Thanks for the reply! I had a lot of problems with going to school and attendence issues too. I hope to return to college someday though. Since my last post, I've started seeing a therapist and have done some researh on my own. There really is no way to just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and just 'get better'. We can get better with treatment though. Something else to consider is that we don't have to feel guilty or weird for having this disorder (or these disorders, as in my case). We probably wouldn't feel guilty if we had a broken leg or the flu, right? This is an illness. And as far as work or school or generally federal law is considered, it's also a legitimate disability. Please check out the link below. We don't have to live feeling ashamed or hiding from our fears anymore. I'm working towards my goal and want to share my recovery with others too. This is the book I'm using with my therapist: Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic (MAP-3): Client Workbook for Agoraphobia by Michelle G. Craske And this is a link to our rights as people with a genuine but treatable mental illness (panic disorder, social phobia, and depression do count). Explore around a bit: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/soar/psych.html

Hi GamerGrl, I know how you feel about being somewhere and you're afraid of going back. I had the same problem, but I was in High School, not even in the work field. I missed so much school due to my attacks and they kicked me out! I just couldn't deal with being in a classroom, I felt trapped and would feel just awful, so I did what I did best. Leave! It got me nowhere, and here I am still, 4 yr's later and still not being able to work, or go somewhere that's further away from home. I've missed out on a lot and hope no one else does. All I can offer for advice, is to try to stick it out especially if you're worried about getting fired. If you can't stick it out, just try doing your best to let yourself know that it's an attack and you'll get through it, since you always do. Also let yourself know that, "hey, self, you don't want to be down this road the rest of your life, right? RIGHT! So get in there and pull your self out of this rut and do what you gotta do!" I hope this helps! Melody :)

GamerGirlAki, You have come to the right place! Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find many supportive tests. These tests are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement or substitute for a physicians advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When youre finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor. We also have developed a Panic Program. This program is 12-weeks and involves the tools mentioned above. Each session is based on the previous session, so we strongly advise that you work slowly through the program and not jump ahead. If you have any questions or concerns with our "TOOLS" you can contact our support department at support@paniccenter.net. Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Melanie ___________________________ The Panic Center Support Team

Hi everyone, I'm new to this support group, though this is my second time trying the 12 week program. It was working for me before - I just lost my momentum (got a really bad cold and didn't come back to this after I got better). Hopefully by taking part in this support group I can stick with it this time. I'm home from work today - at least for part of the day. I'm having a 'flare up' of anxiety symptoms / panic and I'm afraid of losing my job. I've been missing about 2 days of work a week for the past 2 weeks... this is week 3... I've explained my situation to my boss, his higher up, and a friend of mine at work. My boss tells me to: do what i need to do, I can leave at anytime, and that i'm not in danger of losing my job yet (it's that YET that gets me...), but I'm still worried about it and still feel awful when I leave work or don't go in at all. I am a video game tester and an aspiring video game designer / writer - this is a great opportunity for me. I think my 'logic' is making me worse: "I have no reason TO feel anxiety / panic here! Low stress job, understanding coworkers... What's wrong with me?!" I'm very scared of panicking at work, having other coworkers see, and feeling those intensely uncomfortable feelings... and though it's been at least a few months since a really strong 'knock me off my feet' panic attack (and many years since my worst panic attack to date), I'm still scared. I've experiencing much smaller panic attacks as I've been using coping techniques including breathing excersizes, positive thinking and when my anxiety reaches level 4 or so - temporary retreat. I'm just feeling so unwilling, depressed and exhausted after 8 hours a day of nearly constant exposure therapy. It seems like the better I do one day, the harder it is the next day because I raise my expectations. That's why I'm back here again. I'm also seeking a doctor (psychiatrist or psychologist) for the first time since 1998. I'm in NJ btw, if anyone can recommend someone. I know that choosing not to go into work is avoidance and only makes my problem worse... but if I go and have a very difficult time coping then THAT can make my problem worse too. Does anyone have any advice on how to choose? I want to make the best choices for myself,

Butch, Welcome to The Panic Center. We thank you for sharing your story with us today. This support group is full of supportive individuals who may be able to help you answer some questions regarding panic and anxiety. Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find many supportive tests. These tests are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement or substitute for a physicians advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When youre finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor. We also have developed a Panic Program. This program is 12-weeks and involves the tools mentioned above. Each session is based on the previous session, so we strongly advise that you work slowly through the program and not jump ahead. If you have any questions or concerns with our "TOOLS" you can contact our support department at support@paniccenter.net. Josie ______________________________ The Panic Center Support Team.

Brendie, I am new to this group and I have been placed on Xanax (1 mg once a day) and had questions about its effectiveness. I've only been on it for two weeks so I'm not sure if its working. However, reading your post it does appear to work somewhat. My anxiety (driving on the highway) appears to be minor compared to some of the other postings I'm reading but I am hoping to benefit from the experiences and lessons discussed by others on the site.

I cant believe you are a flight attendant....with panic that must be really hard....i actually worked for an airline for 6 years and loved flying all over the world but since panic I totally changed careers......when I go relapse I have a very hard time flying ......hopefully you will go into remission soon.. sorry to hear about your job being terminated....i actually think that once you have been on disability greater than 90 days, they dont have to hold the job for you but not sure.....try to see if you can get them on discrimination but not sure.... good luck

I wish you all the luck in the world. I got a federal express letter in the mail yesterday and my work terminated my employment even though I am on disability. I have been out for 5 months so, I guess what do I expect. Never the less I was shocked and depressed and crying and all of the above but on the bright side. I don't have to go back there again. IT was not a good working environment and also I have obtained an attorney. We will see what happens but I don't think its right they terminated me cause of my panic disorder. If I broke my leg.. they wouldn't of done it so this to me is a form of discrimination.

That's Hilarious! I'm actually a FLIGHT ATTENDANT and am suffering from Panic Disorder, so to hear Micheal's response on if he was say oh I don't know a "flight attendant" he could never go back! :confuse: So thanks for understanding that in my line of work it is very high stress and I hope that I can knock this out so that I can continue because sadly I do miss it! Cross your fingers for me all!

Thanks Sam I am going to call our human resources department today and ask them what the recovery time is for someone coming back off of disability. I wish they would give me an easier job to do but they have been holding my position open for 4 months. I feel honored by that but there is so much pressure there and come one... I can barely leave the house. Thanks for all your support !!!!!!