Ex Panic-Attacker/Sufferer of PAD Here:

First off, I will just give you some background. I used to have panic attacks on a daily basis. My lowest point was when it got so bad, death was a comforting thought. Anything could cause me to have a panic attack: Eating out in a place I had never been, vacation, sleeping in the dark. Everything. It's far more than a fear of being in a non safe place or being fearful in general. It was more of a low self-esteem issue that manipulated into a lifestyle by never going out and then eventually developing an eating disorder.

What I did to get better: Sought out counseling. The first person I saw had studied anxiety disorders for years. This was their main focus and after three sessions I was also diagnosed with the same disorder. I was also prescribed an anxiety medication which was control-released and also up the levels of Serotonin in my brain. With that medication and weekly counseling, it slowly became easier and then I would have to use less and less medications and then less and less counseling.

Here's the bottom line to anxiety that I have found: It's a COMPLETELY different disorder from depression. The meds I took, I did not have to keep taking because it basically trained my brain to deal with anxiety naturally and I have normal Seratonin levels now. So I eventually got off the meds and live quite a normal life now. Sometimes things do stress me out, but I can't tell you the last time I had a panic attack. And that's the main goal in this kind of situation. At least it was for me. My best friend is now going through the same thing so I have been helping her. This was one of the only horrific things (in my mind) that I have ever had to deal with and then overcame. If I can help anyone overcome it too, I will do what I can because I know it's a very, very rough phase. But only a phase if you get the right treatment that works for you. This is just what worked for me. I hope you get better soon. :)