| About six years ago I fell victim to a crippling disorder | | | | bed and stayed there for hours at a time. |
| known as the panic attack. Unless you have | | | | It took almost a year and a little alcohol to go out and |
| experienced a panic attack, you can not imagine the | | | | seek help. By this time, my savings were just about |
| fear and terror it will inflict on you. Sometimes it comes | | | | gone. So I had to apply for public assistance, who |
| from anxiety and builds into panic. Other times it | | | | assigned me to a mental health facility as an out |
| appears out of the blue. Either way, you think that you | | | | patient. This is when someone actually put a label on |
| will surely die. | | | | this crippling condition. I quickly got an education on |
| In my case, I had finally landed the job that took me | | | | anxiety, depression and panic attacks. |
| two years to get. The job that I wanted to retire from | | | | After about two years or so of therapy and |
| in twenty five to thirty years. Due to an overload of | | | | medication that had some nasty side effects, I thought |
| stress at home and trying to learn the ins and outs of | | | | I could do it on my own. I was doing ok without the |
| a new job, the anxiety started to build. It took a little | | | | meds, just an occasional small attack here and there. I |
| over a year, then it happened, my first serious panic | | | | went out job hunting. It's hard to find a job, especially |
| attack. | | | | when they want to know why you left your last job. |
| I woke up one day so stricken with fear that I could | | | | After a while the stress and anxiety started o come |
| not move. I could not get out of bed. I didn't even call | | | | back. So I continued my education on panic attacks |
| off work. One panic attack after another. For two or | | | | and found some facts that were very insightful. |
| three days I thought the next one would kill me. At this | | | | 1. Panic attacks can not kill you! |
| point, I was looking forward to death. Needless to say, I | | | | 2. Panic attacks thrive on fear. If you take away the |
| lost my dream job. After a few weeks I was able to | | | | fear, they have nothing to cling to. |
| somewhat function around the house. I came to terms | | | | 3. It is possible to make them go away forever without |
| with the fact that this illness or whatever you call it is | | | | medication. Although pills may work better for some |
| changing my life for ever. | | | | people. |
| I was afraid to leave the house. Every time I tried to | | | | Whatever your choice. If you or someone you care |
| take a walk somewhere I would have a panic attack. | | | | about suffers from panic attacks, do something! Stop |
| My heart would beat rapidly like it was going to pound | | | | the pain and suffering. Get your life back. Do it now! I |
| right through my chest. My breathing got very shallow, I | | | | decided to try a method that makes sense to me. By |
| broke out in a cold sweat. I got light headed and a | | | | learning to manage anxiety and recognising the panic |
| tingling sensation in my hands. I would turn around and | | | | attack for what it is. Just fear, and that's all it is. |
| head home as fast as I could. Once I got home, I got in | | | | |