My PATM started about 3 years ago, I can remember the exact day that I first became aware of it and it was a happy, normal day at work.
A little about me: I was then a young, unmarried, female medical doctor, and I like to say, with no problem in this world. So, no psychological, emotional or financial stress beyond the usual.
Post PATM; Within the first 6 months, I became a shadow of myself. I read every article, every research, every theory, every...I washed my apartment with bleach, was convinced it was a bug, I went on strong antibiotics, antiviral, antifungals, even anti worms, ran a number of tests, shared my situation with a few doctor friends who didn't believe me.
I would enter an hospital room with very sick people and many would break out coughing vigorously, I feared I was going to kill someone, and I started having panic attacks, severe anxiety. I had every PATM symptom known to man, both the believable and unbelievable once. It was an ordeal.
The cure; About 8 months later, I summoned the courage to see specialists on ear, nose and throat who found nothing significant but they called in a psychiatrist who suggested placing me on antipsychotics. I refused and took a month work leave.
During this leave, a traveled to see old friends to relax, then I did some self reflection, and decided to never mention my PATM again and pretend as if nothing is wrong, and take my life back. When I go on dates, I screened them on how much they react to me. I pushed my PATM to the back of my mind, stopped all medications and never discussed it.
PATM now; It's not gone, it's with me everyday, I have some degree of social phobia and I don't go out unless necessary, and I think it snipped off some of my sense of pride and self esteem. But beyond that, I'm happy, I am married and expecting my second child, (I was scared I would hurt my baby too), but she is fine. I have less friends not because of PATM, but because I became more introverted.
Happiness is a choice!