CosmicRose,

I thought it might be helpful if you had a better understanding of what defines PTSD. Sorry, I can't help myself - I'm a former high school teacher.

Definition of POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

: a psychological reaction that occurs after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) outside the range of normal human experience and that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event.

Medical Definition of PANIC ATTACK: an episode of intense fear or apprehension that is of sudden onset and may occur for no apparent reason or as a reaction to an identifiable triggering stimulus (as a stressful event); specifically : one that is accompanied by usually four or more bodily or cognitive symptoms (as heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or feelings of unreality) and that typically peaks within 10 minutes of onset.

Episode: an event or a short period of time that is important or unusual
:an occurrence of an illness

panic: a state or feeling of extreme fear that makes someone unable to act or think normally
: a situation that causes many people to become afraid and to rush to do something
:a sudden overpowering fright; also : acute extreme anxiety

I hope this is helpful for you. I have always struggled with 'what it all means' to suffer from PTSD and have a lot of difficulty finding the right words to explain it to others.

WW