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What is happening?

Choose the situation or describe what you see.

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Instructions for helping yourself

Severe distress / possible panic attack

Before continuing

In an emergency, contact the official service (141) in your area.

What to do

  1. Fast breathing in a young child or older adult, palpitations, cold sweat or pallor: get medical help now. Unknown cause: do not assume panic.
  2. For an episode you recognise, stay somewhere safe and breathe slowly.
  3. If unusual or you are unsure what is happening, seek medical assessment.
  4. Give location and symptoms. No phone or signal: ask someone to call from a safe place. Do not delay help to collect belongings.
  5. Ask a trusted person to stay. Unsafe place: seek protection without exposing yourself and report the danger.

What to avoid

  1. Do not label it only anxiety without assessment.
  2. Do not breathe into a bag.
Child/baby unresponsive with abnormal breathing: child CPRAdult unresponsive with abnormal breathing: CPRBreathing difficulty: medical guideChest pain: medical guideThoughts of self-harm: urgent helpUnresponsive adult, normal breathing, no injury: recovery positionViolence or threats present