Amanda is a 24 year-old single woman. She grew up as an only child in an accommodated suburb. She recently graduated from college. She works now in a big marketing company and lives with a roommate in the city, where she moved a year ago to start her first job. Shortly after, she broke up with her boyfriend from college, so she can fully focus on her career.
Six months ago, Amanda's father had a heart attack. Amanda's mother called her at work to let her know. Amanda was under a lot of stress that day preparing for a presentation. While on the phone with her mother she felt numb about the whole situation. She was conflicted about leaving work early that day because she was afraid of disappointing her boss. She did leave early though and took a couple of days off to stay home with her parents. Her dad survived the heart attack, but still has not been able to go back to his normal level of activity.
Amanda had her first panic attack on Wednesday morning, the first week after his father's heart attack. She was on the elevator, going up to her floor. It was getting rather crowded. She first noticed it was hard to breathe. She felt some pressure on her chest and she could feel her heart pounding. Her hands and lips felt cold and sweaty. She believed she was going to die right there and that she was never going to be able to get out of the elevator. This caused her intense fear. Since then, Amanda has had another handful of devastating episodes like this. In each of them she has been convinced that she was dying. She has been to the ER on two occasions and has had EKG's, ultrasounds and stress tests done; but there is nothing wrong with her heart.
She has not told anybody about these episodes. She no longer takes elevators and since she had an attack in the bus a few days ago she is thinking about avoiding public transportation as well.