Helja
13-11-09, 19:47
I had my first panic attack when I was fifteen, although I remember having feelings which I now recognise as the onset of an attack before this time. I am now 43 and haven't yet managed to rid myself of this beast. In the intervening years I have also had periods of OCD but with help through CBT do manage to control this. The panic attacks have never left though although I do have good times and bad. I am having a particularly bad time though at present which is why I have turned to this site in the hopes that I might not feel so alone. For the last six years my panic attacks have centred around swallowing whereas previously it was breathing. I am so frightened at the minute - every time I eat I think that I am going to choke and die. I am quite a strong person and have a very good job, so only my close family and one or two extremely close friends know the extent and duration of my problem but I just feel on the edge of a precipice at the moment. If I go over this time, I don't think I have the strength to get myself back again, I am so tired of all this.