Panic attacks can be frightening and unsettling to go through.

According to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, it’s estimated that approximately 13-percent of the population have experienced a panic attack at some point in their life. A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. When panic attacks occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

The department has released a few tips on how to recognize if someone needs support:

The person has become withdrawn. They may look visibly hot or flustered or their breathing has changed or they are shaking. In some cases, there could be no external signs at all. But if you notice something feels ‘off’, by offering some words of support, gently checking in, and asking whether they can describe what they are going through, you may be able to build up a better picture of what it is that they are experiencing and can then work together to find a way to support them.

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