[Amyscience]

Has anyone had a panic attack during a therapy session?

[pbutton]

Yes. My therapist told me that it seemed like a pretty safe place to do so. To some extent that was true, but it felt like a waste of money since I wasn't really "there" for most of the session.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Originally Posted by pbutton

Yes. My therapist told me that it seemed like a pretty safe place to do so. To some extent that was true, but it felt like a waste of money since I wasn't really "there" for most of the session.

Yup - same here. I always feel like when I have a panic attack it's a waste of the time and money, but my T totally disagrees. She says that I'm being authentic with my emotions and it helps her to see how strongly some things affect me and it lets me practice skills for dealing with panic attacks with her there to support me.

I guess...if I have to have a panic attack somewhere, during session is the best place to do so!

Yes. It was the first time I knowingly had a full-blown panic attack in front of anyone.

(I had one in Baja with my fiance but I thought it was food poisoning The second one I had landed me in the hospital. I was at work and felt that feeling come over me, thought I was having an MI, so I quickly and quietly slipped out of the office and drove myself to the ER. That's when I discovered what was going on and that it was panic / anxiety I was experiencing. After that, I had an Rx so I was able to control things in public).

***

I felt sooo embarrassed that she saw me melting down like that (I usually get to a "safe" place - in private - before I completely lose it, so nobody sees me).

She was really sweet and reassured me and helped me to calm down. She sort of coached me, too, concerning all of my fears...and we got through it.

I was grateful to her. I still am.