Does/did your did your significant other have an anxiety disorder? How can I help my boyfriend?

I have severe anxiety and panic attacks, as well as Bipolar disorder. Sadly for me, the emotions and chemical changes that happens in my body during an attack or episode makes the other worse. I can't even have anyone get physically close to me during an attack or emotionally any other time. My boyfriend kind of made me open up and I can't tell you exactly HOW he does it because I often black out and don't remember it but I have asked him how he does it... how he gets close to me, he is at basic training or I would have him respond but me telling you what he has told me will have to do. He told me that to physically get close to me he just has to do it because he can't help if he isn't there. Also, don't push him, if he can't let you touch him maybe just crouch in front of him. He has told me that he has to force me to focus, make him talk, make him take control and make decisions, "Do you want your medicine" Obviously he needs it, but make him tell you he does. "Can I put my hand right here?" He puts it on my knee and starts with small soft circles with his thumb. If he says no, just talk and ask again later. Get to the point that no one knows him better than you, then you will know, some things he won't tell you are things you shouldn't do or say during an episode or even what you should do or say. Water helps a little- if he can drink it, at first I can't do anything, after a while and he gets me calmed down a little I can. Sometimes you need to distract him, talk about anything to get his mind off of it, bring up something really good, a good memory, something that will ground him down. Just remind him to breathe- make him breathe with you if you have to, once I get to the point he can touch me I like to listen to his heart beat and try to calm mine down to meet his, it reminds me what mine should be like. But there isn't a lot you can do until he has calmed down a little except try to get him grounded. The attack has to run it's course but if you can get through to him you will be able to help. And also, you need to stay relaxed... kind of like when soothing a baby, talk calming, but DO NOT freak out yourself, it will make it worse for him. Treat it like something that happens all the time- for me it does- and be confident with what you are doing, if you are too harsh or too timid you will make it worse. And try to find the triggers and help keep those away, if you know there is something that will trigger an attack- even 30 % of the time- try to avoid it. For me, really common factors are being late on taking my medicine, lack of protein, if I skip a meal, if my routine is broken or something unexpected happens, not enough sleep several nights in a row, change for some reason I just do not adjust well to change, and a few other things. But everyone is different, figure him out. If you love him... and you do or you wouldn't be asking. You can do it, you can help at least a little, make him trust you... with EVERYTHING, even

I personally have an anxiety disorder. I recently discovered that I was both anemic and sensitive to wheat gluten. When I started taking an iron supplement and avoiding wheat, it cut my anxiety down into a fraction of what it used to be. Just throwing that at you. He might have an underlying medical problem. Something else that has helped me is learning to ride out the anxiety attacks. I accept the pain in my chest and my shortness of breath as something that will get better on its own.

I agree with the person who responded first but realize that saying you'll get help and going through the motions isn't actually excepting help. I have terrible anxiety and I have for as long as I can remember and I'm on meds and seeing a therapist but I haven't improved because I haven't opened up enough to do so. I excepted help but I am trying to control recruiting so much I can't fully except it. Even knowing this I just can't let go.