Dear Cerri, Glad you found this group - it will help you in many ways. I can relate to you in every aspect of your panic dilemma! I am a veteran of panic attacks. The people in my life when I began having them were absolutey the most unsupportive - just because it was 'freaky', they felt uncomfortable and did not want a wife, daughter or friend to 'act' that way. As if I was doing this whole thing for fun or could just turn it off at will. I have been in the E.R. a few times in the beginning when I was undiagnosed- very very frightening - I know how it feels to be out of control in front of people - not fun at all. If I was near you, I would give you a big hug and tell you everything was going to be o.k.-it will as soon as you find a doctor with a heart! I want you to say this affirmation to yourself daily, write it down or just copy and paste and print so you can remember to read it everyday: "I will not allow anyone to get in the way of my trying to control my panic situation - I will be the one to analyze how my head feels regarding medications - I will not allow anyone's reactions to my panic situation to belittle or embarrass me; I know their reaction is only due to misinformation, misunderstanding or total ignorance about my panic situation. I will empower myself with knowledge, I will research the strange phenomena of 'panic disorder' - I will win this battle and gain control!" Now, getting to the medicatin issue. The only med. that has ever ever helped me in Ativan. They do not like to give it these days because of addiction - and, Paxil is, the supposed miracle 'cure all' drug of the new Millenium. However, it made me feel worse. So, I just found a doctor that would work with me. I only take one anti anxiety medication, and it really does keep the 'beast' at bay. My panic attacks will never be cured, because I have an MVP in my heart (mitral valve prolapse, common in 'panic people' - do you know if you have one?). You own your panic disorder! If there is someone who gets in your way, does not even try to understand, push them aside, you don't need them! You need positive affirmations from compassionate people! The fact you found this site is a good sign! You want to get better & gain control Find a psychiatrist that will listen to

Hello. I'm new to this group, and just registered yesterday. Since February 1st I experienced the worst anxiety attack I've had in years. I have been unable to go to work because of it, as the anxiety in question has to do with work. The anxiety attack in question had forced me to go to the emergency room of the hospital. They gave me lorazepam (ativan) to try to settle the anxiety attack, but did not prescribe it to me. I had asked my doctor earlier (January 29) if I can increase the dosage of the paxil (I'm on 20 mg currently) but he said that paxil only helps with depression and not with an anxiety disorder, and therefore refused to increase the dosage. The doctor though, wrote a note indicating that I need a two week leave of absence and suggested it was best if I resign. My husband and I agree with him, but my parents do not. My mother is extremely unsupportive, and has indicated that she does not want me on paxil at all, and has stated bluntly that there is nothing wrong with me, and my father asked me to try going to work for a week, even though the employer has moved out of an area where public transit is unavailable. I do not have a driver's licence, just a G1 (learner's) permit, and I cannot drive at night. Now, every time they call and I talk to them I "zone" out or go into a mini anxiety attack on the spot, and have to hand the phone to my husband. The anxiety attacks tend to come out as fear and anger at the same time. The word I feel like is "cornered", and the behaviour that follows is the same as my semi-feral, semi-domesticated black cat when caught in a corner. I have a friend who has been incredibly supportive but she is located an hour and a half from me. In the meantime, what should I do to cope with this current situation? Thanks, Cerridwyn.