Yes, I’ve had Panic and Anxiety Disorder since 1984 and went nearly ten years without being treated. During this time I gradually withdrew further and further from a life outside of home and work to where I finally could not drive, could not leave the house without my wife coming with me, and felt both fearful of life in general as well as suicidal.
Shortening a very long story, I eventually found a doctor who knew what was wrong with me, prescribed proper treatment, sent me to a clinic that specialized in this for group therapy, and I very quickly recovered. I read intensively too, and highly recommend the books of the late Dr. Claire Weekes. For years after my initial recovery I went into many, many setbacks and often felt like I was starting all over again.
Today I am perfectly fine. I take a daily medication for depression and anxiety, and know that when the old symptoms arise, which they do from time to time, I need not respond with alarm but with total acceptance. The feelings of panic, caused by adrenaline, CO2 imbalance in the blood, and shallow breathing (which creates the latter) are always limited in duration. They will pass unless I create more of them with my own fear.
Any further questions I will be happy to respond to.
