Cataplexy attacks can be outwardly shocking to observe. They can also be dangerous for those of us who experience them.
When I have full-body cataplexy attacks the people around me tend to start to panic. I then feel the need to comfort them – but am barely able to keep my head up, let alone speak!
For me, it’s helpful for the people around me to stay calm. Cataplexy is just a more dangerous version of a sneeze for me… something that I cannot control, but it doesn’t hurt me (unless I hurt myself from falling). You wouldn’t panic over someone sneezing, would you?
When the people around me stay calm, the experience is less stressful and embarrassing.
It can also be helpful when people grab things out of my hands that I am going to drop, or help lower me to the ground so I don’t fall hard from my cataplexy attack.
What is helpful for you when you are having a cataplexy attack?