Differences in the job interview process

[Nikia]

I have interviewed for and gotten a number of low level jobs. These interviews all involved 2 or fewer people and lasted less than a half hour. A couple of these jobs involved only being interviewed at a temp service.
For quite a while, I have been trying to get a new job. I have gotten a number of interviews, but evidently these events are really killing my chances. The job that I almost got involved a phone interview, 2 on site interviews with 6 different people over those two times, a psychological interview, and then the step that I messed up on, the corporate interview lasting 8 hours with 8 different people. This was for a job paying $35,000/year
All the other interviews that I have gotten involved at least 3 different people and lasted over an hour. Some had a second step which I was not invited to. These were for jobs paying less than $30,000/year.
I have a few different anxiety disorders. I have become extremely nervous at all these interviews and even had a panic attack at one. At my last one, I looked in the mirror right afterwards and was red. I could handle interviewing with one or two people for less than a half hour. When I have to interview with several people either all at once or sequentially though and it goes a long time, I really can't handle it.
Anyway, I guess my question is two fold. Are more companies doing more thorough job interviews now or is it just bad luck on my part? How should I handle the situation? I really would like to get a new job because my current job is really adding to my problems and has been for some time.

[aePrime]

1. I don't know how common it is

but for my current job I had a 5 or 6 hour interview. I went through 6 people. They also took me out to lunch.

The process was tiring, but I didn't have a lot of anxiety -- probably because I already had a fall-back job if this one didn't take.

My only advice is to ask to use the restroom between people and take a few minutes to try and relax.

[Nikia]

2. Kicking

Feel free to share your lo9ng interview stories.

[MountainLaurel]

3. Go out and read

Barbara Ehrenreich's new book, about middle-aged white-collar workers who have been downsized. I went to a reading last night, and I think she could have some insights into what's happening.

[emmajane67]

4. I won't work anywhere like that...

I went for one job where, after 3 interviews and a psychological profile, they finally offered me the job.
I said "No", I don't want to work anywhere where it takes that long to get anything done and that level of indecisiveness would drive me mad to work amongst.
It's an interest process though, finding a job and the interviewing part.
Went for a job last week where I went to the pub with the whole company for 2 hours.

[xmas74]

5. I don't know if it's common or not.

My lower level jobs that I've actually received have had three or less people interviewing me. The jobs I'm still interviewing for(in the field that I've trained in) have a panel interview(anywhere from 6-12 people interviewing me), background checks, employment testing, psych testing and take about 2-3 months to hire. I'm used to that kind of interviewing because of my field but others have told me that it's not as common.