Dear greenshade:
How about you going for a long walk outside, or otherwise getting into some intense physical activity, to release the panic, the tension, the distress, then take a shower, get comfortable and go to the computer and type that personal statement etc. Do so once you are relaxed and before the next panic, when you are able to imagine (for half an hour or so, just long enough to do the writing) that you are good enough and capable enough..?
anita