An abused friend is having panic attacks?
Someone I know has recently gone through a lot of physical/sexual/emotional abuse. He’s out of that situation now, but is very quiet and on-edge. The other day I came up behind him and touched him on the shoulder, and he had a full-fledged panic attack. He could barely breathe. I eventually calmed him down, but I don’t know what to do? How else can I help him? I’m worried that therapy will only make things work e.g. put him in an institution.
Firstly the situation you describe is very unusual. Panic attacks are usually random in nature and not brought on by whatever situation you are in.
Anyway, if he were to be brought to me by yourself as a concerned significant other I would certainly refer him to a psychiatrist.
You need to use a bit of trickery to get him to his doctor. Tell his doctor that your are concerned over his mental health and that he is unwilling to seek help himself. You may then make an appointment on his behalf.
While it is deceitful you should take him to the doctor under the pretense of a different situation.
Comments
Comment from Gopal
Time January 19, 2010 at 12:47 am
Firstly the situation you describe is very unusual. Panic attacks are usually random in nature and not brought on by whatever situation you are in.
Anyway, if he were to be brought to me by yourself as a concerned significant other I would certainly refer him to a psychiatrist.
You need to use a bit of trickery to get him to his doctor. Tell his doctor that your are concerned over his mental health and that he is unwilling to seek help himself. You may then make an appointment on his behalf.
While it is deceitful you should take him to the doctor under the pretense of a different situation.
References :
PhD, MA , Doctor of medicine
Comment from Cookie
Time January 19, 2010 at 1:33 am
Dear Eric:
Thank you for caring for your friend. You do not have to send him to an institution at all. I suffered from panic attacks and i was able to work and everything. I went to the psychiatrist and took prozac and clonazepam and after a year i was off panic attacks. It´s been 4 years without panic attacks. It is important that he seeks psychiatric help, medicines help to alleviate symptoms. It is important that you tell him not to be fearful, fear only brings new panic attacks. Yoga is excellent because he will learn breathing techniques.
hugs
cookie
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Comment from BlackBerry Addict
Time January 19, 2010 at 12:27 am
Awe I’m very sorry to hear this NO ONE should ever be abused!
He needs to be in therapy and it could take years because abuse does such emotional/physical harm to a person. That sounds like post traumatic stress disorder along with some panic attacks. He needs to see an abuse therapist asap, he needs to start some medication and talk therapy. GOOD LUCK to him, you’re being great for caring so much about them.
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