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Q. Hi! Just about one year ago, I had my first "panic attack". I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up going to the emergency room where the doctor there told me I had a pinched nerve. However, the so-called "pinched nerve" didn't go away, so I went to a family doctor who told me I had the symptoms of a panic disorder.

After I found that out, everything seemed to get better--temporarily. Ever since then, it seems as though I'm riding on a roller-coaster of emotions and thoughts. One minute I'm my happy, fun self. The next minute I'm depressed, scared, confused, worried...and the list goes on. If one little thing changes in my body, if I get an unusual ache or pain, or if all of a sudden I get butterflies in my stomach, I automatically think I have something horribly wrong with me and am going to die. Then sometimes I just think I'm going insane which scares me into believing within ten years I'll be spending the rest of my life in a "looney bin", which may not be too long considering I constantly believe I'm dying.

Anyway, to my point, these emotions and thoughts are becoming too tiring and overwhelming. I find myself crying more than when I was three years old. I feel as though my life is over at such a young age of 19. I just don't know what to do about it. My doctor has given my medicine for my anxiety, but I'm afraid to take it because I don't want to have to rely on medicine. More so, I'm afraid I'll have some sort of bad reaction to it. I turn to my boyfriend when I need comforting, but I'm afraid eventually he'll get tired of it and run. I'm just tired and want help.

A. From your email, and although we can't diagnose, it does sound as if you have 'text book' panic disorder! You are not going to die from your panic attacks or from your anxiety. Nor are you going to go insane. There is no doubt it, does feel like it, but it never happens! The Anxiety disorders are a discrete 'Disorder' group. They do not crossover into the major mental illness groups such as Schizophrenia or Bipolar. It is a bit like having a broken arm, you don't go onto develop a broken leg because of it! And so, those of us with an anxiety disorder do not go onto to develop a mental illness.

We can refer you onto a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. This is the most effective therapy in the long term. This is how we and many others have recovered. You can too!!! Can you advise us of the name of the Country/State/City/Town you live in and we will send you a referral.

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