About 3 and 1/2 years ago I started suffering from panic attacks in the middle of the night, vomiting from stress, not being able to sleep at all, not being able to enjoy anything in life, and fear at all times. I could hardly leave the house, and I could hardly stay in it. IT was absolutely the most horrible experience of my life. Everything I read on the net was from people that said medication hadn't helped them and that they were still trapped in this after years and years.

For two years I tried to deal with it alone. Finally, after losing my career, my mind, and nearly losing my family, I reached out for help. I talked with some people at a church who felt like I had something wrong that could be fixed with medication. I went to see a psychiatrist. I was so scared to try it, scared it wouldn't work, but I did.

I was put on Zoloft and Xanax, and started to attend a 12 step group. I found some people who were honest about their abilities to cope with life just like me. I started all over and put out an ad to be a piano teacher. Nearly 4 years later, I'm still working as a piano teacher and I enjoy it. I still take Zoloft and Xanax (about .5 to 1.5 mg a day). Life has improved a thousandfold. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you are experiencing anxiety and panic, it is a serious thing. Find help, reach out, there are people that will help you and you can find peace of mind and get your life back. There is definitely hope. If you have a similar positive experience, share. I know it would have helped me to hear something like this back when I first started experiencing it.