I'm not so sure that is symptom of panic. It's true that panic sufferers are kind of "on edge" and more aware of their surroundings but I don't think it's in the same sense you are talking about. However, I do think that your paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing. It pays to be safe and the things you are doing may someday save you.

I do it all the time. I have panic disorder and OCD so between the two is inevitable. Just don't let it get to your head. My breaking point happened one night when I checked out everything, got into bed, and heard a sound that I "thought" was a chainsaw. All of a sudden I felt like I was in a horror film. I called my hubby and I went to a Psych. hospital for an evaluation. I let that paranoia get to my head. After I got out I heard the noise again..realized it was the guy across the street working on his car late at night. Sometimes being too aware of what goes on is even scarier then not because paranoia can do crazy things to your mind and your heart!! I know its hard..but try to calm down. I usually can't myself..but Ive been diagnosed with a bunch of stuff. Maybe you do have a slight form of OCD or Panic Disorder. Not every case is the same!!

I have the same thing.. My doctor said I only have panic disorder but I honestly think I have OCD too.. Before I go to bed I check my back door, look downstairs, and check my front door. Then I lay down, hear a noise, which I know is my cats but its like I just have the urge to get up and check everything out again.. And when I leave my house I put my dog in his kennel and I have to go back and check it like 4 times to make sure I locked it.. I am horrible with those things...

I swear, I can totally relate with you gals. I get so bad sometimes, I think there might be someone outside of my house. It scares me to death! I walk around with a little flashlight, checking everything so "if" there is someone outside, they won't be able to see me. OMIGOSH! Perhaps, I enjoy driving myself mad. Ahemmmmmm...
You're right though AR, some of this *will* indeed keep me safe to some extent. There are far too many single woman who fall prey to sicko's.
I just hate it when I lay in bed and my rib cage starts hurting and I start feeling tense and everything tightens up. Not alway's a full-blown PA but very painful nonetheless.

DEF. AGREE I AM ALWAYS LOOKING UNDER BEDS IN MY CLOSETS, I HATE WHEN MY BF GOES OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE I CAN'T SLEEP I THINK SOMEONE IS IN THE HOUSE I HATE IT!!!

A panic attack is a fight or flight response and I think what you're doing is trying to get ready for the "unknown attacker". When I lived alone I had that all the time... I'd think I'd see something outside my window in the dark, I had to have the t.v. on allllll the time, I'd lay in bed and hear every little noise in the house scared stiff. It's almost like I was displacing my fears onto something "out there" that didn't exist. By that I mean I didn't concentrate on my chest hurting or my breathing or thoughts of heart attack or cancer etc. cause I was too worried about that noise, or that shadow etc. Needless to say I didn't live alone for long... I got a dog which helped cause I knew if my dog was calm then nothing was going on and when she'd bark or perk up I knew someone was at the door etc. At least then I could relax when she was relaxed (which was 95% of the time). Then I got married and had kids and now I wish I could hear the little sounds in the house sometimes instead of my kids LOL. I don't think you are going crazy... consider getting another heart beat in the house like a cat or a dog... a calm dog!