Yes I have had this too. It's awful. I was so bad I couldn't go to work. Then, I realized I HAD to go to work so I drove in fear to work every day. Eventually, I grew accustomed to the drive to work and the fear subsided. I have done this with other fears as well - face it by going through it on a daily basis.

Malls are tough because an exit is not always visible - that was my issue with them. I always needed to know where the bathroom was and where the exits were. When I was first doing the exposure to malls I would go in and want to run back out - and sometimes I did. In time though I was able to do the malls with no issues.

Take care

panic attacks, also called anxiety attacks are a false triggering of the fight or flight response,
google fight or flight response for all the possible effects of it. panic
attacks often are inherited. they cant harm anyone so should not be feared. when
feeling stressed or panicky simply relax and breathe deep and slow. dont tense
up or fight back against it. do disolve any mid range valium type pill under
tongue for fastest help, google sublingually. agoraphobia is avoiding or
fearing places or situations likely to cause a panic attack. Ive found that the
best advice in overcoming both is in cheap self help books from internet
bookstores, order a few to be delivered to you by mail. therapists, especially
psychiatrists often give little advice and consider the panic attacks as
unimportant. they waste time and are often expensive, also their advice is hard
to remember as most patients are very nervous. valium type meds are still
the best for reducing or stopping a panic attack, if taken to hospital, the
usual treatment is an injection of valium. antidepressant meds help some a lot
but sufferers can have severe early side effects so start at much less than the
min dose range and slowly work dose up, google the antidepressant dose range for
guidance. valium reduces early side effects. antidepressants take from 2 to 6
weeks to start working and occasionally never help. the prozac or SSRI type are
popular but other types also help and so can be tried. older sedating
antihistamines calm some. valium type must be used sensibly but its been my long
experience that few sufferers have addictive type personalitys,t he main problem
being to get them to take a large enough dose rather than stopping them from
taking too high a dose the fight or flight response can become a strong
addiction, people activate it with dangerous sports, downhill skiing, bungee
jumping, parachute jumping, etc so some panic attack sufferers refuse to make
any attempt to recover or to take helpful meds. panic attack and agoraphobia
sufferers dont usually lead very stressfull lives. they become expert at seeming
calm and relaxed whan actually panicky I had panic attacks and severe
agoraphobia for 20 years before diagnosing myself and am now completely recovered

Hey Cora!

I am with you! I have had them so bad, I thought I would die in the grocery store! What I try and do is paced breathing, think positively, and especially pray! These attacks can be fearful, but remember, you are in control!

Thank you guys for your support, it means a lot!
I DID IT!! :) I survived.
I rewarded myself with many beutiful things..
Thank you for your advices, I was breathing slowly and I was thinking positively..and it worked. :)
I have to admit that I was thinking about this group and all of you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you...this support group is great.
My best to you! :D

That's great! So glad you did it!