Hi Narlah,
Thanks for sharing, that is a pretty scary thing you experienced. You may find it comforting that many, many people experience panic attacks. I have experienced them, and had not done so for years until I did again this September. It was so odd, feeling the panic come on just like before. However, when you learn what panic actually is, you can actually laugh at it (I know it feels like no joke at all, but it is nothing to be afraid of).
Often times, the fear of panic, of having an attack, is exactly what CAUSES it. There is often nothing else. We create a situation in our mind, our mind mistakes it for reality, and it sends signals to our bodies to react a certain, physical way, and WHAM - panic attack.
If we can cut it off at the root, at the thought level, and then be mindful of the physical response, panic will become something we gain full control over. It will become something we keep on a leash, we control.
Our breathing is immensely powerful as an agent to control panic response. The breath is something we can control, which can be a manual transmission we can use to control our bodies function, instead of letting the auto-pilot go haywire! Stick with your psychologist, learn their coping methods, explore the physiology of panic, and you will get through this. I know you will.
Good luck to you.
Steve
