I just wanted to stop by here to offer up some hope for people suffering.
Ive found on so many of these boards that they are sadly missing stories of people who HAVE GOT BETTER. I guess when the problem has retreated people forget and don't come back and post.

I began having panic attacks in 1995, whilst travelling in india. When i got back home after 3 months away, i had a complete breakdown. I was aseverely agrophobic, was so panicky all day long i couldnt hold a conversation or look someone in the eye. I was having wierd tingles everywhere, sense of disassociation, panic, dizziness, numbness, insomnia, twitches, delusional thinking, inability to breath. you name it i had it.
After a month of this i managed to get myself to a doctor, who gave me beta blockers ( he said it was adrenaline that was causing all my problems - he never mentioned panic attacks or anxiety). They did nothing, and i had another few weeks of hell. I went back to a different doc, who prescribed prozac, just a months worth. After 10 days ago i felt something lift from me, and i started to calm down and feel a little better.
That wasn't the end however. I'd had no real help, advice or support and i battled my problems alone for a few more months. I did start being able to leave the house in this time though still feeling horrendous. My social life was nil - i just scurried to the shops to get essentials wide eyed and freaked.
One day,in a charity shop, i came across a book by Claire Weekes, called 'Self help for your Nerves'. I bought it, and began to read. Only now for the first time did i understande what was happening to me, the process behind the 'circle' of panic attacks, and how to move on.
I'm rambling on here so i'll cut it a bit shorter! Over the next 4 years i continued to battle my anxiety, goign back on prozac a couple of times. You all know what its like im sure living with panic disorder. I thought i'd never get better!
Anyway. I DID get better. Completely. It was a long road for me, with ups and downs and relapses, but nowadays i feel great. I even run art workshops for schools and stand in front of a class of 30 kids and teach! never in a million years did i dream i could do that.
I just wanted people to know who are in the depths of it, that you can get over it completely. Its a different road for everyone, and what works for one might not for another, but you can do it.
One thing that helped me was that i realised my whole lifestyle didnt suit me. I was living in a busy city, very trendy, a bit pretentious, with a group of friends who i didnt really feel comfortable with. i think i was trying to be someone i was not. I moved to the country and live a much calmer life in a small friendly village, and unbelieveably (to me anyway) it suits me so much better than clubs, bars and trendy clothes shops. I know this cant be done for most people - a huge life change, but its worth taking a look at the bigger picture and whether the way you live your life is true to who you really are.
I hope others will also post their success stories here - its so important to know you won't always be suffering