TRIGGER WARNING: This section contains an in-depth discussion of some aspects of mental health, specifically symptoms associated with severe anxiety and risk of suicide. Approximately one in four people suffer with mental health difficulties at some point in their lives, and therefore experiencing these symptoms may be more common that we first think. Reaching out for help can feel empowering and there is good support in place to assist those who need it. If these topics resonate with you and are similar to experiences you have had, consider making an appointment with USC Student Counseling and Mental Health by calling (213) 740-9355 or going online to MySHR.
Panic Attacks
What is an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety is the automatic fight-or-flight response that the body creates when it feels stressed or threatened. Usually, this goes away when the situation is no longer dangerous, but for individuals with anxiety disorders, this feeling manifests itself constantly and affects their ability to perform basic daily functions. Here are some of the general symptoms of anxiety disorders:
- Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more often than not
- Difficulty managing anxious thoughts
- Restlessness / Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by sudden episodes in which a person experiences severe panic and terror. They generally reach their peak in about 10 minutes and end after about 20-30 minutes, but they can feel much longer. Some symptoms of panic attacks include:
- Overwhelming panic
- Feelings of impending doom
- Thoughts that you are dying or losing your mind
- Feelings of detachment from reality
- Chest pain or racing heart
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Hyperventilation
What do I do if someone is having a panic attack?
- Stay with them and help them to breathe. Coach them to breathe deeply into their stomach for a few seconds, and then exhale for a few seconds until the panic subsides.
- Guide them to a more private place if possible.
- If the person has prescribed anxiety medication, assist them in taking it.
- Encourage them that their experiences right now are valid, and that you believe that they are going through something real and frightening to them.
- Do not touch them without permission. Inform them of everything you are doing, and ensure that they are OK with it.
- Ask how you can help them through this.
- Don’t minimize their experiences or compare them to normal stress and anxiety. A panic attack is much different.
Should I call 911 if I or someone else is having a panic attack?
Call 911 if:
- The person is having persistent chest pain that feels like pressure or squeezing and radiates to the arms or shoulders.
- The person is having shortness of breath that is not improving.
- The person has never had a panic attack before.
- The person might hurt themselves or someone else.
Suicidal Ideation
How do I know if someone is at risk of suicide?
A person at risk of suicide may not always have a concrete plan in place to do so. However, there may still be signs of suicidal ideation. Here are some warning signs that a person may be at risk for harming themselves:
- Withdrawal and avoidance of social life and/or studies
- An increase in risky behavior, such as drinking, drugs, or sex
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Acting anxious or stressed out
- Getting agitated or angry
- Impulsivity
- Having frequent mood swings
- Self-isolation
- Talking about harming themselves
- Seeking out means to harm themselves
Here are some things that they may say:
- “I wish I were dead”
- “I want to kill myself”
- “No one will miss me when I’m gone”
- “Nobody wants me around anyways”
- “I feel really trapped right now”
- “What’s the point of living?”
Here are some risk factors for suicide or self-harm:
- Having mental illnesses
- Family history of mental illness
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- History of self-harm
- Previous suicide attempts
- Recent tragedy or loss
- Lack of social support
- Gender dysphoria
- Being LGBTQ+ in an unsupportive environment
- Being a person of color in an unsupportive environment
What resources are available to a person contemplating suicide or self-harm?
At USC, there are various offices and departments that can assist, depending on the severity of the situation:
- Student Counseling and Mental Health: (213) 740-9355
- Office of Religious Life: (213) 740-6110
- Trojans Care 4 Trojans (TC4T)
- This is an on-campus initiative designed to identify possible danger before it can take place. It is an anonymous form that students, faculty, and staff can fill out if they see that a Trojan is having a difficult time and may need professional support.
- Department of Public Safety (DPS): (213) 740-4321
- If the psychological distress is related to sexual assault, please check out our Sexual Assault section for more specific resources.
There are also a number of off-campus resources that you can access. Here is one of the most well-known:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
- Live chat available at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org