My story of panic disorder started to affect my way of life 3 years ago. I have been on the highs and lows of fighting it. My biggest low was being almost completely housebound for a little over a year. I am now on a slow climb up to a somewhat "normal" life.
Besides medication, I have adopted my own little tricks to get things done that I have got to do within a day. My number one way to cope is to talk to a friend on my mobile phone. They know my situation and are very helpful to talk me through the hardest points of my panic or even if I'm not and just to talk to me and keep my mind occupied.
Second is to remove my boundaries. When I started with the hardest part of panic, I immediately set up my boundaries within the area where I lived. I could only travel so far; for example: to the nearest convenience store, nearest grocery store, etc. I immediately set a limit to how far I could travel by myself in my car. So even though my biggest fear was to get out of this comfort zone, I moved. I moved to somewhere I couldn't immediately set up these boundaries. I didn't know the area well enough to do so. I had to drive to find certain places I had to go. It made me accomplish two goals -- I could travel a lot farther than by myself and it gave me confidence in myself. Every day is a struggle, but it is a struggle I am determined to win.
Everyone keep your head up. Each day brings you a clean slate to accomplish your goals no matter how small or how big you think they are. It's something you didn't accomplish the day before. Good luck to all fellow sufferers.