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I started having panic attacks almost 2 years ago. They came out of nowhere for no apparent reason. Nothing in my life had changed, I was actually very happy with the way things were going in my life. I had a few before I found out what they were. After I started reading about panic attacks and kept seeing "There is no cure" they got really bad. I know for the most part I cause them because I'm so scared of having them. Stupid, I know! I stopped doing things that I loved and basically became really depressed and didn't really leave the house last year(which is not like me at all) In January of this year I decided that I wasn't going to do this to myself anymore. I was always a workaholic I guess you could say, so I went back to work(which is still really hard sometimes) I try to go out a lot. I'm not scared of going to public places or being around people. MY biggest issue is riding in a car with someone or driving with someone in my car(I can drive by myself perfectly fine) I'm not scared of getting in a wreck, I just don't like riding in cars with people in case I want to turn around and go back home or in case I get uncomfortable in a situation I can leave. Honestly, I wasn't scared of riding in a car until I had a panic attack riding in a car so I stopped doing it. I'm trying to push myself to do everything no matter how uncomfortable it is or how scared I am, and I do except for riding in a car. I'm getting some blood work done to make sure it's nothing medical. I have read about CBT and how it has helped a lot of people overcome panic disorder and phobias. I would love to know if anyone else has had success with CBT and anything else that has helped. I am very desperate at this point to get better so I can live a normal life again. Sorry for the long story! Thanks everyone for any comments you leave. God Bless!!!

If anyone has completly got over panic attacks(even if they just randomly went away on there own without changing anything) please let me know. That helps me feel like maybe I won't live like this forever!

My life was absolutely plagued by them for about 3 or 4 years. I was scared of everything, constantly felt sick, couldn't breathe, convinced that any bad thing that could happen would and I was about to die. But now I haven't had a real panic attack in the last 2 years. Even now I still plan an escape route from every room/event/situation etc because it still makes me feel better, but if I want to leave and have to wait, I'm okay now. A bit uncomfortable sure, but still okay. I promise you they don't last forever.
The turning point for me was a book I read, I can't remember the name now, but one line in the book said that as terrifying as panic attacks are they don't get worse. They're caused by adrenaline, and however the adrenaline affects you is how it will keep affecting you. Some might feel worse than others but the actual physical effects are the same. So if you haven't died from a panic attack yet, you're not going to. And after realising they gradually died down and went away. It's amazing that one sentence could end years of suffering!
I've never experienced CBT but I've studied a-level psychology for the last 2 years so I do know a bit about it. It works by addressing "faulty" thought patterns, which leads to a change in behaviour. In a very simplified way it's similar to what worked for me. Once my "faulty" thought pattern that I was going to die was changed into a non-faulty thought that while it may be unpleasant for a while, I'd survive, I stopped being so scared of having panic attacks which made them go away.

The main thing with panic attacks is the intense fear of having one. 9/10 of my panic attacks were caused by being scared that I would have one, rather than the actual situation I was in. Once that fear goes away the whole problem very quickly disappears. I know how much they can ruin your life and I've got to say I admire you for pushing yourself to do things. I couldn't when I was in the grips of it. You definitely have the right attitude. They won't disappear overnight but you will be free from them one day. Like I said I haven't experienced CBT but personally I think it does make a lot of sense and can't really make things worse.

Sorry if my experience doesn't help but I know for me it always made me feel a lot better to hear what other people with similar stories have had to say. It's nice to know you're not alone at least. :)
You will beat this eventually, if I can do it anybody can. :) Good luck!

My life was absolutely plagued by them for about 3 or 4 years. I was scared of everything, constantly felt sick, couldn't breathe, convinced that any bad thing that could happen would and I was about to die. But now I haven't had a real panic attack in the last 2 years. Even now I still plan an escape route from every room/event/situation etc because it still makes me feel better, but if I want to leave and have to wait, I'm okay now. A bit uncomfortable sure, but still okay. I promise you they don't last forever.
The turning point for me was a book I read, I can't remember the name now, but one line in the book said that as terrifying as panic attacks are they don't get worse. They're caused by adrenaline, and however the adrenaline affects you is how it will keep affecting you. Some might feel worse than others but the actual physical effects are the same. So if you haven't died from a panic attack yet, you're not going to. And after realising they gradually died down and went away. It's amazing that one sentence could end years of suffering!
I've never experienced CBT but I've studied a-level psychology for the last 2 years so I do know a bit about it. It works by addressing "faulty" thought patterns, which leads to a change in behaviour. In a very simplified way it's similar to what worked for me. Once my "faulty" thought pattern that I was going to die was changed into a non-faulty thought that while it may be unpleasant for a while, I'd survive, I stopped being so scared of having panic attacks which made them go away.

The main thing with panic attacks is the intense fear of having one. 9/10 of my panic attacks were caused by being scared that I would have one, rather than the actual situation I was in. Once that fear goes away the whole problem very quickly disappears. I know how much they can ruin your life and I've got to say I admire you for pushing yourself to do things. I couldn't when I was in the grips of it. You definitely have the right attitude. They won't disappear overnight but you will be free from them one day. Like I said I haven't experienced CBT but personally I think it does make a lot of sense and can't really make things worse.

Sorry if my experience doesn't help but I know for me it always made me feel a lot better to hear what other people with similar stories have had to say. It's nice to know you're not alone at least. :)
You will beat this eventually, if I can do it anybody can. :) Good luck!

Yes. There is hope and it does work. I was home bound for 3 years due to panic. I had CBT and some great support. I then went to college, got two degrees in five years and now work in medical and psychiatric social work. Who better than someone who truly understands?

The behavioral part you have started. That is facing what makes us afraid in spite of the fear. That works, but is not fun or easy. The cognitive part is about learning all kinds of things from the facts like panic attacks don't kill, they are time limited, they last longer if we fight them, etc. Also, I learned relaxation, breathing, and other helpful information. I am proof that it works, and I don't call anyone totally panic free, but I don't think about it any longer and I won! When the panic can't make us afraid, we win because it's over.

I had been in therapy and was doing better. The final push was a favorite aunt was dying of cancer. She went out and did all that she could every moment she had between naps and chemo and stuff. I thought, "you are afraid to live for fear of dying. She is dying is isn't afraid to live." It was the last push over the top of cognitive change for me. You can do this and you are not alone. There are about 2 million of us in the USA. Go and get better!!!! You'll win your life back.

Hi BlueH33:



As described in the first example above, the symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include

racing or pounding heartbeat (palpitations);


chest pains;


stomach upset;


dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea;


difficulty breathing, a sense of feeling smothered;


tingling or numbness in the hands;


hot flashes or chills;


trembling and shaking;


dreamlike sensations or perceptual distortions;


terror, a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it;


a need to escape;


nervousness about the possibility of losing control and doing something embarrassing;


fear of dying.


Actually panic disorder is not a disease...it is psychological problem!
And there is no certain treatment is for all sufferers because panic attack is so different from person to person!! Try some natural treatments before taking medications!

I think you can try some self-help tips to cure at first step... check below video

... hope it works for you.

http://www.anxiety-panic-treatment.com/stop-anxiety-panic-attacks/

Hey there, I've had panic attacks and anxiety for nearly 13 years and I have overcome them successfully.

I truly understand how you feel and what you are going through.
I've created a website to help victims to overcome their panic attacks or anxiety and live life again.
Check it out and hope it will help you:

http://www.curepanicattackstips.com

I found this article on CBT very good -
http://ezinearticles.com/?Panic-Attacks---A-Cure-Called-CBT-Anxiety-Treatment---Ever-Heard-of-It?&id=4836820 . it recommends a very helpful site at the end.

I've suffered from panic attacks and panic anxiety for many years now. They hit me out of the blue, pain across the chest, pounding heart, sweaty palms, feeling out of control, etc. I tried many things - some worked better than others. Have a look at http://www.myselect.info/ - I found it helpful, and have improved a lot since then.
Best of luck in the future!