Yesterday we were out shopping. Grace then announced she needed to go to the bathroom, and I was really cross. We were in the middle of finding things in Spotlight and I always tell her to go before we leave.
Anyway, left Chad in the store and went next door to the cafe to use their bathroom. As we left we walked past a girl about 18, facing a wall and shaking and crying. She was a waitress in the cafe. I stopped and asked if she was okay and realised she was having a panic attack - she was struggling to breathe and in full-body shakes.
I told Grace to stand near me and stood with the girl trying to coach her to slow her breathing. All these people surrounded us and I told them to give her space and get her a chair. Grace called Chad so he could come out of the store to be with her.
People kept asking if they should get her an ambulance and I said they could call but we may be able to work through this (which we need up being able to do). I told the girl to focus on me. She confirmed she had had a panic attack before so I told her I would help her through this one, and I told everyone else to stop trying to give her water or touch her.
I reassured her that panic attacks don't normally last more than 10 minutes, that she was strong and whatever had triggered it could wait and she just needed to breathe, listen to my voice, and let me guide her out. I told her I get panic attacks all the time, that they do pass and they make you stronger and she can cope with this.
She eventually came out of it, and I could see she was embarrassed. Her boss was lovely and I told her to let the girl have a break in the break room, and let her regroup. I told the girl to chat with her doctor about options to support her and gave her a hug.
It was a weird feeling going back into the store to keep shopping. I chatted with Grace about what happened and told her that I was sorry for getting cross at her for needing the toilet, as if that hadn't happened I wouldn't have been at the cafe at the right time to help.
Felt proud I could help and I really hope she is okay - I know how hard it is to recover and how you feel so embarrassed and how you feel broken. I hope her journey gets smoother and she realises that mental illness does not have to hold you back, but can power you forward.
I hope one day she also gets the chance to pay it forward and it makes her feel that all the pain is worth it when you get to help someone else.