I wasn't scared of it as a kid. Then at the end of 7th grade, when I was 12, I had my first panic attack at school. I would feel n*, and like I couldn't breathe. The first few times the not being able to breathe was the worst, but then I think my brain started to make a connection between n* and panic. Throughout 8th grade I was having attacks almost daily. I carried a small plastic bag around with me - it got so bad that the nurse said she needed "proof" if I v*ed before she would consider calling home. My aunt lived with us, and it was her job to see us off to school in the morning. I was terrified to leave the house, but she would just yell at me and call me a liar every day. Eventually I'd have them at night, too. She would kick me out of the bathroom at least 2-3 times a week. I didn't know what was wrong - I thought I was going crazy or dying. She was mean and my mom kind of lives in denial of anything negative (lol), so no one took me to a doctor or anything. I wouldn't ever spend the night out. I hated going to school. I hated going to sleep. I felt trapped in class, on the bus, anywhere without a bathroom. I skipped the senior ski trip because of it! It wasn't until 10th grade when a sub put on some stupid video about panic attacks that I matched up my symptoms and realized what was going on. I worked hard for years trying to work through them. Eventually I finally had another aunt recommend Tranxene to me, and I'm so grateful! Now it's waned back to me only being scared about myself getting sick.