Anxiety and Excessive Shame

Hi, I have been suffering from panic attacks for 2.5 years and was diagnosed with generalized anxiety and panic disorder.  After some time going through different kinds of treatment (from therapy to medication and more) with my psychiatrist, I finally landed on the right medications last summer...however, my panic attacks still come and go.  I'm told that this is something I should expect, that there is no huge "cure-all" for the condition, but one of the most common feelings I get when I am experiencing a panic attack is an intense amount of shame.  I am so ashamed of how I am feeling or what I am experiencing that I lock into a trance of apologies if I am around people, or isolate for days afterward, even if I am not around others when the panic hits.  I know there is no real reason or cause for it and it isn't trauma related, but is this a common symptom for anxiety patients?  It is becoming very debilitating because even when I do not have panic attacks for months at a time, I feel like I carry a lot of shame with me rather than fear of having another attack, and it's lead to some compulsions (afraid to invite people into my home, overwhelmed by small amounts of work, etc.).  Is this something I can "talk myself down" from, or should I be asking my psychiatrist to take another look at my meds?  I'm afraid to go and see her/ask her about it because I feel like I was just starting to take control of my condition and I don't want to have to go through another ugly transition period.

Thanks for your help in advance,
Mystic

[mammo]

I would definitely go back to your doctor or find a new one.  I know we all respond differently to these types of medications, but there should be one that will also stop your panic attacks.  I suffered with panic attacks, but they were controlled with medication, and I never felt shame, just fear. But we all experience some differences in our panic attacks.  I don't feel like this doctor is doing you a lot of good if he can't help your anxiety and panic attacks.  Normally once the anxiety if fully under control, the panic attacks don't happen.  I hate to see someone suffering like this when I know it can be better for you.  You don't have to live like this.  You can try to talk your way down from a panic attack but it's difficult.  What is happening is your brain is sending out the "fight or flight" signal to your body at the wrong time, and floods your body with adrenaline.  Since you are not in a "fight or flight" situation, the adrenaline has nothing to work on, and a panic attack iresults from having all this adrenaline pumping thru your body, with nothing to do.  So, with this in mind when you start to get a panic attack, get busy doing something physical, walking, anything.  Also, occupy your mind, the busier you are the more the adrenaline has to work on.  Keep telling yourself "this is a normal response, coming at the wrong time."  Make sure you are breathing deeply and slowly as in a panic attack our breathing becomes shallow and this ads to the dizziness, and being light headed. I'm sure there are other option medically for you and I would investigate them.  I wish you all the best and hope you can get some answers and relief.  Take care.