I know. It can really suck. I hear that mindfulness and radical acceptance help. But I haven't succeeded yet. Hope you feel better soon.

Anxiety disorders take a lifetime to grow. The seeds are there when we are born, and we spend a lifetime watering them and fertilizing them. It just takes 20 or 30 years before it breaks through the soil and we start seeing the green.

Nothing happens from nowhere. That's probably the first law of physics? First law? Yep. Energy can shift and change but can never be lost or gained. Same applies to molecules.

Therefore to have a panic attack, something has shifted. Something has catalysed this chemical reaction sending cortisol and adrenaline hurtling round your body.

Is it a short-circuit somewhere in your adrenal gland? Is it a short-circuit somewhere in your brain? Have you actually done something that deserves this reaction? Have you put your life/survival/social existence on the line by accident somewhere?

Look around for a cause, because there is one. There always is one. And when you find it you can fix it. :)

What if it seems to be caused by menopause? How do I change that? Ever since it hit years ago my anxiety has slowly increased to what it is now. My doctor gave me xanax to take "as needed" but I find I am needing at least half of a .25 mg pill once a day. Lately, it is because I am going back to work after the summer off (I'm a teacher) and I dread it. There isn't a whole lot I like about it anymore, and I am four years from retirement. The other obsession (I think it is an obsession) is health issues. I have so many friends and acquaintances with cancer, heart attacks, etc. lately that I am obsessed I am going to get it and I am going to die.....I know that is simplifying things but these thoughts nag at me all the time. I do have health issues, but they are overall under control most of the time except for a chronic bad back which is made worse by the anxiety and depression. I have never talked to a therapist about it but I wonder if I should. Sorry...this is a bit of a vent I guess. About the menopause....I can't take HRT. I've tried.
Any advice?

mine's not menopause as I"m past that. but it seems things hit all at the same time. best friend moved to Alaska, stopped working, not sure whats going on with a relationship and feeling alone. started seeing my psychologist and started back on meds I was on when I got divorced in 99. but its the feeling inside plus the feeling of sadness that hard

i can relate. I havent found anything to ease that feeling as well. All we can do is have hope