That sounds brutal. I guess we're talking full-on panic attacks at this point. I would have liked to find out more about the mechanism behind these attacks. You hint at it being work-related, even though the attacks didn't happen there. Was there a gradual build-up of anxiety at a subliminal level which then erupted when it was "safe" to do so? Were you able to become aware of this process so as to defuse the energy before it reached those levels.
Either way, that was a worthwhile read, props to you for being able to turn it into something positive for you and those around you. Wishing you all the best in the future as well.