Hi my name is Debbie and I'm new here.

I've been racking my brain trying to figure these attacks out. I've
done a little research on the net that said it was connected to some
little organ (or gland I don't quite remember) in the brain that
controls fight/flight responce. Somehow this organ's switch gets left
in the on position causeing the attacks.

I'll give a little history I feel may have contributed to my attacks:
I was molested as a child, and am also a survivor of 5 years of
domestic violence from my x-husband.

Like I've said I've been trying to evaluate the circumstances that
seem to create them. I feel that it is definately related to the
molestation (although this only happened once by a stranger).I felt
trapped when this happened to me. If I get into situations that
remind me consciously or maybe subconsciously of not being able
to "flee" if I needed to thats when I get an attack.

This is really restricting and bothers me so much. Especially now
that my son has decided to become and actor and is now into
performing in theater plays. At the last showing of his play I
suffered an anxiety attack for the entire first half of the play. No
one knew and I told myself I was going to fight through it and it
wasn't going to get the better of me. I did pretty well although it
left me with stomach pains and my chest hurt badly after. I really
feel it was a breakthough because I useally remove myself immediately
from the stimuli I feel is causing it. I kept telling myself it was
ok and nothing bad is going to happen. This lasted for a full half
hour. Even after suffering the actual physical pain from rideing it
through I felt like I won the battle that time and I guess you could
say I was proud of myself. I felt that was enough for one day and
after intermission, for the second half of the play I sat towards the
outside by a door and was perfectly fine, without a care.

I talk to my mother about it, thats about it. She trys to be
supportive but doesn't completely understand. Heck I can't completely
understand so I can't expect anyone else to. I don't talk to my
husband (not the abuser) about it. So I guess you could say I do feel
ashamed that this is happening and alone.

For those of you who understand these attacks a little more than I do
you think they are somehow linked to past tramatic experiences? Or
have you been told it's a malfunctioning organ (gland) in the brain?

I hope that wasn't too terribly long. I would appreciate any helpful
input :0)

Debbie