SolitonWave

I don't think anyone "reasons" their way through the first major attack. For most of us I suppose this is where we become aware of having an panic disorder. My story is so typical, but it came upon me in 2001 sitting at my computer (in a very relaxed state). My friend and I had started a weekend business I was going over some customer demographics. I had a sort of tingling sensation on the left parietal side of my skull that lasted maybe 10 seconds. I somehow got convinced that I was having a stroke. Thinking back now, I still can't comprehend the fear that I felt. The most life threating situation I'd ever been in before was on board a small dual engine prop plane going from St. Louis to Champaign for my Air Force tech school back 89. The plane made a nearly 90 degree decent toward ground due to weather, it was very touch and go. Anyway, that fear was a walk in the park next to the first panic episode.

I stongly agree with the realization concept, to recognize what is happening to you in advance. Don't feed the beast that you are creating. You have to understand that this is not going last and "ride the wave" and keep your thoughts grounded (and very simple!) and rational. I tend to get very cogitive (want to jump it a problem solving mode) to fight these attacks, it ends up putting more stress on me and it sends the attack forward ironically. I also firmly believe in visualization, I see myself in a while light and nothing else can exist in this space. White seems to be the universal color for most folks, I guess it could be the spectral flatness (one color has no tendency to come out above the rest), similar to homoepathic therapy with white noise.