Need Help - GF is having bad panic attacks + anxiety all day

Hey guys! 1st post here... Help me a little bit please. My GF has been pretty bad for the last 4 months.  I have always been there for her. Just a couple questions. She has anxiety a lot and some times it's all day long. She is constantly complaining that her vision is blurred she has a hard time breathing, And had sharp pains in her chest as well as 100 other things its seems but those 3 seem to be constant during her anxiety. She tells me she feels like she's going to break down soon. Last night she went into a full blown panic attack and I was really scared. Is there ever a need to call 911 because I almost felt like it. I acted really calm and got her to relax after about 5 mins. I never show that I am scared and I thing I'm really good with her. She hates me seeing her like that. She thought she was going to have a heart attack and couldn't feel any part of her body. It's all a blur to her. Anyways what more can I do for her. She wants nothing to do with meds. If she passes out do I call 911? Were going to talk to a specialist. She has now told herself that she needs to seek help. No Meds though. Any help?? Thanks

Hello pingh

I am sorry your girlfriend is having to deal with this and you are having to deal with her suffering.  It is a hard road to hoe to be there for those of us with anxiety - you are to be commended for your patience and support.

There are many manifestations of anxiety.  For me it's an overall malaise and a crushing feeling in my chest and upper abdomen.  For me, anxiety feels like when you get word that someone you love has been in an accident and you are rushing to the hospital - only the feeling is there 24 hours a day. 

I don't know about calling an ambulance but I was taken by my sister to the ER twice - not because she or I thought I was having a heart attack - we knew it was anxiety - but I had to get some relief in some way. 

It's scary I know.  Someone else will post with more helpful info than I've been able to provide.

Krista

I remember when I first started having panic attacks, it was the worst! Tell your gf it can only get better from where she's at. She needs to first become informed about what PA is and get the physical part of panic attacks under control. Often when someone gets panicky their heart rate increases and they start breathing really fast. Adreneline shoots through their body. They feel dizzy, numb, like they're going to pass out. When she's feeling like this, tell her to take deep, slow breathes through her nose, hold it in for a few seconds and then let it out either through her nose or mouth. This is such a simple thing, but has stopped me from having a full blown panic attack many times. Walking also helps me. If she hasn't had a full check up in awhile, she should get one. Sometimes anxiety is caused by physical things like thyroid problems. Having a full check up can rule out any medical conditions and will hopefully put your gf's mind at ease. If she fears she is sick or dying or something, her panick attacks will just get worse. I am glad to hear that she will be going to a therapist. They should be able to help her find ways to deal with her anxiety. Reading about PA helped me a lot too. I liked from Panic To Power by Lucinda Bassett.

Also, remember everyone is different. Just because a lot of us on this site have long term issues with anxiety, doesn't mean your gf will. I have some friends that had terrible anxiety during short periods of lives that no longer experience it at all. Speaking for myself, I have heightened anxiety a lot, but I don't get full blown panic attacks very often and when I do I recognize what they are and I know how to get them under control. You sound like a very caring, supportive person.