hi Abe
I've suffered panic and anxiety before. I know that feeling. I've gone to the hospital a number of times for it myself. The key to keep in mind is that you aren't actually at risk of dying. It just gives you that sense, it's one of the symptoms of such attacks.
While i suppose there is a small change it will never happen again, my understanding is that it is something that tends to stick with you. You can get them under control. It doesn't have to be something you experience often, but you will have an increased risk of it. A few tips to help..
If it happens again, and any other time it may happen, pay close attention to the physical feelings you're experiencing and how they are making you feel. Being aware of the symptoms and how they feel and present themselves is one of the first steps in learning to fight anxiety. Because once you familiarize yourself with how you will feel you can use that knowledge to keep yourself from getting into full blown attacks. This is what i have had to learn to do. Recognize the feelings and reassure myself that it's anxiety and not really something physically wrong with me. I haven't had a full blown panic attack in years, though i've had plenty of reason to.
Anxiety usually is a sign there is something going on that you aren't dealing with. Simply not being the 'type' to worry doesn't make you immune to stress and anxiety. So you need to figure out what's going on in your life that can make you uncomfortable and anxious. Whether it's from your past or something going on now.
Learn how to cope and manage anxiety and stress before it gets out of control.
There are natural supplements you can take. Gaba and Kava Kava are two that are good for anxiety. You should be able to find them at a health food store or possibly a vitamin store. But if the anxiety gets worse you can always try the medication option. Keep in mind going on medication should go hand in hand with counseling to get to the root of the problem. Medication is not the solution, it's a help until you find a solution. I, and a good friend, both have overcome anxiety attacks without drugs. But each person and situation is different.
Anxiety tends to attack you out of nowhere the first time. My friend had her first attack while driving her kids around. She had to pull the car over and get out. She wasn't thinking of anything stressful, but something in her body just couldn't contain the anxiety anymore and that's the time and place it happened to show itself.
Hope this helps some.
