I get panic attacks and am seeing a cognitive therapist but it's not helping - any ideas?

Question

despite talking through the 'probable' causes I am still highly anxious in certain situations (in work meetings, on the bus, in any queue) I feel trapped and panic and nothing is working to relive the anxiety I feel. It's seriously ruining my life as I avoid all sorts of situations and at work its highly embarrassing as i have to attend lots of meetings (only to bolt out when i get a panic attack). I'm desperate. Has anyone had cognitive therapy for this and it worked? Please help me.

Answer 1

You haven't said how many times you've seen the cognitive therapist - make sure that it's long enough to give this method a chance. It does work for many people. However, it may be that there are much deeper issues which have caused your problem(s) and it could be helpful for you to see a well-qualified hypnotherapist/psychotherapist who could methods other than CBT.
Sometimes there are issues well below the surface i.e. not at a level of conscious swareness, and the memories and emotions need to be released. This is unlikely to be dealt with by CBT.

Panic attacks are relatively easy to learn to deal with but you need an appropriate therapist to help you.

[Note that drug therapies deal with symptoms, not causes and are sometimes unhelpful in the long-term, although they can help to get you through a really bad patch.]
Good luck ~RJS

Answer 2

Dear Bricktop, you didn't mention how long you've been having these attacks, or at what age they started.
For most therapies rely on TALKING to the therapist and believing they have the panacea for all problems. They don't. There job is to listen to you and allow you to verbalise how you feel in certain situations.
I know I've been there. My dear friend even the thought of going to the therapist brought on an attack, which sometimes lasted for nearly half an hour. My life like yours seemed to be in turmoil, until
I was given a book to read by a concerned friend; THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING, BY NORMAN VINCENT.
It changed my life . For the first time ever I looked at my SELF,Who am I? What am I ? Where do I belong? etc.At the end of the day my friend the cure lies within you. Love yourself, be proud of who YOU are not what people think you are. By that I mean, be yourself don't try to be someone your not. I believe we play too many roles in life; a brother/sister, a worker, a friend, a son/daughter, a husband/wife the list goes on. Sometimes as we move between these roles it causes confusion and panic sets in.
So from no on one role the Real you. I could go on all night, but I wont. I'm not totally cured I still get the odd panic, but only if I,m unprepared. I have come to depend a lot on organic yogi teas. They have one for every thing, please try them. I also have found deep breathing helps. I had to have lessons in the art of deep breathing; fantastic, it really woks. And last but not least,Bach's Rescue Remedy. Four or five drops of this herbal solution in your mouth before a stressful situation and you'll feel like a new person. I hope I was of some assistance. Good luck my friend.
Remember you are never alone. The power is with in you.
Catherine.

Answer 3

The therapist you are working with has a 'responsibility to you' with regards as to whether 'making you are making any headway' thorough your sessions, and advising you as to whether you might like to seek out another source of help.

Likewise, you (in effect) have the same responsibility if things are 'not making progress' ~ to look for someone to work with.

Depending on where you are etc, you might consider having 'an assessment' for your needs. I'm not sure if you can still make such an arrangement via the 'British Association for Counselling & Psychotherpists' who used to supply lists. But they were a good source and likely still are.

I think they are still located in Rugby.

Good luck.
Sash.

Answer 4

I'm really sorry about that. But there may be ways to overcome it by urself. Just consider, however painful it may be, what may have been the cause of ur panic attacks. When people say that it's all in ur head, that is the case with some anxiety, but not all. Do some research on the allmighty internet and consider what u may do to cope wit ur symptoms. Keep ur head up and do stuff that's fun with ur kids. Luv 2 u and ur family!

Answer 5

You might need to try a different therapy and there are many from behaviour therapists to psychologists to psychiatrists who also vary in the different treatments of this condition.

See if your friends can recommend some one. It's worth a try to overcome this treatable condition. Just keep going until you find some one you . Sometimes talking with a friend can work wonders.

Answer 6

A friend has had panic attack problems and got good results with a prescription for Zoloft. It might be worthwhile seeing a doctor about this problem, Zoloft or some other drug might be able to help. They are not without their downside, however; your doctor will tell you. Good luck!

Answer 7

If cognitive therapy isn't working for you, maybe a different approach such as psychoanalysis will get to the bottom of the problem for you.

Answer 8

If you can accept what is, I'm 99% certain your panic will be gone.

Answer 9

I think you might need medicine for anxiety attacks. i've neevr been with someone liek this, so I can't help. I'm sorry.

Answer 10

here is what worked for a very close friend: it is necessary to gain some relaxation for your mind and "emotional body". in the far east every "difficulty" is viewed as stemming from an "energy imbalance" of one sort or another. i would work with those methods that could help to clarify your internal energy system and rebalance your "being". i would start with a good acupuncturist and/or herbalist and/or homeopathic physician. simultaneously, i would begin to exercise diligently and to get involved in chi gong practices, yoga and meditation. this worked for her. the theory involved is not delusional at all, since it has worked for millenia elsewhere. our benighted culture is just now beginning to catch on to its merits. best of luck ;-)