Is there a way to help my boyfriend when he's having a panic attack?

HELP: Suggest he breathe into a paper (not plastic) bag until his odd feelings in fingers and lips goes away. If its high heart rate and anxiety it will go away in time, but the best help would be to encourage him to get proper medication and therapy. Psychiatrists can be helpful.

Have him get help: While reassurance and encouragement to breathe deeply and (especially) slowly might help, the best way to help is to encourage him to see a mental health professional. There are straightforward medication and non-medication (therapy) treatments that are effective for panic disorder.

Knowledge 2 Help: The more you know, the better you can help your boyfriend. "panic attacks tend to start quickly and reach a peak within 10 minutes. The peak generally lasts for about 5 to 10 minutes before the symptoms start to settle. However, it can take quite some time for all the symptoms to subside." source=page on panic disorder by anxiety disorders assn' of british columbia (http://bit.Ly/pylkom).