When a person experiences a panic attack, the best thing to help them do is breathe deeply. By breathing deeply, the person will calm down.
You want the person to take a deep breath in through their nose, hold it for a count of 4, and then exhale through their mouth for a count of 6. Have them do this a few times and the oxygenation of the deep breathing will help them to overcome the panic they are feeling in the moment.
In terms of overall support for one who is experiencing panic attacks and trauma, it is best to let them know that you love and support them, but that you are not a therapist so have no way to help them in the way that a professional could. Give the person some resources where they can find the help they require and then just tell them that they could give these places a call when they are ready. Then leave the subject alone.
I have had past clients have friends who put my clients into situations where they were looking for my clients who had serious issues of their own to act as a therapist for them. I told each of them to tell the person in their life who was doing the same thing. One found a professional to refer her to and the other just used it as a boundary to stop talking to her about these issues because it was overwhelming to her and she couldn’t help him.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.