I have been experiencing panic attacks (racing heart rate, blood rushing to my ears, becoming incognicent of my surroundings due to fear clouding my environment, plugging my ears and holding my breath) all of my life, ever since i can remember. I am adopted from birth (1967) and was born in Harlem General Hospital as an infant. I was born premature due to a young girl who gave birth to me and was apparently an addict. I have never experimented with any drugs of any kind including alchohol. Ever since I could remember I have exprienced this nervous condition of fear and panic. (my heart basically races, blood rushes to my ears, sometimes I plug my ears to control the situation which makes it worse. I am 48 years old female, just turned in September. I have recently since a few emotionally traumatic events occured have been feeling very paniced! (triggered by the death of my mom and only living relative on this earth in 2008, close to all of my inheritance to unscrupulous individuals, one I have sued, the other i wrote off their debt because I thought I was helping them in fact i was enabling them; the other just recently within the last year, i am in the process of suing them, the other i have waited so long for a return on my investment and realize this person too has used me inspite of contractual agreement.) they are all male and plutonic professional relationships, not romantic at all. I have never romanticized these business negotiations. Would you please assist me in my trauma and how to help me over come. Also, when i am in a moving vehicle I have the same panic attacks as well. I am a performing artist and recently after a buullying event from a black man I started having stage freight and have great paralyszing fears when performing in front of a live audience. I can t even get on a moving escalator that goes down without freaking out. Please help.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. By your history and description, you are mostly having psychological illness. Possibility of stress, anxiety, depression issue more in your case. So better to consult psychiatrist and get done counselling sessions. Try to identify stressor in your life and start working on its solution. You may need anxiolytic and anti-depressant Chat Doctor.  Don't worry, you will be alright with counselling and 