[sleestak]

Several years ago, I experienced a terrifying near death experience - I was physically restrained and attacked for several hours. While my attackers were in my face they were smoking cigarettes.

Flash forward to today. Every time I smell cigarette smoke, I am thrust back into the fear of dying - and a panic attack ensues. It's like my brain now associates the smell of cigarette smoke with terror.

As strange as it sounds, I have a phobia of cigarette smoke.

For years now, I have avoided places were people smoke. However, my phobia has now gotten to the point that if I even smell smoke on someone (they don't have to be actively smoking) I am thrust right into an attack.

One time I was in a gas station paying for gas and a person standing in line behind me breathed on me and it smelled like cigarette smoke, that set it off and I haven't been back in the station since.

I had to resign from my job because I couldn't stand to be around coworkers who had just come back from break. I could never take the elevator because it always smelled like smoke.

When I drive, I cannot ever drive with the windows down for fear that I may smell it.

My neighbors smoke, and when they do, they go outside. I have a hell of a time mowing next to their house because I am too focused on watching for them to come outside so that I can escape back inside before they light up.

I realize this fear is extremely irrational but I can't seem to control the reaction that this smell causes me.

I have sought the help of a P-doc who gave me a script for Lexapro. That only made me worse.

I have seen several therapists but all they want to do is talk about the attack. I have not been able to find a therapist who will describe for me in detail and give me directions on what I need to do to overcome this fear. Do therapists like this exist?

I am going to post this in the anxiety section as well. Thanks for reading.

[Beholden]

I am so sorry you have such an awful phobia. I hope you get some good replies here, all I can do is wish you the best and know that I am thinking of you today. Phobia isn't one of my issues, though, anxiety is and I'm on Pexeva, a different brand (company) of Paxil. It really seems to help me. You are in the right direction of looking for a therapist who specializes in phobia, panic attact and unless you are referred to one or they 'advertise' that that is a specality, I don't know how you would find one.

Good luck, and don't give up looking uintil you find the right T.

[Pikku Myy]

Left you a quick note under anxiety Hugs

[phoenix7]

meds will help but you need to sort the prob out and a T can do that - they often start off by talking through the event - I hated that - but they have to see how you react to diferent parts of it to see whereit needs work -

some therapists do exposure therapy where you go over and over the event - mine doesn thank heavens!

I would suggest trying another T - explain what you nee and ask outfront how they would help you get past this.

take care P7

I'm responding quickly - going to bed....

But please join PTSD group. It's been good for me. Starlite

[TrespassersWill]

Don't feel like you are alone. Cigarette smoke is one of my triggers too. I was date raped by a smoker. Most of the time it reminds me and makes me uncomfortable and that is all. But sometimes smelling cigarette smell puts me in panic mode where I will run away from someone.

I have PTSD so bad from multiple traumas that the therapist doesn't know what to do with me. One therapist did EMDR on me for several months which made me worse. My new therapist says EMDR is too extreme for someone with complex-PTSD. So I am doing CBT with her now though to be honest that doesn't seem to help much either. Maybe a little, but at least she's not made it worse like the first one did.

[sleestak]

Thank you for the sincere replies.

In your opinion, is it acceptable to "shop around" for a therapist? Can I call a therapist and and ask if they would be able to help me through exposure therapy?

How do I join the PTSD group?

EMDR did not work for me either - although it did allow me to experience the panic right in the office without actually being around the smell of smoke.

It's really amazing how the mind works, I mean cigarettes were not what harmed me but my subconcious mind really feels they are a threat.

[phoenix7]

yes its ok to shop around for a T - a lot of T's expect it -

the way I found it was on someone profile then clicking on the link and joining - its on my profil unless someone comes up with an easier way to get there - on the right hand side social groups click on ptsd and the join - good luck

good luck