Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your loss, it’s a hard time after the death of someone you loved and was a huge part of your life. I think you have the right to be feeling grief and remember there is no time limit on how long you grieve. Feeling alone, wondering what you are going to do without your partner, worrying about your anxiety kicking in all contribute to your increased anxiety.
Traumatic events that happen to us encourage stress. Stress can cause shortness of breath, anxiety, panic, nervousness, tension and irritability among other things. High levels of stress can cause panic attacks.
When our bodies are in high stress mode, it engages in "fight or flight". A panic attack is kind of like a "flight". You want to get out of the situation as soon as you can, your breathing gets shorter and quicker and your heartrate elevates. Panic attacks can be onset by a number of things: grief, drug use, depression, heavy stress loads, insomnia etc.
The number one way to "cure" yourself from these uncomfortable anxiety attacks is to pinpoint the stress (which you have, it’s grief because of the death of your partner).
I agree with going to talk to a psychologist as well as your Dr. They can be the view from the outside, so to speak, helping you figure out how to target your anxiety.
I have been in your place and I know how very, very painful it is to loose someone you love so much.
Gentle Hugs,
Kitt