively, you also become a part of the fear. Once the panic has subsided, the person will be feeling ashamed and confused. It does not help to be unsympathetic. Commenting that he or she should simply "snap out of it", "get a grip" or some other useful advice assuming all future losses of control can be avoided with a little self-control is patronising and likely to make the disorder worse.You have to recognize that once there have been repeated panic attacks for no obvious reason, this is a serious disorder and requires both medical intervention and positive support from you, family members and friends. Without outside help, work will be disrupted and the family’s income may be lost. Family relationships will suffer if agoraphobia sets in. Worse, those affected often turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to "keep going". In fact, this makes the problems worse.
WHAT SHOULD YOU CHANGE?
The one word you should have uppermost in your mind all the time is "patience". You will become part of the problem if you do not change your own responses to react positively to the onset of panic symptoms. First, you should be reassured that treatment really works in most cases. You should encourage your relative or friend to see a doctor. During this time, you should be flexible. It is important to strike a balance. When your relative or friend makes progress, you should recognize it and give praise. When there is a lapse, you have to offer comfort and encouragement for the future. Do not allow your relative or friend to grow comfortable in hiding away and not putting cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to work.If there is to be a steady recovery, life must be normalized as quickly as possible. This means rejoining society by going out in public, going back to work, and so on. But no-one recovers at the same pace. If you push too hard, this will be counterproductive. It is a hard balance to strike but you must find a gentle way of encouraging progress and a positive way of reinforcing the relearning of social skills.
To become completely effective, you should discuss strategies with the cognitive behavioral therapist. By co-ordinating lessons from therapy with the responses at home, you produce the best environment in which health is restored. In all this, remember the point of the therapy is to reach a level of confidence such that the Xanax or Alprazolam can be withdrawn. You do not want your relative or friend to become dependent on a drug. You want him or her to relearn the habits of a health lifestyle without drugs.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TREATMENTS?
The best approach is to combine drug therapy with counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The use of a drug such as Xanax produces a period of calm when worries recede and panic episodes stop. If appropriate, compatible antidepressants may also be prescribed.