I suffered panic disorder with daily panic attacks for over 20 years. I thought I had heart disease and took many heart meds with very negative results. My doctor tried Prozac and it proved very effective and gave me my life back. There have been no side effects that I am aware of other than a very healthy appetite. I am so very thankful for Prozac. Before taking Prozac, I reached a stage where I could not function at all. Agoraphobia kept me from driving and I dreaded any situation where I was in public. I now take a generic form of Prozac with the same good results.

I have panic disorder and I have been in long-term therapy. I also take medicines for my case. Support of a loved one is necessary and help from a psychiatrist is also necessary. Support groups also help. I had to adopt the attitude that I will not accept this, and now I am now able to lead a normal life.

I have had panic attacks for the past 4 years. About a year ago they stopped and they came back about a month ago. I almost lost my job because of them. I hate having panic attacks and I get so mad at myself for letting them happen but I can't control them. My son is 3 and he watches me have them and I'm scared that he will grow up and have them. I'm supposed to be seeing a therapist in about a week so I really hope that it helps me.

I suffered from panic attacks for more than five years but I have not had one now for more than three years. Why they came and why they left are a mystery. I did go through cognitive behavioral therapy to learn to interrupt the cycle and that did help me manage the attacks. If you have them, have hope. They can go away completely like they did for me.

My partner gets panic attacks, and when I get close enough to him I apply pressure to the centre of the nape of his neck (near the base of his skull). I don't know if it's a nerve or just his own sensitive spot, but it helps him a little as he tries to get his breathing under control.

I started having panic attacks about 30 years ago in my 20's. I believe they are from the child abuse and domestic violence I experienced. I have had long periods of time (years) without any panic attacks. When I have a major life experience happen in my life, the panic attacks return. The treatments that have helped me are years and years of talk therapy, journaling, medication when necessary, learning ways to make my body relax, and calming down.

I had my first panic attack about 2 1/2 years ago. I was at my office working late and I felt like I was having a stroke. I could not breathe; I was very shaky and had numbness in my arm and face. I was so frightened I drove myself to the nearest hospital and then called my husband. My blood pressure was higher than normal so they ran a lot of tests and drew blood, but everything came back normal. This particular attack lasted a couple of hours with a roller coaster of severe to not-so-severe episodes. I continued to have attacks, primarily at work and took anti-anxiety medications for these. Last July I had another very severe attack and did not think I would make it home. My husband talked me through the drive home and when I arrived I tried to relax, but nothing worked, including the anti-anxiety meds. My family took me to the hospital and everything tested fine. Since July the attacks are more frequent; probably two to three a week. Many come while I am driving at night. However, some come when I am relaxed and watching a "feel good" movie. They just hit me. Last night my husband just sat with me until a got quiet again. I worry about becoming addicted to anti-anxiety drugs, but I can't seem to do it on my own. If I am at our farm with my horses, I can go to the barn and spend time with them and that helps, but that is not my daily reality. I have a stressful job and possibly just allow things to build. To me they are very frightening and I think each day I may die from one. I just want some sort of release from the fear and to get control of my life again. I am a positive person and am never sick. I have no idea why this is happening.

I have suffered panic attacks since 1986 and have never been able to find the cause of them. I checked with all family members and not one member has ever suffered from them. My attacks began late at night whilst in bed reading. I suddenly felt I could not breathe. This episode was followed by a pins and needles sensation all over my body and including my face, and I also felt numbness to the tongue. This caused me to fear for my life and I did not know what to do. My husband tried to calm me down, which took almost thirty minutes. After almost 2 years of different treatment I was both physically and mentally exhausted to the point I would have welcomed death as I felt I could not go on like this, then one night while visiting my sister I suffered a real bad attack and she sent for a doctor. This was a turning point and after attending therapy for almost 2 years and on long term medication, my attacks where brought under control.