CBT therapy ? Did it help?

[lottie198]

I've had some mental health problems for a while, mainly anxiety and it comes and goes at times in my life.
I suffer with panic attacks where I think I'm having a heart attack and then some days I just feel really low and my body feels numb, it's hard to describe.
Generally I am happy in life though but my anxiety does hold me back.
I passed my driving test 2 years ago and have never driven alone, I always have to drive with my partner and since I had my baby I haven't driven at all (over a year now). I get intrusive thoughts that I may crash or something. I have such a mental block on it.
I always think of bad situations when I'm out like imagine if there was a break in and a gun man when I'm In a shopping centre for example.
I'm sick of my anxiety holding me back in life. It doesn't control my life and I still have a fulfilled life but it really does prevent me from enjoyment at times.
Any suggestions of things to help?
Has anyone had CBT that has helped? Can you get it through the NHS?

Yes you can get it through the NHS, in my area you self refer to the counselling service. Are you seeing a GP for the anxiety? There are medications that can help with intrusive thoughts.

CBT works for some people, and doesn't work for others. It's not passive though, and not just talking about how you feel. You have to put effort in and do exercises / tasks. I found this very hard when I was very depressed, as I was struggling to do anything at all.

It can help with anxiety and you can learn exercises / techniques to deal with intrusive thoughts, panic attacks etc.

www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-NHS-talking-therapies-service/

Thank you 🙏
No I've not mentioned to the GP about anxiety. I don't really want to go down the medication route because I'm still breast feeding. I was on propanalol a few years ago for anxiety and about 7 years ago on citalopram for about 4 months. I cut them both cold Turkey which I realise you shouldn't do and had awful side effects.

@lottie198 - have a look at this video on anxiety, if it resonates there are others on Tim's (free) YT channel on panic attacks and intrusive thoughts. Understanding how your mind works is a huge step in learning how to control it.

It didn't work for me personally, but different strokes for different folks.

I had it via nhs talking therapies for generalized anxiety which was manifesting as ocd, particularly skin picking and nail biting. As well as smoking a lot.
You have to be prepared to discuss uncomfortable things, be honest and put some effort in, which can be hard.
It definitely worked for me although r like anyone I have good days and bad days. I gave up smoking, nail biting and skin picking which were all massively hampering my life. ..I'll attached a before and after pic of my nails