My Panic Attack Story – A First Experience

When I had my first panic attack, I was about 25 years old and for many years the symptoms continued without warning on different days. One of the first that I remember now as being a panic attack, was when shopping in the mall with some friends.  All I remember is feeling overwhelmed, and then feelings of fear and anxiety slowly began to creep into my conscious mind.

I did not know what was going on at first, just thought maybe it was something I had for lunch or anxiety from the pressures of other things happening in my life.Then the feelings of fear and anxiety became stronger. My hands started to sweat and I could feel a tightness in my chest, and then I started to feel shortness of breath. The panic attack symptoms made me want to take over the body’s natural breathing cycle and control it on my own, because I was afraid that my body was no longer able to do it right.

All this time a bunch of random thoughts were running through my mind. “What in the world is going on, am I losing my mind?” I felt the need to run out of the room and get away from everyone, but I was so afraid of anyone noticing what was happening and I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I felt increasingly subconscious that someone would notice my uncomfortable situation.

Then, even worse thoughts started running through my mind. “What if I’m having a heart attack? “ 

It seemed the more I thought about what was going on, the greater my fear became. The panic attack symptoms grew even stronger.

All I wanted was for whatever was happening to stop, but it was like my body and its emotions were taking over, and I was out of control.
 
At this point I began to feel out of touch with reality. It was like I was looking at the world through an entirely different view.  I finally decided to try walking away from my friends to see if I could find somewhere to sit down and get things under control.

I started to walk away, and my friends tried calling my name, but all I could do is keep walking, feeling completely embarassed and like the whole store was watching me.   I just wanted to get away as fast as possible and be alone.
 
I later realized what I was experiencing was a panic attack, or the beginning of my personal struggle with anxiety disorder. I went to a doctor for treatment, but the only thing the doctor did was prescribe medication and the panic attacks continued to torment my life.
 
It was horrifying, and always when one panic attack was over, all I had left was one recurring thought, “When will I have to suffer through another panic attack? When will it strike again?"

It was only when I found the Panic Away treatment program, and discovered a technique called the One Move that I was finally able to overcome my problems with panic attacks.
 
What’s amazing about this program, to me, was that after reading it, I actually hoped to go through another panic attack, because it instilled enough confidence that they would no longer have any effect over me.

Looking back on it, I realize now that  I had all the resources within me to cure my panic attacks, I just needed someone to guide me in the right direction. I’m writing this in hope that at least one other person can be cured from their panic attacks, and no longer live their life trapped in fear.

Sincerely,

Marie O'Hara

Are You Experiencing the Extreme Feelings of Fear and Anxiety from Panic Attacks? You Are Not Alone. Read How Other People Have Learned To Cope With Panic Disorder In Their Lives....PanicAway.com