[MissCathryn]

My son called me at work last night to tell me he thought he was having a panic attack. He coughed, and a bit of blood came out. He freaked oout and started googling. Well of course, he thought he had lung cancer. When I got here, He couldn't stop thinking about it and nothing I was saying was helping. He was shaking, sweating, heart palpitations, etc. Classic panic attack. I used to get them too, for the exact same reason-I thought I had some kind of disease of I was dying of something.

Even though I have had the same exact panic attacks for the exact same reasons, I didn't know what to say to help him! When I had them, NOTHING anyone could do or say would help. I was 100% convincedI was seriously ill or dying. No one could help change my mind. My poor son was the exact same way last night.

Whats the best way to deal with that? How can I help him? What do I say?

Finally, Xanax (doc prescribed for slight anxiety) helped and he came out of the panic.

He was like this for like 2 hours--exactly like mine were. I remember how horrible they were..like going through hell. I feel so, so bad for him.

Any suggestions/help please?

Thank you so much

what always helped me was being taken from the situation causing the panic, being taken in to a quiet room, being sat with, and offered a drink

what also helps me is being allowed to just touch the person's hand or arm

calms me down

how is he doing now?

I'm sorry about the current lack of responses.

this is a very busy site, with lots and lots of people in diffrent time zones

I guess it was missed (though it doesn't often happen, promise!)

[Under*Over]

He coughed up blood? Does he have some sort of medical condition that would cause this? Make it normal?

Yes having a panic attack because of it is not a good thing- panic attacks are the worst- but I could maybe understand it a bit more connected to the coughing up blood thing. Hes young, and scared, and therefore that symptom of coughing up blood- well, enough to push him over thr top.

I know when I used to have panic attacks- especially when I was psychotic (or just being unrealistic) it was always helpful to me to have someone just- be there without immediately trying to push me back into reality. Someone just to listen until it was over. It was awful enough to have a panic attack without at the same time having to feel like a freak for having one.

So just be there for him. If he starts getting nervous about his health- dont dismiss it. Validate his feelings of the fear- let him speak even if you feel the need to immediately ‘fix’ the problem- and then when hes calm again, go in and talk to him further about things.

[Marwy]

As soon as I feel a panic attack cominig on I put the Xanax under my tongue and it melts...that way it goes into my blood stream very fast. I am so glad that you were there to help your son. The Xanax has always prevented my panic attacks. I carry it with me all over.

[MissCathryn]

TY for the responses! He hasn't had another one since. I hope it is just a one time thing but I had panic attacks for the same reasons. He has been doing perfectly fine since.