Panic attacks

[myBOYSareBONKERS]

I am suffering badly at the moment. I have an underlying cardiac condition that is fine if I am not anxious - unfortuatley when I have a panic attack it then triggers my heart problem - which causes it to stop and my blood pressure drops so I do pass out.

I was doing really well until I had a crap day earlier in the week and it has set me back so much. I am back to the state I was in in January. Work have let me go to counselling (I work in the NHS so we have it free) but I cant have any more via that so I am looking to go private.

We know why I have them i.e things said in childhood being triggered now but I cant seem to "get over" it. I have had so much therapy over the years - CBT, Hypnosis etc. I have heard of EMDR - does anyone know much about that?

I am going to go to the GP to discuss medication as I know that if I can get my anxiety under control I wont suffer with my heart.

I am in a vicious circle. I dread work as I am ill there, therefore I am anxious going in which brings on an attack which then makes me worse for the next shift.

I just want to cry all the time as I know the impact it is having on my family.

I just feel so very down and such a failure. I was doing so well and it all gone downhill again.

Have you had any good old fashioned psychotherapy? CBT is great for managing symptoms but not for tackling the root issues of childhood. From my own experience knowing what triggers your problems (ie what happened in childhood) is only half the battle and doesn't automatically make it go away.

EMDR can help when you are overwhelmed by trauma (flashbacks/intrusive thoughts/nightmares). That's why it is often used in PTSD.

I have had conventional therapy - is that what you mean?? one-to-one with a counsellor talking it all through?

I agree that knowing what the triggers are is only half the problem - and that is where I am stuck at now.

I don't get flashbacks but I am associating places with attacks which then brings on an attack the next time I am there - i.e work. And its that cycle that needs to be broken.

That is what always happens with panic attacks - it is the in itself harmless attacks that you become scared of. I'm not sure EMDR would help with that, my hunch is not - but your doctor should be able to tell you.