I say to them that I feel like I'm in a jungle and a tiger is chasing me and I need to run or die.. but there's no tiger... and I know it! Even if I know there is no tiger that doesn't make the feeling go away. That's when I have an panic attack..
And yes.. day to day anxiety is like waiting for biopsy result.. you feel like something bad will happen and you're not sure what it will be. At the same time the reasoning-me know it's not true... but the feeling-me doesn't.
So I tell them there's nothing they can do (no action nor word) to make the feeling stop completely... But if they stay with me, if they are patient, if they smile, love me and take care that would make a huge difference and it will be more easy to breath, focus and calm myself.
My bf used to try to solve my anxiety like it was a puzzle but no.. It's not like that..
Now he understand more and when I'm anxious he is present and patient.