Do You Have Panic Attacks and Anxiety? Do You Feel You could Jump out of your Skin?

My first experience with Panic attacks happened after the birth of my second child. After consuming several cups of coffee, while on a date with my husband, I had a full blown panic attack. I had no clue what had hit me and I had never heard of a panic attack ... I was terrified.

One minute we were sitting in a restraunt relaxing and conversing ... the next minute, out of the blue I was hit with a horrifying sense of dread and fear. I had no clue what was happening ... I just jumped up and told my husband we had to go NOW! As we headed for the car I felt my heart wildly racing and I was certain that it would stop beating... I soon would be dead. Then another sensation hit me ... I felt my blood draining right out of my body ... I grew very weak and terrified .... I had NEVER experienced such fear in my entire life. The worse thing was that I could not turn it off ... I could not rationalize it away ... it just took over and controlled me. Talk about a scare of a lifetime....

That night was the first of many nights the uninvited terrorist would show up. I would walk the floors filled with the worst kind of dread, fear and tension you can imagine. Thankfully, though my world was crumbling around me, my family slept peacefully in their beds. My world became a frightening place ... there was no place to run ... no place to hide.

Unfortunately no one knew except my husband. I did not want to see a physician because I was sure he'd lock me up and throw away the key. I was haunted by the threat of their appearance. I never knew when they would come. These new sensations would would hit without warning and take me away mind, body and emotions . I had NO control.

Years later I learned that there are many, many reasons and there are also triggers that can set you into a panic attack. For me it was a combination of two things. A major hormonal change (weaning off breast-feeding) and a reaction to caffeine.

It took a program on television (revealing the connection between major hormonal changes and panic attacks) and the Mayo Clinic to uncover the cause for my panic attacks and anxiety. The Physician from Mayo Clinic diagnosed me with PMS but classified it as an endrocine dysfunction which my insurance accepted and also payed for . Natural progesterone is formulated from natural Yams and Soybeans. IT WORKED and I got my life back.

There are other causes and triggers for panic attacks such as ... repressed trauma's i.e. child abuse, abandonment issues, broken relationships and more.

Although most of my anxiety was gone with the natural hormone replacement therapy , I needed to learn how to manage the leftover anxiety that still hung around. I received some very helpful resources during that time that taught me how to be in control when those dreaded feelings threatened to undo me. There are two sources I'd like to encourage you to look into.

The first is called Panic Away, a program that can help you learn to get control over your anxiety and panic attacks.

The second is put out by the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety . The center produces a tape or DVD series called "Attacking Anxiety & Depression." It is a self help, self awareness program for Stress, Anxiety and Depression.

Both programs will give you back the control you lost when anxiety and panic came knocking at your door. I have included the website and information for both programs below. Don't wait - Life is too precious to waste.