I was SO excited after starting cymbalta, thinking the panic attacks would FINALLY go away.

but unfortunately nothing of the sort happened.

As a matter of fact, I've had 3 panic attacks since starting it two months ago; one being so bad, I had to be taken to the hospital (Because both my hands and feet went numb) And as panic attacks go, I panicked. (I was, of course, fine)

But what this board is mainly about, is the fact that one of the panic attacks happened after trying to face an irrational fear.

For some reason, I can't step on lines, cracks or patterns. There are white squares in the lobby of my work, that i can't step on. They're bad tiles. I won't really get too far into it, but the point is, I can't walk on them.

So Today, I had someone blindfold me. I thought I'd try A bit of exposure therapy, by having her lead me around the lobby. It was okay at first. She was telling me I WASN'T stepping on the tiles, when in reality I was. But Then I heard someone laughing, and I immediately freaked out, ripped off the blindfold, and began the therapeutic "Wiping" ritual to get rid of the bad feelings of the white tiles I knew I was stepping on. then I had a full out panic attack. This is really beginning to effect my work. Because people have to fill in for me during the time I'm having these panic attacks.

I want to start therapy because I feel like this is the last straw. Has anyone else had experience with therapy and panic attacks? Did it work?

I really need this. It IS negatively effecting my life. Because I feel like anything will set me off now. If anyone has any tips or anything on how to get out of panic attacks, I'd be grateful.

Thanks.