Seeing my ex would give me anxiety attacks as well. The first time it happened was almost 4 months after he left and it was totally unexpected. He approached me in a store. After he walked away all I could think about was getting out of there. I don't run into him often but he lights up like a Christmas tree when he sees me and wants to talk. I don't engage...I can't. It's been almost a year and a half and I'm still grieving. I miss him...he was my love and my best friend. I've had to set boundaries and tell him to leave me alone.
I once read the person who cares the least has the most power. It's true.
You are doing the right thing by staying away from him. You have to protect yourself and your heart. Keep your head up and fake a smile. Acting like you don't care is the best approach in my opinion. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you feel this way. I can unfortunately certainly relate. I'm on anxiety medicine because of the way I feel when I see her which is alot since we still have to live together. But what I really wanted to say here is the previous responce had something written that caused to really think. "The person the cares the least has the most power" is absolutely true. I look at my own life and read your post and it fits 100 % . I wish I had words of encouragement but all I can think of saying is keep on the path your on and try not to let him see your pain. Talk to friends or a pastor just to help you through times like this. God bless

I have been separated now for 4 months with very little contact with my stbxw, she cheated on me and has dragged me and our children through the muddy waters of divorce court. When I first had to see her in court I would get so anxious and upset, slowly but surely after a few times things got easier to where now I have very little reaction. You have to look at things as objectively as you can, will contact make it better or worse for YOU. Even if you do contact him or he contacts you, you probably won't get the response you're looking for. Stay strong and really put some thought into the damage any contact will create in your life. God bless. Ken

This advice may be a little off topic but the words are profound and helped me. I was date raped and severely traumatized by the event. He has thick sausage like hands and whenever. Saw a man with similar hands I had anxiety attacks for a year and a half. I was seriously considering gaining a ton of weight so as to not attract any attention. A kind and ver wise counsellor told me that I should take care of me and not give him Amy more power over me than he had already taken. Live your life large and carefree and move forward with your held up high. If you have weak moments so be it, but over time perhaps they will diminish. So sorry for your pain