[MCake]

Checkmate, I can relate to your post - panic disorder w/agoraphobia is a truly horrible condition. In my early 20s, along with depression, I suffered from daily (multiple) panic attacks that left me housebound (bedridden, actually).. The good news is, it's a highly treatable condition My own PD has been in remission for several years now (in fact, I regard it as being cured, and hardly ever think about it).

Certain meds did help me (keep in mind that both Valium and Kalma/alprazolam are benzos). Alcohol, however, did not - in my case, it turned into an addiction, a problem in its own right. I'm not saying your situation is necessarily the same, but maybe you could reconsider drinking, even if it's light and occasional... alcohol tends to make anxiety much worse in the long run.

Anyway, CBT was what ultimately helped me the most I was very leery at first, but it worked wonders, within a few sessions my panic attacks just stopped. CBT usually involves homework and exercises... The beauty of CBT is that you learn techniques that, in theory, should enable you to remain panic-free indefinitely - it certainly worked for me, it's been approx. 7 years now and counting.

Good luck Keep us posted! Please feel free to PM me if you need to talk.