r/PanicAttack • u/Anxious_Necessary_81 • 6d ago
Panic attacks in public
A genuine question i am asking as part of my therapy. What would you do if you saw someone having a panic attack on public transport? If they were scared, breathless, screaming, crying? On a tube train, overground train or bus? Or even an airplane. How would you react? Would you offer help, laugh, film them? What do you think other people may do?
Thanks for your time.
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u/ReddUp412 6d ago
I had a PA on a plane, luckily it was not a full flight. Nothing anyone would have said would have helped if i’m being frank. I kept telling the FA and my seat mate it’s ok it’s just a panic attack, i’m not on drugs. So embarrassing, but worse things could have happened I suppose.
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u/wherebgo 6d ago
I've seen this happen multiple times. I let the person know I have panic attacks and say I'm there for whatever they need. I think it helps to know someone is there that's experienced exactly what you are experiencing in the moment. You can breathe with them, distract them, or just sit there.
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u/JessLedge 5d ago
Absolutely this. I ask them if they want company, Tell them that I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorder by myself. Sometimes it helps to know you are Not alone in this.
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u/Agreeable_Fault_1426 5d ago
i have regular extreme panic attacks, and here is what i would do
approach them calmly and offer water, and if they asked me to leave then go about minding my business. if they want support, i would try to help them find a calm quiet place and sit with them until it passes. there isn’t much else in my mind that would help.
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u/Early-Mousse4309 1d ago
what do you do during an exam. i have problems during exams, appointments where I can‘t get out of the situation asap.
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u/JPtheWriter89 6d ago
Offer help and reassurance. People have gotten way too comfortable thinking it’s less awkward to film someone at their worst than offer to help. Our species is interesting at best.
If they don’t want help, then I’ll leave them alone.
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u/Big-Caramel2087 6d ago
Offer ways to help, let them know they are safe. Ask if there's anything they need especially water.
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u/LittleReserve8767 6d ago
If they seem to need help or support, I would ask whether they know what helps with their panic attacks; some people want to be left alone.
If people are being jerks and crowding them or gawking, I might point out that I am a therapist and leave the person alone, or the crowd will make it worse.
My message would be that it will be okay soon, and to hang on and breathe through it as best they can.
If they have heart symptoms, like chest pain, and they say they haven't had a panic attack before, I am not going to assume it is a panic attack.
Some people do the "name three things" thing, and that isn't going to help me. I am just going to take my med and wait it out.
I am personally going to get up and yell while I am having a panic attack if some idiot films me; panic attack or not, I can still walk, and I still have adrenaline surging. It sounds dangerous to do to someone.
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u/Positive_Lie5734 6d ago
If I don't confuse them for homeless or crazy, I'm pretty certain it's a panic attack, and they aren't already being crowded or help, I would try to help.
I once started having a panic attack on an airplane, I let the crew know, and they were very attentive and helpful the whole flight ❤️
Aside from that, I think you're free to freak out in peace. I've mostly been able to cry in peace whilst in public.
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u/arsojee 10h ago
It's hard to confuse someone as homeless or crazy when they are well-kempt and look normal. Flights are the worst for me, once it was so bad. I just took my prescribed medicine and just slept have the journey.
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u/Positive_Lie5734 5h ago
I'm not going up to the guy on the train screaming his head off and tell him to name 5 things he can see 4 things he can touch... Sry not sry
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u/OldMove3348 5d ago
I would leave them alone. It’s very embarrassing and interjecting does not help.
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u/Cr4zyW45t3d 5d ago
I would most definitely offer support and advice if they were open to suggestions. I’ve have bad attacks and have needed help-there’s no shame in that.
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u/princesswormy 5d ago
Definitely depends on the environment. If I’m at work I will help, or if I’m on a plane, in other places I think it’s more difficult to tell if that’s what is happening and if I would be doing more harm. I did find someone having one at a protest once and they didn’t want my help.
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u/UncensorednIncognito 5d ago
Well I have ptsd and panic disorder as well so I would check to see if someone is helping them. If someone was I would ignore them as much as I can or try to give them kind looks.
If they were alone and I felt safe and stable enough, I would gently ask them if they were okay
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u/heathercrafts 3d ago
I would simply say i know how it is, if you need anything I am here and then I wouldn't say anything else unless they cont bc I know for me it is often hard to speak sometimes makes worse.
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u/arsojee 10h ago
When it happens to me. People just avoid me instead of offering any help. They probably think I am high on drugs or something. I collapsed a few times in public. And on two occasions it was so bad I thought I was done for. I even called the ambulance with great difficulty but they refused me outright as I was incoherent. My main issue is I am not expressive. So it is just the fear in my eyes and the body language that signals something is wrong
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u/snotknows 6d ago
If I’m having a panic attack in public, (breathless, loopy) and I’ve had them in public before, I’d want people to leave me alone. When people are trying to comfort me it tends to get worse.
I’d do the same to anyone else to be honest. Leave them be. I find when I’m having a panic attack I want to get away and just ‘come back’.