An anxiety attack is a sudden response of fear or intense discomfort. You should look for any of the following signs and symptoms:
-Increased heart rate and non-oppressive chest pain.
-Suffocating sensation.
-Stiffness in legs and arms or tingling sensation.
-Abdominal pain.
-Excessive sweating.
To do:
-Isolate the victim from the stressful environment.
-Try to relax the victim with calm, successive breaths, taking the air in through the nose and expelling it through the mouth.
-Reassure the victim by telling him that the situation will be controlled if he follows the advice. If you have a bag, have him breathe into it.
-Speak in a low tone, trying to maintain a pace that does not increase the victim’s nervousness.
-Assess pulse rate, number of respirations and pain.
-Provide privacy to the victim.
-Obtain information about what happened. Stay calm and ask for help from the 112 Emergency Service.
What NOT to do:
-Making gestures or bringing stressors to the scene that could increase the crisis.
-Give exciting drinks or foods (coffee, cola drinks, chocolate, tea, “energy” drinks are some commonly consumed products that can provide enough excitement to trigger an anxiety crisis).
-Judge the reason for the victim’s anxiety crisis.