You Are Not Alone – Panic Attacks

There are so many uplifting and inspiring stories of hope from people who have used Recovery International's self-help tools and support groups to change their lives. These stories inspire and show that there are answers to and ways of changing your quality of life for the better.

Recovery Has Given Me 35 Years of Stability
I sat in the back pew near the door during church services for two years so that I would be prepared to bolt whenever my panic became unbearable. Though I never ran out of church, I did run out of other places, and when I began to get help, the medicine didn’t work.

Because of my panic, I suffered through weddings parties, trips to the grocery store, walks around the block with my children and bathing my baby. I had four kids and my husband traveled for a living so I had to function. When we moved to south Florida, my panic attacks went with me.

I found a wonderful psychiatrist who spent much time working with me. I was eventually hospitalized and had electroshock treatments. Healing was a slow, gradual process. At one point, one of our ministers told me about Recovery International and since I wasn’t able to drive, my husband drove me to a meeting. I joined that night in 1968 and have attended meetings ever since.

Recovery International has given me stability for 35 years. I have had setbacks, but when I read one of Dr. Low’s books, I realize my setbacks are average, that everyday life is full of irritations, disappointments and frustrations and that feelings are not fact. Recovery International provided what I need for my mental health.

Recovery Gave Me Back My Life
My illness started right out of the blue. I suddenly felt light-headed and experienced palpitations, head pressure, fatigue and depression, all of which frightened me. One day when I went shopping, panic overcame me at the checkout counter. Leaving my items in the basket, I ran from the store. Eventually, I feared both going out in public and staying home. My doctor said it was nerves, but I didn’t believe my terror was simply a nervous condition.

On most days, I just lay on the sofa, hoping to die. I always had excuses for not attending social functions. However, if I did attend, I searched the room to see who might be a good wife for my husband and a good mother for my children.

Sometime later, my doctor told me about Recovery International; however, because panic might set in, I feared attending self-help groups. Also, I was afraid of the people who would be there because I had a phobia of germs. After three months, I mustered the courage to attend my first Recovery International meeting and it provided instant relief. Other people had symptoms like mine, so I no longer felt alone. Following six weeks of Recovery International training, I was able to drive, shop at the supermarket, function as a wife and mother, do other things average people do—not merely exist. For that I am deeply grateful. Recovery International has helped me to live again.

I Owe My Life to Recovery
I’ve suffered from panic attacks, and all the terrifying sensations that come from them. Dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, sweats, feelings of unreality and fear were part of my everyday existence. Physicians said there was nothing wrong with me, but my psychiatrist and psychologist were convinced I had anxiety. After months of therapy, I asked my doctor if any specific self-help groups might help. He said, “There’s a group called Recovery International, but I don’t know if it’s for you.”

It took me six months to attend a meeting, but I’ll never forget the hope I gained from that first encounter. My recovery didn’t happen overnight, though. My first step was to work on physical symptoms. I told myself repeatedly during the next few months, “My sensations are distressing but not dangerous.” And the more I practiced Recovery International techniques, the less frequent and intense my symptoms became.

I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be today without Recovery International. I am well now and I have more confidence than ever. I owe my LIFE to Recovery.

I Will Fully Recover
After seven years of suffering, I found Recovery through a friend. I had consulted three psychiatrists and ten psychologists and had two hospitalizations. I had also taken practically every medication available but still suffered panic attacks. I was out of control, thought I was going crazy and was not getting well.

When I found Recovery International, I learned that I kept these symptoms by fighting them and working them up. In Recovery International, I also discovered that panic attacks are not dangerous. It’s alright to have them, but I could change my thoughts and command my muscles to counteract them at any time. I also realized I had been sick a long time and that my bad habits wouldn’t disappear overnight. It would take much effort, and I would still have to experience symptoms while working to regain my mental health.

It’s been four years since I found Recovery International. I have since been working, gotten married and have traveled. I still have occasional symptoms, but I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Recovery International taught me to be easy on myself, to have patience and to know that I will fully recover.