My girlfriend gets bad anxiety attacks... Xanax will help her but make her groggy and tired... I tend to just stand by and hold her hand.... Also if you know anything of the chakras... a little pressure on the third eye(the spot on the center of your head just a hair above the eyes).

There are 2 things which come to mind: 1. Do your best to listen to her without giving advice, opinions, or judgment. Anxiety is usually a matter of a person's thoughts spinning around in repeating cycles -- going over the same fears over and over again. When we can talk to others about these thoughts, it becomes obvious that they're irrational and the mind gets a little bit of "breathing room" from the storm. But its important to leave out your opinions, judgments, and advice: because all of that stuff just becomes more debris in the tornado of thoughts. You're responses should be simple acknowledgments with compassion -- e.g. "I understand, that sounds painful. What else?" 2. Try to get her to see a counselor or therapist -- someone trained to diagnose a serious disorder. We all go through periods of anxiety and stress in life, but a professional is trained to distinguish between normal episodes which a person can typically resolve in the process of living, or more severe disorders which might require specialized treatment.

Has your girlfriend had a physical and psychological examination lately? this is necessary to determine the underlying causes of her anxiety. there are many excellent medications available for anxiety, only from a medical doctor. I think it is excellent of you to be concerned of your girlfriends problem with anxiety. I think you are already giving her the support she needs, by your concern. Now, see that she see makes that doctor appointment and you go with her. thats support!

Congrats on sticking around and asking for help to support your g/f who iis having some problems! Some guys would take off or be unwilling to help. First, be sure she has seen a doctor to rule out any physical causes of her anxiety symptoms. If she has, and if she has been diagnosed with it, here are some things that help that you can do: 1. Read up as much as you can on anxiety disorders so you will be familiar with then generally as well as the common syptoms people get during an anxiety or panic attack. See books below. 2. Let her know you are not afraid of the symptoms and that you will help her any way you can. Also let her know it is OK for her to tell you if she feels anxious or is starting to get anxiety feelings. This way, you can help her by talking with her or help her get out of the situation if you think that is best if that's what she wants. She needs to feel support but also like she is in control, so ASK HER what she wants from you. "How can I help you feel better, safer or less afraid?" 3. Do not "play up" the symptoms or play them down if she starts to talk about them. Listen, and let her know you know they must be uncomfortable to experience, but from all you have read (see # 1) they are not dangerous, and if she does not fight them, but tries to distract herself instead of focusing on the symptoms, they will go away much sooner. 4. Accept her as she is now, and let her know that even though she has anxiety off and on, everyone does, but she just has it worse and shows or feels it in a different way. Let her know you do not think of her as mentally ill or think any less of her due to the anxiety symptoms. If she has not already done so, you might mention that you read where support groups and counselors who specialize in anxiety can help people get over it (I did many years ago, and millions of people do, so it is true!). You might offer to go with her to either a counselor or support group if she is not involved with either and if the idea appeals to her. There are other things you can do to help. Buy the cheap paperback books by Dr. Claire Weekes on Amazon or @ any big book store, like "Peace From Nervous Suffering" or "Hope and Help For Your Nerves." Both are VERY fast and easy reads, and have alot of good info on anxiety, and also what people who live with or are around people who have anxiety can help. Excellent books for HER to read also! Good luck! It is really a very treatable emotional problem. Hang in there.

For any who have this condition or know someone who does: Xanax or other benzodiazepines or anti-anxiety drugs only mask the symptoms, and do not get to the ROOT of the problem--why is the person having anxiety attacks? The benzodiazepines are also HIGHLY addictive. The person having the anxiety needs a good cognitive counselor to find out the cause of the anxiety. If all an anxiety sufferer does is take pills, they will be on them for life. My mother and aunt were both were on pills all of their adult lives and it all could have been avoided for the most part if they had not been so resistent to seeing a "therapist."

Listen to her and believe her. Dont think that she is just making all of her symptoms up. Shes not a hypochondriac. I have an anxiety and panic disorder and my boyfriend was very unsupportive at first. He thought I was over reacting to little things and making up everything. That is one of the worst things you could do. Just listen to her and comfort her.

I wanted to give an answer -- But, there all taken! I liked and learned, from all the above answer's -- Thank's everybody !! --- Pattijo

i have anxiety and the best thing my boyfriend does is listen to me. this is one of the best things you can do. especially if she feels like nobody understands her.

Be there and lesson. Lesson to her anxieties about the world and help her to find solutions.

Since I agree with most everyone elses answers, the only thing I can add is a suggestion that has helped me at least be able to get SOME sleep at night.... When I wake up in the middle of the night usually around 4 am I will toss and turn and worry the rest of the night unless I write down a list of things I am thinking of and or things i don't want to forget to do the next day. Once I have written them all down I can go back to sleep! Yu can suggest this to her if you like it has help me alot......Also a friend bought me the book dont sweat the small stuff it was soooo good for me!

I applaud you for wanting to support your girlfriend and for staying with her. As some who suffers from panic/anxiety attacks, just stay by her side and try to reassure her that everything is ok and that you love her. Don't try to "fix" her or the problem, just listen. If she isn't already, I agree with the others, try to get her to go to a trained professional that is experienced in handling this situation. If she needs to cry then hold her, if she needs to scream, sit there and take it, if she just needs to curl up in bed and be quiet, be there as a silent support. As one who suffers this problem, thank you for asking how to support her.

Good answers already have been posted. I would say that you could also resaaure her and be present for her.

I myself have anxiety attacks so I applaud your desire to support your girlfriend. The most important thing you can do for someone who is in the middle of an attack is remind them to breathe. It seems silly but when someone is having an attack they often breathe very shallowly and can even hyperventilate and pass out. Another thing is to ask your girlfriend when she is not anxious what helps her to calm down. Then you can remind her when she is having trouble. The best thing you can do is be there for her.

Say Its ok, Everyone is uncomfortable about something.

I dont agree with re-inforcing the intrusive thoughts she is having. It is wonderful you are so caring to her. The anxiety is a behavior she has taught herself. To sit and dwell will only reinforce it. I dont suggest acting like it is OK, But you need to de-rail her thinking. Meaning it would be better to discuss a great movie you guys watched or something recent and positive. The positive effect will be much healthier for her and her way of thinking. It is normal to discuss a problem that has true reason to it. But if she is thinking irrational, intrusive thoughts, the best thing to do is change those thoughts to something more positive or realistic. She shouldnt even be feeding that fire when it happens as it will always escalate which is exactly what you dont want. If you were to ignore her or make her feel bad it would only intensify her negative feelings. These thoughts are usually lies, so of course you wouldnt encourage her to lie to herself. For example: If someone believes they cant breath when they certainly can, thats a lie! There are 2 parts to the brain which control rational thinking, these 2 parts dont communicate with each-other. Which is why someone will really want to go somewhere yet they feel held back by the fear. If we were to focus on how great the store is and what we can buy when we get there, it would be a much better result than focusing on the dread of going! I could go on forever with this subject, but I hope this helps :)

You need to make sure to listen to her. Do not pass judgement or critize her. If you have never had one it is extremely hard to understand but you can still be there for her. Encourage her to talk about it with you and describe everything in detail. Give her plenty of support and encouragement.

be there for her - you might get your butt yelled at for no reason when she feels anxious - ask if there is anything that will make her feel comfortable - and know that she does appreciate you being there