i had the same problem severely a few years ago (almost every day to the point that i had to retire early). i improved quite a bit years ago with the help of a service dog who could sense when i was about to have an attack and alert me to take anti-anxiety medicine before the attack happened. however what really helped me at first was to take prophylactic medication until my generalized level of anxiety decreased. (i did relaxation desensitization therapy and other relaxation methods like yoga but it wasn't until the attacks reduced that any of it helped. ) in the meantime the best thing you can do for your friend is to help her with a solution for her real fear - vomiting in public. encourage her to carry a plastic zip-loc bag in her purse (so if she does get sick she won't make a mess that others will have to deal with) and tell her if she feels that she is going to be sick in public you will help her get to a private place to be sick if necessary. there is also an over-the-counter medication called emetrol that will calm the vomiting reflex and allow her to relax and calm down. i still have occasional serious nausea attacks but i always carry at least water and sometimes diet soda to calm my stomach. (for what it's worth i think my extreme anxiety on the subject was caused by a kindergarten classmate who vomited all over me during nap-time. ) the fear of vomiting in public is not typical but it can be very debilitating - and it is much more difficult to treat than a fear of heights or claustrophobia. it is virtually impossible to do progressive desensitization for vomiting - it's kind of difficult to "partially" vomit then relax!
what can i say to a friend while she is having an anxiety attack? . my friend has generalized anxiety disorder and she has panic attacks pretty often. once or twice a week typically and when it's the worst daily. they get bad and it's pretty scary. i was wondering what i can do/say to her that will stop the anxiety attack or make it less bad so she doesn't have to leave class. she has a fear of throwing up that's often what causes the panic attacks even when she just has a stomachache she freaks out. she is on treatment but it can only help so much.