It helps to do your own research too. I knew I was bipolar before they diagnosed me cause I did a lot of research into mental illnesses. There's a lot more out on the internet now than when i first researched it 16 years ago. Self help books also help. I have a couple one is called i think "The Bipolar Workbook" and my other one is "DBT for Bipolar." They both have sections about what goes on when you're bipolar. I think one of them has a section for family members. You gotta be careful with anxiety not to get into the panic cycle where you get anxious, then you have a panic attack, then you get anxious about being anxious/having a panic attack again or it'll just cycle and cycle. Here's a long list of coping skills from my pdocs book. It covers pretty much everything. Try a few out every time you feel anxious and see which helps the anxiety pass the fastest. Sometimes even breathing deeply and counting my breaths helps.