I really like that, "aftershocks after an earthquake". You hit the nail on the head. After a panic attack, the aftershocks go on for days.
Another point you have is that not forgetting them. That is my problem. I know they are bad but I forget how powerfull they are. That why when I get hit with one, I am floored by it.
Now I am documenting, for the first time, every thought, feeling etc that I can. When I am over this, I will go back and remind myself of the experience.
I have panic attacks and they are the worse thing ever I think.
I literally get to the point where I cannot breath in or out and I'm convinced Im going to nver breath again, I start to shake and when they start to go, anything from 5 mns to half an hr, I just cry.
Seroxate helped me tonnes but my Dr has taken them off me and boy am I suffering.
Thinking of you x
Our minds work different than "normal" people. We have to teach ourselves to put the panic attacks in the back of our minds and move on but never forget them. I tend to forget mine after a few months and then they start creeping back in. One week ago today I had the worst one I have had in my 16 years of panic attacks. I had several others after that, almost like aftershocks after a earthquake. Today, I feel one trying to creep up and I say stop it!!!
The only problem I see is if you completely forget how it felt to have one, it will end up biting you in the end.