In many situations we get caught up in a string of automatic thoughts that run like a CD playing the same old song over and over. Often the thoughts have little to do with reality.

During a panic attack people may have thoughts like “I’m dying” “I can’t take this”.

In addition to a Xanax (then Valium) prescription, I got counseling for my complete inability to get on an elevator — not out of fear of accident, but out of fear of getting stuck. This makes traveling difficult (both at hotels and at multi-level transit centers), but knowing what a phobia is helped. A therapist told me we actually fear getting a panic attack, but that panic attacks can never actually kill us — the body can only sustain them for so long before it loses momentum. He talked about how some people find it useful to look at a watch, knowing that after a limited span of time — a couple minutes, say — our bodies HAVE to back off.

I don’t know that I’ve had a full-on panic attack, but I’ve come REALLY close. At that point, it was helpful to learn they are often viewed as genetic, and that both my mother and grandmother have grappled with them. Somehow, knowledge is power — it at least explained what I was going through, and made me more vigilante.

I haven’t traveled as much as you have, but found that the talisman of Valium, along with understanding that this DOES happen and there IS a reason for it, and that people like yourself also go through it (solidarity!) is more helpful than I can say.

I use “sympathetic nervous system” breathing exercises to help, but I may be trying hypnotherapy in the near future. Thank you!

My defining moment was when the realization that my “symptoms” would magically disappear whenever I arrived at my safe zone — HOME! Uh huh, if it was a heart attack, it wouldn’t matter WHERE I was, right??

I joined up with a research group at Texas University and we used exposure therapy. This was over 7 years ago, and I haven’t had one since! The key is facing your fears. What we tend to do (and your fear of November) is you associate a bad experience and then avoid it. This causes anticipatory anxiety. Your body’s rapid heartbeat, sweats, shakes is a natural reaction to a misjudgment on “fear”… even though a wild lion isn’t ready to pounce you, your body is reacting as if it’s happening. All NORMAL stuff and won’t kill us!

Anyway, I’m writing a book about my recovery. I’ve flown to Vegas since my recovery and now we’re headed for Egypt. This was unheard of back then — Flying, leaving my home, etc.

Also, be easy on yourself. When I say I’m “cured” that doesn’t mean I don’t get an adrenaline rush, or a wave of fear. Fear is a normal reaction to a perceived danger. The difference between THAT and a panic attack is that you are reacting to the SYMPTOMS of your body. You’re thinking you’re going to die, pass out, you want to scream, or run away.

It’s okay if your heart races.

Another area that has helped me also is my faith in God. He is always with me and bottom line, when it’s my time to go, I know it’s not by accident. I have that eternal peace that words can’t explain. I’m safe and God’s arm is not too short that He can’t help me WHERE EVER I am.

I’m just thankful today for getting my life back, for God, and living my life to the fullest!

Now that I know my triggers I tend to either prepare myself mentally for the situation alternatively avoid them which is not the best way to deal with things.

Unfortunately I do not live in San Fran to track down Marilyn I am however going to search for a similar solution in Cape Town.