Esther says until 2014, her life was amazing. She says she was a high school athlete, became a successful esthetician, and lived fearlessly. Then, seven years ago, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, had surgery, and had to learn how to do everything again – from walking and talking to taking a shower.
 
Esther says she recovered from surgery and gained her life back, but in 2021, her life changed again. “I was having extreme pain in my brain and also down my back. Then, my eyes dilated. All the lights were really bright, and they stretched out,” Esther says. Shortly after, Esther says she collapsed and went to the hospital, where she was prescribed Ativan.
 

“This is when my panic attacks became unbearable, and I’d start hyperventilating, and I couldn’t stop myself," Esther says. “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t leave the house. It got so bad that I just couldn’t eat anymore. The pain was excruciating.”
 
Esther says her panic attacks were so “life-changing” that her dad had to quit his job and move into her studio apartment to take care of her. Hear what happened in the video above.
 
On Friday’s episode of Dr. Phil, "'Pretty Panicked: Are My Parents My Triggers?'," hear why Dr. Phil says the family situation is dysfunctional and what they all need to do to help Esther. Check local listings to see where you can watch.

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