[seeker1950]

I have these periodic episodes of pretty extreme shortness of breath. Monday night, in Seminar grad class, during a critique of a student's work of a very explicit nude painting (almost what you would call pornographic), as the professor rambled on and on about how wonderful it was, the episode started. I hope it wasn't the prof's behavior and the subject matter that triggered this episode! I had spent a trying day getting my paper ready to turn in, and rushed around a lot before getting to class, but I also have a long history of dealing with art professors. I was "seduced" by my painting instructor while taking part-time classes while I was unhappily married, and it took me over 10 years to recover. Nothing sexual happened between us, because I couldn't bring myself to be unfaithful despite the bad marriage, and he then rejected me.
I'm thinking all the history with this kind of thing may have triggered it, but I hope not!
Patty

[Reesie]

Just to be sure, I would get checked out medically for the shortness of breath, even if you're pretty sure it's anxiety, you should be checked by a doctor. I think the experience you told about would be enough to make me anxious around a similar situation as your class, if that had happened to me.

[stressedddout]

i have been dealing with anxiety & panic for some 18 years. i am currently taking cymbalta & am thinking of getting off of meds. & doing it on my own again. has anyone done that & if so how hard is it? why should i take meds. if im still having problems?