I get panic attacks at night, usually associated with difficulty breathing from say bronchitis.

While the cause is different than yours, I understand the feeling of wanting almost jump out of your skin. Unfortunately, our brains have made this association in a way that to our conscious mind makes no sense, and it really sucks. Id rather have physical pain than a panic attack.

Two thought that might help:

1) Steve Martin suffers panic attacks, and he describes them as being like leg cramps. You feel it coming on, and you think, "Oh F%^K!!", but you know its not going to do damage, and you RIDE IT OUT.

2) When an attack comes on, I DISTRACT myself. Its usually at 3-4am and Im exhausted, but I know if I lie back down it will come back, so.... I get up and read, ususally, the internet. Take your smartphone with you on the bus and READ IT! If you dont have one, get one. If youre like me, it will get you out of that feedback loop.

If that doesnt help, find the distraction that does. Dont give up. ANd as has been said above, keep at it to break up the strength of the pattern - it wont be easy or fun (any more than breaking scar tissue), but you will get there.

And do take Omega-3s. SAMe helps too.

Good Luck!