I have two things that i do as soon as I realize that what is going on is anxiety or panic attack. I do not wait break the glass. About 3 years ago I had a complete meltdown while waiting for a Rx to be filled. I was in the building where I see P doc. I knew that i was having problems and tried to get the reception person to get him for me. Because I had just left his office she was refusing to notify him. I froze up then went into total shutdown. After it was all over my T and i put together a little kit of items that i could use. It is in a zip lock bag in my purse. The main thing is a small notebook with a list of things I know how to do to calm myself. I can read the list and pick and choose till something works or I have a page with a note that says "I need A Doctor NOW!!!!" P doc added to my note with "You are really going to look stupid if this facility fails to help a person requesting a doctor. Think About It" and signed his name.

He Told me to give the note to anyone around me and point to reception if I can not get there myself. I guess the pharmacy lady is the one that realized something was wrong. She made a big stink about what happened to me at the weekly staff meeting and policy was changed.

The other thing is an expanded version of what is in the zip lock. On my computer I have a word document that lists anything and everything that I have found for coping skills and distractions that I can do to get past the panic and start thinking. I keep a coloring book and colored pencils, close to my chair so I can color Mandelas. I also keep several audio books and some games on my kindle. Even the TV remote can help sometimes. Just surfing through channels till I find something that will hold my attention for a few seconds is a distraction.

I hope you can find something in this and start building a tool kit so you find that you do not need to break the glass. Good Luck