Hi Cin,

I want to say something that will make you feel better, but the truth is it's hard to say how long it will last. I've had it for 14 years, but I have to say it's not as bad as it had been. It's a matter of finding the right counselor, medications, supplements, etc. Try practicing breathing deeply from your diaphragm...this really helps. The Ativan is nice, but very addicting. I'mon it as well. Take it for the short term, but please don't take it for longer than a couple months. The tremensoud feelings you are having, wanting to jump out of your skin, etc., will get better. I promise. Breathing really helps with that. Also, you might want to try some calming oils that you can put in a tissue to inhale. (I love that) Listening to subliminal CDs regarding anxiety can also be helpful. If you ever need to talk, please feel free to contact me. I know where you are with this, and I would have given anything for someone to have understood me 14 years ago. I would have loved to have known there was hope. There IS hope. We just have to get you breathing right, watch your caffeine, etc. So many things to try! Good luck to you.

Thank you Kimi,
Anything you have to say is helpful. I am at a point now that I am beginning to think that I have some serious disease that is making me feel like I can't breathe..truth is that when I relax I can breathe..doesn't stop me from thinking that way though and I think it just makes everything even worse..does this make any sense..because it makes little sense to me:) At any rate..thank you so much for talking with me. I so appreciate it!
Cin

Good reply, kimi. The anxiety and panic feelings you are having may be quite temporary or may last for a while. Only time can tell. The only reason that panic attacks work is because they know how to get into your head every time and know how to scare you. I would recommend, on top of what kimi said, starting a journal of when you have these attacks and what situations may trigger them. Perhaps you can find a theme and begin to reason out why they are being triggered and start discounting the thoughts you have during the attacks.

Good luck and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions.

Hi and welcome! Can't tell you how long it will last but can tell you it will get better. Does not seem it now, but it will.
Good luck!

i have done this many times--even went hom eform work early if I could. I started having panic attacks and anxiety about 5 years ago. don't rely on ativan--though it does work, it is addictive. The truth is, if when every time you feel anxious you run to a place you consider safe (like home), you never learn to deal with it. Now if that happens, I say to myself "stop for a moment, what's happening?, you're going to be fine." take a deep breath by pushing your belly out and exhale slowly. That usually helps. Then I find some small task to focus on or someone to chit chat with and it distratcts me. It's a struggle since I stopped medication, but it forces you to really find a way to cope. The scented oils are calming. I use a balm called "sleep" by Badger, which you can find at Bath and Body Works. Or i make some hot chamomile tea and just breath it in. Good luck and write if you need.

It will get better. Just takes time, patience, and work.

if i get pannicky i always cry i think this is a normal reaction ,so do not worry .i usaually ball in front of people ,difference being i always sleep like a log.love jules11

it ends when you decide to make a serious effort to get better and not before, you dont grow out of it

i always have that choking feeling and a hard time swallowing and breathing i just close my eyes and think of something that makes me feel safe and do some deep breathing thats what helps me.and just remember you'll be fine!!

Hi Cinabar. It ended for me with the right medications.. Synthroid for a low thyroid. Celexa (an SSRI anti-depressant) for the panic condition. Estrogen (estradiol) for low estrogen, i.e., early menopause. I highly recommend the book, "Screaming to Be Heard" by Elizabeth Vliet. She explains the connection between hormones and anxiety in women. The primary estrogen that your ovaries produce helps increase the serotonin level in your brain. As you age, your estrogen declines and so does your serotonin level. If you have a panic disorder this can add to problem. A low thyroid which is common with people with a panic disorder, particularly women, can add to your anxiety, problems sleeping, etc. Low estrogen also adds to an inability to sleep. I recommend going to a good endocrinologist for the thyroid test, as GP's don't always know how to properly interrupt the result of the test. Hope this helps. I've been through what you're going through. Nicki

Whoops.. I wrote interrupt instead of interpret.. Getting tired. Nicki