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DEFINITION:
Panic is a state of overpowering fear, usually sudden in onset, and resulting in violent, uncontrolled behavior which may cause injury to self and others. For practical purposes, panic differs from ordinary fear in that ordinary fear does not exclude rational and cooperative activity.
SYMPTOMS:
These are varied and may include: shouting, screaming, weeping, fighting, destroying, trampling, fleeing, clutching, and clinging. In confusion and desperation, an individual in panic may seriously harm himself or others. Panic is contagious and, if unchecked, may lead to mob stampede.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
In general, effective organization and leadership are the best preventive for panic. During war, panic can be minimized by prearranged tasks and routines. These tasks should fit individual capacities, and no task is too trivial. For example, in a given household one individual could be assigned to turn off the gas and electricity; another to take charge of children, invalids, pets; another to look after black-out precautions; another to carry the first-aid equipment, etc.
Children need not present a special problem. If adults are calm, assured and know what to do, children are easily reassured. Planned entertainment is useful in alleviating anxiety and tension. Singing, games and story-telling are useful group activities.
TREATMENT OF PANIC:
Personal reassurance by people in authority, such as air raid wardens, police, teachers, physicians, etc., is helpful. Frequently a calm individual can communicate his own feeling of security to a panicky individual by reassuring words and gestures.