Hi Tammy,
Please don't hate yourself and don't think you're a freak. You're not. The fact is, there are so many people just like you. I understand how you feel. I sometimes wonder why I can't just be "normal" and live a decent life. Instead, my life is consumed w/ worry about EVERYTHING!!! Not only about having a panic attack, but about everything from the bird flu to having a brain tumor to my daughter getting sick. Like you, driving is a problem for me. I can drive locally but when I have to get on a highway I freak out. I understand that you don't have health insurance. I just recenlty got insurance and it stinks w/o it. I don't know how you feel about meds, but Paxil has worked wonders for me in the past. I got off of it about 2 yrs. ago b/c I didn't have insurance and the prescription was so expensive. But if you go to your doctor and tell him you don't have insurance, often times they will give you samples. That's how I got by for about 3 years. Just a suggestion...I know you'd have to pay for the office visit but it may be worth it, and it probably wouldn't be too expensive. My doc actually reduced my bill b/c I didn't have insurance.
Tammy, I understand how you feel. I wish to God I didn't suffer from this disorder. It takes over your life. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We CAN overcome this, with time, patience and persistence. Stay hopefull!!
Kristyn
