Its normal to have set backs. Recovery is a process. All the work you have accomplished will make a difference to you. You may feel like you have to start at square one but everything u have learned and experienced will assist you greatly. Try to look at each attack as a learning experience. I know it seems impossible but with each attack you will be more of what works for you and what doesn't work. Are you keeping a thought journal? This may help you monitor your thinking and perhaps even predict if a panic attack will occur in the near future.
The last couple of days, I had terrible anxiety and a "I'm dying" PA today. Through exposure, I had been able to go to restaurants with no problem. Yesterday, I had to force myself to go with family and friends. When I got there, I had this terrible dizziness which felt like I was going to pass out. It later turned into a migraine which I actually welcomed because it replaced the anxiety.
I think that it started last week when I had terrible allergies and/or a sinus infection. A couple of times, I felt like I was going to pass out while standing up and had to clutch something. As you know with anxiety, everything feels magnified, and what was probably background dizziness made me feel like I was going down. Since then, it seemed like the panic cycle started up again. So here I am, back at square 1, sort of. I feel like I need to start my exposure again. Although, I don't think that it will take me as long to regain my confidence.
That's great that you succesfully recovered after 10 months with no meds. I'm currently in my 5th month of anxiety -- also on no meds. A week ago, I felt like I was well on my way to a full recovery, but this week, I had a setback that made me less hopeful.
Can you share some of your experiences including overcoming setbacks? Did you use other techniques besides CBT? Thanks for your help and giving us hope.
I know all to well about the constant battle I waged it for about 10 months & like you without meds. But you know what you will get well, I did and mine was severe. I used to get 5-6 pa's a day and on a scale of 1-10 they felt like an 11. It seems so overwhelming to you now because you are just beginning your therapy, I felt the same way at the beginning, but then bit by bit it all starts to fit into place and the pa's start to decrease.
As for the flooding I actually wouldn't recommend that type of exposure, I think gradual is better. I can say this because I used the flooding method, but that's only my opinion. I'm sure the mods would know best.
Hang in there kid, the battle does get easier with time.
Welcome to our support community, the members do know where you are coming from. They can share their experiences and support with you. Good for you for being active in your progress. Have you taken the anxiety test? By taking the test and taking a copy to your doctor, you can begin to assess and pinpoint areas to work on.
We also have a session on exposure therapy to help you every step of the way. Take the time to go through and start slowly. We are always here to assist!
I've been in therapy for 5 weeks now- no meds. I do everything pretty much but its' just so tirng- I grit my teeth everyday and go to work. I initially thought work was my trigger(where I had my first two PAs) but then my doctor said there's no trigger-- it can happen anytime anywhere-- and thats when my PA started happening anywhere! =(
It's been a constant battle-- 24/7! It's so tiring-- I'm new at this site but I guess I've been doing flooding everyday as I go to work everyday. I'm not sure -- am I?=)
I have stopped playing badminton but exercise at home. I find my PAs come mostyl when I'm not thinking about it.
I have also been practicing awareness during a PA-just trying to grade its intensity while it happens and as it passes--been doing this for 8 days-- and like to think I'm succesful BUT this morning had another BIGGIE!--(16 days since my last one) I had to divert my attention and talked to my wo-wroker through it--for an hour!
It just keeps me back to my anxious thought: Will I ever be the same again? Will I be "cured"? What if I don't get well? Will I lose the will to live?
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