Understand a Panic Disorder
It is really pathetic when you find one of your near and dear suffering from a panic attack or agoraphobia that is characterized by the person experiencing severe feelings of fear, terror and horror. It is still more concerning to find that the fear is so intense that the person feels he would get such attacks more often that could be more severe.
These attacks could hamper the everyday life of the person with him or her being subject to unwanted worries, fear and horror every day.
It is quite possible that you and others could not understand at all or find it very difficult to figure out what an agoraphobic is going through with your wanting to help but feeling helpless. It is however significant to note that during a panic attack a person’s body alarm system gets triggered and one could get alarmed over even insignificant things that may be very difficult for others to understand.
It is good to say by observation that panic attacks are biological and could also be genetic. However your wanting to help someone with a panic attack would mean that you need to understand the complexities of the attack first. Then you would be in a position to not only help the person to get over the present panic attack, but also to bring about changes to eliminate such attacks in future and lead a happy and fear-free life.
This involves first understanding that panic attacks are a source of embarrassment and complex for agoraphobic. So you need to create a feeling of trust in them that you will accept them as they are and will also not leak out their personal insecurities to anyone.
Help someone with panic disorder
Helping out a near and dear one with agoraphobia involves first understanding a significant sign that he or she feels that one is suffering from something that is very serious. Your efforts may seem to fail as he or she may be determined that one wants and needs medical help and advice.
There are various cases when the affected goes to the extent of being convinced that he or she will become mad or even die soon. But there is no use in losing your cool or confidence as it is not your fault, it is just that they have an illusion.
Next panic disorders present themselves at certain times and not at all times. This does not mean that one is manipulative, for the basis of their fear itself could be a fear. Also symptoms come unannounced and could vary from time to time. As their abilities turn to inabilities they could be filled with anxieties. This may make them avoid even their once enjoyable activities.
Having a panic attack may mean that an agoraphobic may be under the false notion that he or she has a life threatening or heart disorder. To ascertain that it is not due to a physical disorder, several tests may have to be carried on. However putting his or her mind at ease may be very difficult or sometimes even impossible. It is wise to be empathic and understand that his or her feelings are overwhelming and uncontrollable.
Your important role as a support person can help in making the road to recovery fast and sure. Once you have understood the complexities your role first lies in accepting him or her as it is without questioning their fears.
Prodding excessively does not pay, in many circumstances this could lead to the aggravating of fears, anxiety, shame, embarrassment and may lead the affected to not come out fully with his or her symptoms. This would only stand in the way of finding an effective cure.
So helping someone with panic disorder requires giving him or her time to decide when one wants to come out with ones fears and concerns. This would make one feel that one still has control over the situation and would be ready to cooperate. It may look like prolonging the cure, but actually it would work very effectively in helping ones friend.
In addition your belief that an agoraphobic is not weak and is making progress each time he or leaves ones comfort zone would help make you efficient in helping him or her.
Helping someone with a panic disorder is something very fantastic that you would be doing, but you need to take care of yourself. It can be very tough balancing the roles of a support person with his or her own needs and a person having difficulties in balancing himself or herself.
You could experience feelings of resentment, anger and a sense of helplessness. So you need to also take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet, and taking rest and relaxing. Lastly you need to understand your own limits and take help from others when needed.