Hi I had the same problem I could have argued with the word. I just started to be aware of the problem and just took it under control, until I was ok again it did not take long to be normal again, I just had to think a little more before I opened my mouth, vonny.

do what i did to make them understand !
either A) go to a site of your choice and bring up symptoms ect: Print it out and Handed to them!! and sit there until they freakin read it!! or? B) when you go to the Dr? take them with you ( like i did with the other 1/2) she learned fast it was no Joke i she also learned when i had to take here to the E.R for here 1st Panic attack 6 mnths after i had mine!! when we recieved a false letter from a utility Co that they were gooing to cut a services right after we moved here and it didnt apply to us.. she freak out because in her Mind she knew we paid the hook up services but it was for the previous tentents it had no ones name on it just DEAR CUSTMORE if you dont Pay the balance owed with in 5 day's we will terminate your services the Balance was for the electric Co was $2355.00 lol who lets there bill run up that high?

this is very difficult as i think people dont get the full sense of whats happening unless they have expeienced it,
i think if you are seeing a therapist or a doctor take them along to an appointment with you, also there are helplines that will speak to family members and downloading info from sites.
its a great question and i'm not sure if maybe ds has a group for family members of anxiety sufferers - it would be worth suggesting this to them.
i know at times my partner got really frustrated with me (but hey thats not unusual lol) he couldnt understand why some days i was fine and others not etc, but he did see me go through some horrific attacks where he had to take me to casualty so he knew the severity of the condition, i also used to get really worried when my kids seen me having an attack and this sometimes created more panic! vicious circle, but you have raised a really good point and hopefully something you will raise with ds, are you a member of the DS members group, if not you will find a link on my page and you could post your suggestion there

I have quite a few family members with diabetes and I always relate my anxiety to that.

There are choice I can make in my life, just like in their life with diabetes, that will make my anxiety better or worse. But also I have no control over the other part, just like they do not when their insulin goes out of control, with when anxiety and panic happen.

The real important part in talking to my family was making sure they understand that I NEED their support and I am working hard to care for myself too.

Its a hard road but when you become more confident in yourself talking to others about your anxiety and what you need from them will be breezy : )