Heh, you're not "hijacking" at all--it puts things in perspective to read about what others are going through. As for me, though it may not be much, I think it's incredibly brave to try and wean yourself off your meds--just remember to do it little by little by little. I hope you're 110% successful with that, Maven, so good luck!!

But your comment about "panic attacks vs. extreme anxiety" rings true to me in the sense that what you described as an attack isn't anywhere NEAR as bad as what I feel. Sure, they're horrible to me when I'm experiencing them, but my feelings lean more towards a blind, white-hot terror/overwhelming pain, not feeling doomed.

Can there be varying degrees of a panic attacks, or could I just be experiencing bursts of severe anxiety? I want to make sure I'm not mistaking one for the other.

Thanks much, both of you.