Slap to the face

xoxyx

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, but I'm unsure where to post this.

I narrowly avoided getting stuck in a lift a few weeks ago with a person who said that he would freak out if stuck. Now, I don't want to be caught in an enclosed space with somebody who is freaking out.

Films often show calm being restored to a person having a panic attack by the administration of a swift slap to the face.

I'm wondering, how likely is this to actually work? Will the shock of the slap bring them out of the attack more often than not or is it just a movie gimmick? Just in case I ever do get stuck in a lift with a panicky claustrophobic. I don't want to end up getting slapped back!

Chuchoter

I've had a few panic attacks in my time. I really can't imagine smacking me would help very much. :P

stoneill

People who are claustrophobic usually avoid using lifts and generally do not go on a mad panic attack as seen in the movies. It develops over stages, but if you are in a lift with someone who suffers, then gentle reassurance can ally their fears. Get them to sit down on the floor, head on knees and regular deep breathing. Get them to loosen tight clothes, belts, ties etc.

Slapping does not work, it does not accomplish anything except a perceived attack which could make things worse. Also you can be charged with assault.

xoxyx

Don't worry. I'm not about to start going around belting people!:D It was really more of a hypothetical.

It always seems to be the sure fire thing to do in the movies if somebody is acting hysterically. I was just wondering if there was any basis to it.

take everything

Anyone else have that scene from Airplane stuck in their head?

xoxyx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GW0Vnr9Yc

See. It totally works!

opinion guy

I would think slapping a freaked out person in the face would make them freak out more as now they are not just stuck in a lift, they are stuck in a lift with a violent person. Seems they might slap back no ?

xoxyx

I agree!

My train of thought came chugging along the lines of what I would do if I was stuck in a small space with somebody having an attack. First thing that popped into my mind was the usual "you're hysterical - SMACK" scenario I've seen in films. But, on closer examination, that seems like a very bad idea.

It just got me thinking about the whole slapping a person to chill them out idea.

I can how it could make sense, in that the slap could be a way of shocking the person back to reality. But having never experienced a panic attack myself, I don't understand the fundamentals.

ThatDrGuy

Slapping someone causes an adrenalin rush which allows someone to focus better. Really does work apparently. See the mythbusters episode "Slap to the face" Season 8

opinion guy

I remain skeptical. My experience in non panicked states has been that when someone slaps me in the face the effect doesn't exactly calm me down. I don't panic often but I imagine if I did a slap in the face would only give me a focus for my panic

bleg

take everything wrote: »

Anyone else have that scene from Airplane stuck in their head?

I do now!!

xoxyx

opinion guy wrote: »

I remain skeptical. My experience in non panicked states has been that when someone slaps me in the face the effect doesn't exactly calm me down. I don't panic often but I imagine if I did a slap in the face would only give me a focus for my panic

What have you done to get yourself smacked???