Anxiety & Panic

When I was a kid, I struggled a lot with anxiety. Coupled with that was fairly severe OCD, and I was actually pulled out of school at one point because I simply couldn't cope with the outside world. But I was very blessed to grow out of my anxiety, for the most part--that happened during my high school years. I struggled a lot with depression in college, but that too has passed, and it has been a relief to function as a somewhat normal human being.

Unfortunately, the anxiety has just started up again. I went out of the country for the first time over Christmas break, and traveling was very stressful for me. There was also an incident where the truck I was in slid on the ice and drove into the median, so that was quite a scare. Upon my return to Florida, I have been very anxious.

I have had two panic attacks in the past week, one quite severe. I woke up about an hour after I'd fallen asleep, not knowing where I was. Then I looked around and couldn't figure out whether I was in my apartment, my parents' house, Canada, or some other place. I felt strange, spacey, and began to shake and sweat. I called my parents and stayed on the phone with them for nearly an hour--until my xanax (which I had procured for the flight to Canada, thankful) kicked in.

But even in general, there is this nervousness and worry about me now. I am undergoing a lot of stress, but I freak out over small things, like if I call someone and they don't pick up. I begin to fear that everyone has disappeared and that I'm the only one left in the world--I can't describe the feeling. I am starting to go on walks, drink water, and eat more healthily, but are there any other things that you could suggest?

What exactly evoked this? Just the travel? Will it wear off soon? Is there something I can do to help it along, besides sunlight, water, healthy eating, etc? I just live in fear of these attacks--while I am having them, it is like my mind is a prison, or I will die or something. I would also encourage you to not post horror stories of your own attacks, because I think that reading those might make me worry more. I do want you to say if you've ever struggled with this, I'd just rather not hear about the worst-case scenario where you were swimming, had a panic attack, and drowned. You know.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I do see a therapist (though not regularly anymore)--not to mention that my dad is a psychologist and has been a very big help during this time. But sometimes I just want to talk to normal--or maybe abnormal--people and get their point of view on things. Especially if they've been through similar stuff. It's nice to know you're not alone, and to perhaps get advice from someone who has struggled likewise.

Edit: Also, the fact that there even exists an advice column on a gaming forum should justify my throwing this out there... It couldn't hurt.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Well, the therapist has admittedly mostly been in conjunction with the depression, I suppose.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.