Panic attacks cont.
– Nausea or abdominal distress – Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint – Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles – Chills or hot flushes – Feeling of unreality or detachment from oneself or from one’s surroundings – Fear of losing control – A sense of impending doom or death (270) Crisis Youth MHFA Revisit the Youth MHFA action plan in full. Find medical assistance to determine whether there is a medical emergency. If the young person has not had a panic attack before, and if you are at all unsure whether the young person is having a panic attack or a heart or asthma attack, call an ambulance straight away on 999. The signs can appear very similar (273). Follow physical first aid guidelines, which are: – Help the young person into a supported sitting position – Ask or check to see if they are wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace and follow the instructions – If the young person loses consciousness, check for breathing and pulse, put them into the recovery position and call an ambulance Ask the young person about any history with panic attacks. If the young person says that they have had panic attacks before, and believe that they are having one now, ask them what kind of help they need. If the young person is using coping strategies that are
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