What Not To Say To Someone Having A Panic Attack

What Not To Say To Someone Having A Panic Attack

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Just be patient. You can always dress them down for being weak-willed later. If someone is having a panic attack, never say these things.

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“Are you sure it’s not a heart attack?”

“Are you sure it’s not a heart attack?”

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That’s not a helpful thing to say when they’re probably just having a small aneurysm.

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“Focus on taking long, deep breaths and remember to breathe out slowly.”

“Focus on taking long, deep breaths and remember to breathe out slowly.”

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Just because you’ve been to therapy twice doesn’t mean you get to be a show off.

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“I cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every satanic power of the enemy, every specter from hell, and all your fell companions; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!​” ​

“I cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every satanic power of the enemy, every specter from hell, and all your fell companions; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!​” ​

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Don’t confuse an anxiety episode for being the unwilling host of the archfiend himself.

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“I feel pretty excluded right now.”

“I feel pretty excluded right now.”

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Avoid shifting attention to yourself, even if you’re feeling a little left out of the whole “panic attack” thing.

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“How long do you think you’re going to take?”

“How long do you think you’re going to take?”

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No matter how well intentioned, it’s best to save the logistical questions.

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“Madame, I can assure you this vessel is quite unsinkable.”

“Madame, I can assure you this vessel is quite unsinkable.”

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Come on, she can see the iceberg and the ocean water flooding the upper decks just as well as you can.

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“There’s no point in panicking. We’ve already passed our critical window on climate change.”

“There’s no point in panicking. We’ve already passed our critical window on climate change.”

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Don’t invalidate how someone is feeling with matter-of-fact assessments.

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“Can you land this plane or not?”

“Can you land this plane or not?”

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Someone experiencing an emotional crisis will very likely shut down even further if asked to avert a plane crash.

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“Hey, that looks like fun!”

“Hey, that looks like fun!”

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It is! Don’t rub it in.

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“Let me help you get over your fears by putting you in actual danger.”

“Let me help you get over your fears by putting you in actual danger.”

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You are not licensed to provide exposure therapy, so keep the live bears confined.

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“You’re not alone. You have your weird uncle in Toronto.”

“You’re not alone. You have your weird uncle in Toronto.”

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Reminding them of their weird uncle in Toronto will actually make them feel lonelier than ever.

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“Nice job on the hyperventilation, but the trembling could use some work.”

“Nice job on the hyperventilation, but the trembling could use some work.”

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Are you seriously giving this person notes?

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“Everybody down on the ground now, and no one gets hurt.”

“Everybody down on the ground now, and no one gets hurt.”

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You might think you’re helping, but waving a gun in the air could actually make things far worse.

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“You’re right to panic. Society and the environment are collapsing all around us.”

“You’re right to panic. Society and the environment are collapsing all around us.”

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A simple “I’m here for you” will suffice.

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“For someone so unathletic, you sure are sweaty right now.”

“For someone so unathletic, you sure are sweaty right now.”

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Bringing up their poor performance in sports will not help the situation.

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“No one on Facebook Live believes you’re having a panic attack.”

“No one on Facebook Live believes you’re having a panic attack.”

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Instead try reassuring them that everyone you are broadcasting it to is rooting for them.

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“I’d bet a million dollars your husband won’t survive.”

“I’d bet a million dollars your husband won’t survive.”

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Gambling against someone’s partner making it out of a fatal car accident isn’t the best comfort.

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“Keep calm and carry on.”

“Keep calm and carry on.”

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This reassurance will most likely exacerbate the person’s condition even more after they realize they’re talking to a corny-ass loser.

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“Have some chamomile tea.”

“Have some chamomile tea.”

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If you’re going to offer them something to take the edge off, at least offer them your prescription drugs.

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“You will get through this.”

“You will get through this.”

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Don’t lie.

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