Reinforce the behavior you want to see.
A person in panic, or just illness needs to be well. But only the dead are totally unwell. There are always signs of health you want to see. I once helped a friend who had the stomach flu and could not seem to stop vomiting. I waited until a break occurred and had them start counting with me. And as soon as I saw they were not vomiting I ask them. "See, it is working, you are feeling better." They stopped vomiting and started using what worked.
How many times have you seen someone walk into a room and say, "Your (loved one is) not doing so well." Immediately what you say is projected and that person becomes a little more 'not well'. We have to think about what we say and how we say it when dealing with others, anywhere...