Examples of common Safety Behaviours

Sitting or lying down / Leaning against a wall
Going out ‘for air’ / Getting a glass of water
Leaving a situation
Asking for someone’s help / Phoning someone
Sitting near an exit
Avoiding crowds
Carrying your mobile phone – or a ‘good luck charm’
Only visiting friends with whom you feel ‘safe’
Only going to places you feel ‘safe’
Never going out alone (bringing a ‘safety person’)
Opening a window (indoors or in car)
Making sure we eat a certain food or supplement
Making sure we get the ‘exact’ amount of sleep
Wearing loose clothing / avoiding warm rooms
Avoiding physical exertion (for fear of increased heart rate)
Distraction – turning up the TV, radio, humming loudly, engaging in some activity to try to block out the panic
Practising relaxation or deep breathing in a frantic attempt to ‘get rid of’ the panic