I have had a panic disorder/anxiety my whole life basically. It just never had a name until I was about 22 and I actually sought help. I spent a lifetime afraid, ashamed, embarrassed, hidden and withdrawn, and with very few friends. Once I embraced it... well, poor word, accepted or made peace with it I guess...i was no longer living in constant fear. Fear of being judged, fear of panicking, fear of freaking out irrationally over nothing, or as I call it 'falling into the rabbit hole'. You know it's irrational... You. Just. Can't. Help. It. It consumes you on a level most can't imagine. A panic attack feels like living in hell and trying to claw your way out. Since I was always scared of tiny teeny things in the most irrational of ways, but could still comprehend that it was irrational... I always felt silly for it and kept it to myself. Now, having hyperventilated and passed out while panicking countless times, even though it is MUCH better managed now as an accepting and understanding adult, it has wreaked it's havoc already. I did what I needed to manage this many faced devil once I educated myself and knew what it was, but it wasn't until it had seemingly already done enough damage. A few months ago, I started having seizures. People need to embrace mental illness education and awareness. I'm not 'Crazy' no I'm not 'tweaking'.... I have a panic disorder and that means my fight or flight mechanism in brain doesn't work properly. It makes NO difference in WHO I am. People are not their illnesses. I just hope there is more understanding and compassion in the future in this area.
Here's a helpful link related to anxiety and panic attacks....