I have personally experienced the extreme challenges one may face living with Panic Disorder. I was
hostage to sometimes-daily panic attacks and lived with this disorder for 20 years before being
diagnosed. It took an additional 10 years until I was fortunate enough to find a team of people that
helped me achieve mental wellness.
treatment protocol was tranquilizers but I was never given an explanation about what I had or what
could have caused it or, more importantly, what could help me.
what was going on or if something was wrong with me mentally, I didn’t talk to anyone about my
episodes. I would go to the restroom or to my car and wait out the panic episode, head back to
work and try to get through the day. At times it was just to terrifying and I just had to go home.
After spending days on the telephone trying to find help, I finally found a doctor who thought he may
know what was going on. During the office visit, I heard the words for the first time - You have Panic
Disorder. I was prescribed medication but was not given any referrals for support groups, mental
health organizations or ways to cope with the Panic Disorder. Although the medication helped
greatly at first, while not always critical, the panic attacks continued.
After much trial and error, I became extremely frustrated about not getting the results I expected and
still having panic attacks, I dealt with it on my own, in my own way for many years. I read books
and took some classes in relaxation techniques, which I used when I had a panic attack hoping
these techniques would help to, at least, minimize the symptoms of feeling like I was dying or going
crazy.
In June 2002, I started working with three female practitioners who used different techniques. I felt
better so quickly and this began my personal journal of recovery. Hypnotherapy was the key to
stopping the panic attacks and then came the challenging part of my work… changing my
perception and behavior from someone with Panic Disorder to someone who could achieve and
maintain recovery and staying on a path of mental wellness.
My practitioners or my "team", as I refer to them, believe that there are many factors and facets as
to why one person develops panic or anxiety disorder and another doesn’t... even in people who
come from similar backgrounds or from dysfunctional families. I now believe this as well. Since
panic or anxiety disorder can be a multi-faceted disorder, a multi-faceted approach to achieving
recovery makes perfect sense.
My life challenges and journey to recovery has helped me realize it was more than just being panic
and anxiety free. I really worked on recreating myself as a non-panicked, non-anxious person. I
truly believe that finding the right therapist, techniques and treatments can help many others achieve
recovery and mental wellness.
I feel that I have accomplished my goal of being panic-free and I embrace the benefits of living without
the constant worries that can accompany panic disorder. I'm a completely different and happier
person than I was before my recovery. I really like the person I am today and want to offer hope to
those living with panic or anxiety disorder believe that recovery and mental wellness is achievable.
Karen won 2nd place in the 2008 Victorious Woman Essay Contest. Her story was
chosen from entries sent in from all over the country. In August 2008, she was
honored as the Victorious Woman of the Month and her story appears on the
Victorious Woman Website at Victorious Woman
If you are having a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest
emergency room or urgent care facility.
This web site is not intended to replace professional medical or mental health
treatment. I recommend that ALL of those experiencing an anxiety condition seek
professional help as soon as possible. There are excellent treatments available
and many provide lasting results. This web site is an anxiety and panic disorder
support resource that contains information written by a non-medical/mental health
professional who personally experienced anxiety and panic disorder.
Karen Muranko's Story |
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Wow, I climbed Cathedral Mountain in Sedona, Arizona in
September 2005. Quite an accomplishment!
September 2005. Quite an accomplishment!
Here's my little Chloe who found her way to me
in December 2006 skinny and sickly. As you
can see by her photo, she has done well after
her operation and is now living the good life at
Casa Muranko.
in December 2006 skinny and sickly. As you
can see by her photo, she has done well after
her operation and is now living the good life at
Casa Muranko.