In part 1, we looked at what anxiety is, what it looks like, how it affects people's lives. We looked at reminders that we're aren't alone in this fight. This time we'll look at what others can do to help.

A lot of the time, what happens when someone has a panic attack, they don't exactly know what caused it. What you need to do when you witness it happen, is try to find a way to help that person calm down. First of all, never ever ever say the words "Calm down." It won't help. It might actually make it worse. That's the thing about it being an attack, the person experiencing it can't help it. It comes out of no where. The thing about these attacks is that they are caused by a chemical imbalance, so it takes a different skill set to be able to calm down. Those skills are different for everyone, so that makes it a little interesting trying to help someone in the midst of a panic attack.

One thing that I do is I remind the person to breathe. It's such a little thing right? Sometimes you need that little reminder. Sometimes a panic attack involves hyperventilating, in which case that person needs to be able to calm they're breathing down. Sometimes they need to get some fresh air or have something to drink. What you can do is offer to get those thing for that person. Ask if they need to step outside. Ask if they need some water. Offer to give a hug. Sometimes that person needs to hang onto a loved one for support, sometimes they need space. Always ask before giving that person a hug because you don't know what they need in that moment.

Ask if there's anything you can do or something you can get for them. You never know how much that question can make a difference. You won't know what you can do unless you ask. Maybe that person likes to fidget or hold something in particular to calm down. If they do and you know what that item is, find it and give it to them.

Last but not least, be patient. Never ever ever get frustrated because someone is having an anxiety attack. No one wants to have one. They're probably pretty frustrated about it too, so you getting upset could make it worse.

Find the things that help that person calm down, even if they never tell you. Maybe distract them for a little bit, long enough for the attack to pass, but don;t let the situation go without talking about it once the person has calmed down. Chances are, something caused it. It may not even be the trigger that caused the panic attack. Personally, it's the small things that set off a panic attack, but it's really something that's been bothering me for a while that causes the anxiety to build up.

Stand with that person and be willing to help in any way you can. Don't let that person fight those battles alone. They're fighting a Hydra and need some help with it. Be willing to be the support they need to overcome the fight.