Don't know Who else To ask

[wisp]

papa_leaf,
You have described your experience for what it is, as I see it too, anyway. Anxiety>Panic can cause various symptoms and physical reactions. Grounding, such as meditation or other relaxing techniques may have a benefit. Realization episodes do happen,and can become overwhelming. I think control is what is important.
I have had a life long anxiety issue. Control that, and you will prevent future panic. It can be so extreme to send you out of your body. I hope this helps you some. []

Getting plenty of rest and not letting thoughts get out of proportion helps too.

[shaman]

Yes, your nerves can send you in the astral.

However, the way you write your story sounds like you asked what' is the meaning of life, and were afraid of death. And then you actually got an answer: "here look, this is how death is like, just you pop out of your body, you see, nothing special, nothing  to worry about, it does not hurt, it is nice, etc.." As if yourself, or your guide, or an angel, or God (since you said "my God!") came to answer you desperate call for life.

I had a similar experience once as I went to sleep, I felt vibrations and golden light and I  just pop out, up above my body. I could see myself below me. At the same moment it was like in a dream and I was saying to myself "I am dying", "this is how it  feels when you die". So It was kind of an answer to the question "what is  death" and that we are all afraid of it.

I hope this helps.

[Blackstream]

I had a panic attack once, a truely unforgettable experience, and I have no idea how it happened.  All I knew is that I woke up and suddenly I was freaking out about not being able break or affect this small handsize black rock pyramid (I know it's weird, but hey, I was freaking out about it all the same).

The annoying part is that the panic attack lasted for about 30 minutes.  Unfortunately, God didn't give me any OBEs for my trouble:)  It didn't go away either till I started praying.

I still wonder to this day what brought it on and how I could be reduced to a cowering crazed lunatic like that.