Just wanted to share my story. I’m so happy because i already see lots of improvement!!

I have been suffering from bad panic attacks for years now. They happen when i have a big fight with my partner. I feel powerless and locked up, and this feeling is so strong it drives me towards a panic attack where i hyperventilate, shake, get really dizzy and sometimes pass out.

Since a while i’m seeing a therapist, mainly because i had my second (unexpected) surgery on cancer in my spinal canal with some complications i have to deal with. But during the therapy the subject of my panic attacks came up.

With help from my therapist i realized that my panic attacks are a result of unprocessed trauma. My first panic attack ever was when my ex was physically and mentally abusing me and he locked me up after beating me up and yelling and manipulating me. I have always been ashamed for this abuse, so i haven’t told many people.

Since i realized where my panic comes from, i am able to deal with this much better than before. I told my partner about it and he was very supportive. I had been keeping the complete truth for him for a long time, but i told him. This puts everything more in perspective for him, too.

Last week we had a big fight where i felt powerless and locked up, and i felt the panic rushing into my body and mind. I quickly realized that this was happening and told myself ‘this is not the same situation. I am not locked up, no one is going to hurt me now. I am free.’ By telling myself this, i was able to calm down a lot. I’m so happy with this improvement and very hopeful that my panic attacks will disappear for good!

Tl:dr: have been suffering from panic attacks for years, finally found the cause and now working through this. Seeing improvement so quickly and i’m very happy about it!