Hey Jen!
I know exactly how you feel! It is so hard having to deal with this every single day and have people around you act like you should "just get over it." My husband is a wonderful man but sometimes he says things like, "you're doing this to yourself" and "just think positive things." I know he is saying these things with good intentions, but they so don't help! It just makes me feel worse because then I think, well, if it's that easy for other people then there must be something wrong with me! If your sister has an attitude about you having to break down once in awhile, then let her. But, don't let her attitude about it bother you! Noone can truly understand this unless they've been through it themselves. Remember, the only person you can control is yourself. What I mean by that is that you absolutely cannot control what other people's reactions will be in any situation. So try to let it go and don't feel in any way responsible or guilty for someone having that kind of reaction to your emotions. I used to let everyone get to me. It got to the point to where if someone was upset about something, it was always my fault and I would get so anxious and feel so guilty. But, I have learned that if someone gets upset, then let them be upset. You've got to take care of yourself first. Do not feel guilty or less than!
I printed out info about panic attacks and sat down with my husband and our boys and said "Look, this is what I am going through and sometimes I may seem a little insane but I want you to know it's not because of you, it's because I'm having a hard time with this. I know it's hard to understand why I can't just get over this but I am trying. All I ask is that you be supportive when I need you and if you can't understand then please just pretend to." Having this talk with them really seemed to help. They have stopped trying to make things better and have become more aware of the fact that sometimes I just need to have someone there. Not always, but a lot more than before. Maybe having a similar talk with your sister would help her understand?
Hang in there and keep trying! I know we can all do this if we all keep trying! Believe it or not, every time you have a panic attack and you get through it, you are a little bit stronger t