If these attacks are connected to events in your childhood then if you haven't already spoken to a priest who might help or recommend a Catholic therapist ... you might look into that ..

Also, I've read that there can be nutritional helps for panic attacks.  I don't any books or links to refer you to .. however, if you do an internet search under panic attacks / anxiety, stress disorders and health and nutrition you should be able to find some information that may be helpful.  

I've been learning about all kinds of imbalances in the body / brain that can be caused or made worse my nutritional deficits ... Also, when someone is under stress for long periods of time, it can lead to increases in cortisol and disrupt hormones and cause all kinds of problems.

Food is the most important medicine we ever consume.  I'd check into that first.

God Bless.

I've struggled with sudden, overwhelming attacks of anxiety and panic since childhood.  Every kind of doctor has been exhausted.  Medication is of minimal help--masks symptoms at best and has sedating side-effects.  They come and go in clusters, sometimes due to stressful situations, but not always.  I have no warning except for sometimes slight feelings of euphoria and extra energy for a week to a day beforehand. Once an attack strikes, I feel paralyzed, AS IF I can't move or breathe without something dreadful happening.  My WILL seems to be paralyzed.

That is normal for a panic attack. I have experienced them regularly and intensely before.

 I may have one such attack and no more for months.  Other times, I am unable to function for days, even weeks.  The priests I've asked have largely dismissed demonic influences.  I have not been "into" anything that would make this likely.  Any CI readers have these?  I am female, in my mid-50 s, single-in-the-world.  My health is otherwise good.

How is your diet?

Try making sure you are getting enough B vitamins, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients.

I recommend a good multi-vitamin and supplemental chia seed oil if you do not want to re-arrange your entire diet.

If they started in childhood........may I suggest counseling for childhood abuse that you may not remember?

I've struggled with sudden, overwhelming attacks of anxiety and panic since childhood.  Every kind of doctor has been exhausted.  Medication is of minimal help--masks symptoms at best and has sedating side-effects.  They come and go in clusters, sometimes due to stressful situations, but not always.  I have no warning except for sometimes slight feelings of euphoria and extra energy for a week to a day beforehand.  Once an attack strikes, I feel paralyzed, AS IF I can't move or breathe without something dreadful happening.  My WILL seems to be paralyzed.  I may have one such attack and no more for months.  Other times, I am unable to function for days, even weeks.  The priests I've asked have largely dismissed demonic influences.  I have not been "into" anything that would make this likely.  Any CI readers have these?  I am female, in my mid-50 s, single-in-the-world.  My health is otherwise good.

Find a MD, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant who practices nutritional medicine.  Anxiety disorders can be caused by magnesium or other nutritional deficiencies.  You need a nutritional analysis.  Conventional medicine cannot help you.  You need a specialist and please don't go to a well meaning but uneducated "healer."  The subtle problems are real but not understood.

Anxiety can be a symptom of repressed trauma but again, this manifests through the body.  If you have an inclination this may be the case therapy might help.

Demonic oppressions can cause anxiety symptoms that you describe.  You don't have to have a history of occult involvement or sinful behavior (although this is a common cause).  Demons are allowed to try souls are certain points in the spiritual life.  I'm not saying you have that, but it is a consideration.

No offense, but except for a few priests that I won't name here, the Society is awful when it comes to dealing with the demonic.  They are not taught to deal with it in the seminary.  Archbishop Lefebvre saw a great deal in Africa and specifically said he didn't want his priests involved in that type of ministry.  So, right or wrong, they do as little as possible in this area.

The FSSP and CMRI, depending on your orientation, are pretty good on this subject.  Once you get cleared medically you need to find a priest who understands how the preternatural works.

There are few exorcists in this country and even fewer who are any good.

Once I walked into a store, felt fine, but when I went to the checkout counter suddenly I became very self conscious.  My self talk happened so quickly from habit, I don't remember what it was, but I bet it went something like the following:  Gosh what does that person think of me, Oh no I'm scared, does she notice, will someone else see me "melting down," oh noooooooooo!!!!!!.  It sounds pretty silly and funny now, but at the time it was terrifying.  I felt like I was wrapped in cellophane.  It is very frustrating not being able to control this and it is very discouraging.  I'm sure people regularly contemplate committing ѕυιcιdє to escape chronic panic attacks.

On the other hand, looking back on that time, many years later, it seems as if the problem really was of my own making.  I can't say it was a medical problem, diet or nutrition.  I really seems to me like it was a matter of being a very self-centered person.  I think the proof of that is any time I start feeling self conscious, I just start focusing on what others are saying or doing (I like to focus on something I like about someone) and the feeling of self consciousness goes away.  

Aside from that, obviously this is about fear and that is ultimately resolved through prayer.  Also, discouragement is as well.  I do think you have to get real about how self-centered the whole thing is and how selfish that is.  We aren't called to focus on ourselves all the time;  we're supposed to be "dying to self."  

I used to get very bad panic attacks, but I don't anymore.  

I suffer from them tremendously. They started two years ago. The pain can be excruciating. Exercise seems to help, but I still get them. Sometimes the pains are in the chest, then the legs, then the arms. Can these consistent, recurring tortures have unhealthy effects on the operation of the human body? I have been to the doctor many times as well. EKGs, heart tests, blood tests, etc. I am overall healthy! But the doctore prescribed prozac. No thank you.

During the week my diet is pretty good: limited sugar and gluten and mostly protein. I eat all organic fruits and vegetables. I take Omega 3 supplement and eat olive oil everyday along with St. Johns Wort, a multi vitamin and an anti inflammatory supplement. I do have drinks on weekend evenings and a sugar bun or two after mass. Maybe more magnesium is what is needed?

I will include you in my St. Dymphna litany, OP.

Many thanks for the suggestions.  I'll look into the dietary matter and the Adrenal Fatigue.  I am under constant stress from conditions beyond my control.  So far as the medical doctors, I've run the gamut.  My metabolism was badly "messed up" while in hospital in 1998 and has never returned to its former state.  As for repressed memories of abuse, etc., that is highly unlikely.  I have clear memories dating back to age ten months, which I've learned is very unusual.  There are no "blanks" in my memory, as is often the case with abuse victims.  Two mental disorders run in my family line, schizophrenia and manic-depression.  I have every reason to believe mine is mainly a physical imbalance, not psychological or spiritual, although the psyche and spirit are affected.  God bless you all!   The OPer.

Keep in mind that "forgotten" abuse is actually suggested by the psychologist, rather than actually uncovered.