[nerdponx]

I've had modest success with this kind of thing. Managing to stay calm and maintain your internal composure is very important in the moment.

In a situation like this you need to be able to think on your feet and choose your words carefully, which can be very difficult if you have reverted to a defensive or fearful "fight or flight" mind state.

I personally have benefited a lot from biofeedback and meditation over the years, if only because it has given me the tools to recognize when I am in a fearful state and calm myself down.

The "fear is the mind-killer" mantra from Dune is not really fiction!