My 10yo boy has developed a crushing anxiety problem. It’s been on and off for a couple of years and just thought he was “a worrier”, didnt really get in the way of life - but now is causing him extreme worry, loss of appetite, tears, and scared to go to school or be in public for fear of panic attacks or bursting into tears in front of people. Hasn’t been to school for a few days now due to the panic. It seems to be irrationally centred around the thought of us (parents) dying and him generally “failing at life” - seems to be an overwhelming fear of bad things in the future when he’s grown up. 

We have an appointment to see a doctor in a weeks time. Wasn’t classed as urgent as no evidence of any physical harming or self harm risk. But not sure how to best help him in the short term? 

Anyone experienced similar?