Hi, i'm a 19 (almost 20 year old) who was diagnosed with panic
disorder when i was 14. all of the stories that everyone here are
telling sound so familiar to mine. the only difference is that i'm
90% over it. I've been where all of you have been and i just want to
let you guys know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. i
was out of school for my whole sophmore year of hs bc of panic
disorder. they told me i was a danger to myself and other people.
people didn't believe that what i was going thru was real. i lost
friends, made my parents mad, but most of all, i got fed up with life
and stopped believing in myself.
i am now in my 2nd year of college and am proud to say that i think
i've gone thru the worst of it. no more trips to the emergency room,
no more full blown attacks. i'm still on medication and i see a
social worker, but most of all i believe in myself and know that i am
strong enuff to get thru this. when you're having an attack, talk to
yourself if you need to. tell yourself to calm down if it makes you
feel better. different things work for different people, but no one
has ever died from a panic attack (eventho it feels like u will).
it may be hard for all of you right now, but just remember that it
does get better. i still get mini attacks so i know what its like,
but dont lose hope. surround yourself with positive people and
believe in yourself and it will get better.