Have you ever called a hotline during a panic attack to try and help calm down?

I'm having a panic attack lol. I dozed off briefly then woke up, got up for a drink and took a bite of food, then boom. It's just so hard to tell if I'm panicking or if something happened sometimes. Chest is tight and short of breath. Scared I'm dying as is so common in a panic attack. Tried calling 1 person they're already asleep so thought about a hotline. Have never done that before. But i think it's a good idea to remember. Since I crossed an international border tonight my phone service is not working and I'm waiting to have it switched over hahah. Also I don't want to wake my son who is sleeping soundly. Chugged water. Thought about my son and needing to stay strong for him. Focusing on breath. Ugh. Writing this all down. It was literally so bad a few minutes ago I thought about calling an ambulance. What else can I do right now, myself....ugh 😭

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LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79

Yes, the UK 111 option 2. Often.

Varied results.

But one guy I got through to once actually made a change to my life. We spoke for about an hour, and he emphasised that it is GOOD TO TALK.

It is. About mental health in particular. Had many talks since with virtual strangers, at bus stops and other places. It seems that most have a story.

Sometimes I think that to have someone truly, genuinely LISTEN to us, as we tell our own story, is the greatest blessing. When we learn this, in our mind/heart, then we genuinely begin to listen to others.

Like the story of the guy who went to his therapist and said that he was having trouble in his marriage. "Go back home and start REALLY listening to your wife." He comes back later and says that he has listened to everything his wife has said, but that nothing had improved. "So now go back home and listen to everything she hasn't said" he was told.

"Listening" is truly an art-form.

"Those who have ears to hear, let them hear"