Yeah, I've got words of encouragement. I am a 60 year old (almost, anyway) man who used to have the anxiety and panic from age 5 until my late 40's, and now I am fully recovered. Haven't had it, don't expect it back ever again. So, it CAN be done.
Oh, and that forgetfulness and job thing? Yeah, I had that.
But here's something about yourself you may not know: You write clearly and carefully and well. If you can get yourself to therapy -DO it.
OK, where do we go from here?
It sounds like fear has taken over your life. Have you ever thought that you have difficulties focusing or doing "simple jobs" that you might bored?
I have a lot of difficulties remembering things too so I contacted the Alzheimer's Society but the bad memory is stress related.
You seem like an articulate person. Therapy might be helpful and it couldn't hurt.
Einstein used to forget everything that wasn't relevant to his work = )
wolf
Have you tried talking to a psychiatrist or any therapy about this? It's never too late. It's all about the way you think. And my psychiatrist helped me change the way I think. Help is out there. I know you will be just fine. =) Hang in there. Welcome to the club.
-Chris-