Need to help a friend

My boyfriend has bipolar disorder and also suffers severe axiety. Although I've had my share of axiety I'd like to know if anyone can tell me what it is like and what I can do to help him. I am very familier with mental illness so I'm very intrested in this.

Different anxiety disorders can take on different characteristics.

I have GAD, and also get panic attacks, and have some symptoms of social anxiety. With GAD, the fear and the wondering become overwhelming. Every aspect of your life is affected by "what if" questions. I couldn't cross a street without wondering if I would be hit by a car (this was after checking both ways a number of times, then doubting myself, and checking a few more). My panic attacks were very severe, and sometimes lasted up to an hour. The worst part of it was wondering if I'd get to the hospital in time (though I never actually went), or if I'd go completely crazy and be institutionalized.

The social anxiety affected most of my life. I was painfully shy, and the thought of being called on in class was terrifying. The thought would bring on panic attacks, which the teachers never understood. They just thought I was being disruptive, which would focus more attention on me, and cause my panic attack to intensify.

Thankfully, I was finally diagnosed at 18, and am now on Prozac. I'm very outgoing, and have lots of friends. I'm no longer worried about people looking at me. And I trust myself a lot more now when I check both ways to cross the street.

I hope that helped. I dont know if you're looking at a totally different disorder, but I hope that helped a little bit.