(On the scale from 1 to 10, 1 represents very mild panic and 10 represents the most severe)

I've been having these mini..insta-attacks lately.

Usually an attack starts around a 3 and I have maybe 3-5minutes to settle myself before it hits 6 or 7 and I need an Ativan to keep it away from 8, 9, and 10. They usually build 'slowly', then level off around a 4-5, until I suddenly realize it's over (sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes 2 hours later)

Lately though, it's 1 to 10 in 15 seconds, and then back down to a 2 or 3 just as quickly! I can't even comprehend it, it's that fast. I mean it nearly, literally, knocks me only ass. I start to sweat, and spin, and by the time I've barely squeezed the cold cloth over the sink and slapped in behind my neck, it's gone.

Gone, but not all gone. It doesn't last as long initially, but the aftermath is the exact same as a drawn-out, full-blown attack. I mean, it wouldn't even register at 2 minutes, yet my heart is still exhausted, I'm still scared to close my eyes, and muscles just jitter...like they're left to idle and keep warm while the panic just ran into the store for a pack of smokes after filling up it's tank.

My body is exhausted, but too terrified, and on-edge to let go and relax. Because that can't be it, can it?