29 year old male that has dealt with anxiety and panic off and on for 3 years now. I am normally a happy, energetic person that loves to run and travel with my wonderful wife....
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I suffered my first panic attack three years ago and initially had a very rough time dealing with it. I had always been an active and happy person, I was a military officer that had done multiple deployments, involved in the Church, etc. During the first panic attack, I ran to the ER and found out everything was fine. Of course they kept coming everyday and it absolutely debilitated me. I went back to the Doc's over and over and had every test known to man. I became depressed and stayed in bed 20 hours a day which in fact gave me a clot, so I actually had something to worry about. Regardless, I was constantly worried about my heart and thought I was going to have a heart attack any day. Through counseling, medication, and a loving family I made it through this rough time and did not have a panic attack for years.
The anxiety returned in January 2008 and initially I had a hard time dealing with it again. But the knowledge I gained in the past really helped immensly the second time around. Through this forum and talk therapy, I believe that this experience has changed me for the better and made me much more patient and well rounded. I am back to traveling and enjoying life and have remained an active member here because we all share a common bond here and we all need a little support now and then!
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