jenkins panic disorder can be overcome. i developed panic disorder three years ago, and im only 23. i started going out with my boyfriend in 1994, and six years after this i became another person. at one point my boyfriend didnt know what else to do, so he bought me this book " The anxiety cure: an eight step program for getting well" the authors are: Robert L. DuPont, Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, and Caroline M. DuPont. another good book is "overcoming panic disorder: a woman's guide" by Lorna Weinstock and Eleanor gilman. Jenkins, overcoming panic disorder is possible. believe me, my panic attacks were a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worse. after reading these books, my panic attacks decresed and eventually disappeared. i started to read them in the summer of 2000 and my last panic attack happened on december of 2001. about two weeks ago they came back, but very mildly about 1 or 2 intensity, and it was only about 3 to 4 times, compared to daily before. trust yourself, follow the techniques that you will find in these books, and you will notice some improvemenet. if these books dont help you, try to get professioanl help. these books worked for me, and they usually work for most people at some level even if its not at such a high percentage like me. as far as your boyfriend, tell him to read these books with you, so he can learn about what you are going through, and how to help you. both of you need to be very patient, and trust each other. you have to believe in yourself, and he has to support you. my boyfriend of 7 years married me last year, and he went through panic disorder with me. sometimes there were days when he felt that he couldn' deal with it anymore, but he loved me and he always found the strength to help me and have patience. you have to explain to your boyfriend that panic disorder may go away or it may be part of you for the rest of your life. he has to understand this concept, and love all of you as you are. he needs to become educated about this disorder even if he is not involved 100%. remember that even if panic disorder doesn't go away it is completely manageable. at some point you will be able to function normally with proper treatment, and even it if doesn't go away it wont be a problem because you will know how to deal with it. you should see it as a chronic condition, maybe like diabetes you know. you have to check you sugar, and exercise and eat 6 meals a day. well with panic disorder you have to embrace it when the panic comes, understand that it is not going to make go crazy or stop breathing or whatever symptom you have is not going to hurt. that's why you if you havent been to the doctor, you have to make sure that your symptoms are not due to a medical condition. after you have the ok from your doctor, then you can trust your mind and yourself, and start the road to recovery. sorry if i gave more info than you needed, but believe i know panic disorder, and I just want to help anybody that needs support. if you have any questions feel free to ask me anything. god bless you. you will be ok!!!!