I just started a new job on Wednesday. Thursday was my second day. I got to the parking lot and had a panic attack. I haven't been back, but I'm terrified to tell my family. I have been getting up and leaving the house at six in the morning the last three days pretending to go to work.

This has happened to me too many times. I don't know what I'm going to do anymore. I've lost every job I've had because of panic attacks. Even when things seem to be going good.

Taajaca - I am using a really great book called "The Anxiety & Panic Workbook" by Bourne.

One of the shockers to me was that the author suggests doing what you want to do and allowing the anxiety attack to happen. Sit with it. Allow it. Take your time. Then instead of running away - which is the perfectly normal thing to do in such a situation - carry on.

So if you get to the job and have a panic attack, just sit with it and allow it. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and then go into the office. If you have another attack, allow it and do what you need to do and then get back to it. And so on.

I was positive that if I tried this the attacks would get worse and worse until I was ripping out my hair but I had one that knocked the wind out of me. Then I was okay (and felt pretty darned victorious actually!). Then another wave - not as bad as the first - and that passed quickly. Then I was okay and I was able to get through the rest of the night.

But the book explains it better and provides lots of great tools.

I'm just sorry you're suffering this way and on top of it, feeling that you can't tell your family.