[Dawr]

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.

for you...

and you have such courage... to try the exposure therapy..

To answer your question, yes for me therapy really helped my panic attacks... I have gone thru phases... I went years without panic attacks... after therapy... am currently in a "bad" phase but I am changing a great deal in my life... so.. that triggers the panic attacks..for me..

So getting some help...yes...

and how long have you been on the cybmbalta? it takes a while to "kick in"... and perhaps you might ask pdoc.. if there is another med that might work in conjunction..

May I ask?? did you tell the pdoc.. about not wanting to step on the tiles?? and ask him to evualate that part??

wishing you peace

[Dawr]

I've been on the cymbalta now for about 2 months now.

I've talked to my mom and she said she'd set me up with therapy with a therapist friend of her from her school. (She's a teacher, the therapist has her own practice)

But I don't know if she'll just put it off like the last time.

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