Hello ErikaMay, Welcome to the forum!
Wow, i really wish i could just float through panic attacks! It sounds like you are doing really well though, if your able to float through the thoughts and panics
Have you tried any herbal things, I don't mean as in brewing a storm in a cauldron in the middle of the kitchen! i mean sprays and tablets?
I bought some tablets called Kalms and a soothing spray, i have not yet tried the tablets but the spray is brilliant, got an odd taste as it is made from random flowers. However, the effects and time it takes to work make up for that
I suggest maybe getting a spray if you get over whelmed with bad thoughts and it may speed up the process of these "layers" as you called them, lifting!

I hope this helped
Anna-Lea
Xx