I have been referred for CBT

[Titania]

for my panic attacks. I went to see the doctor this moring who gave me 2 months of 20mg cipralex. Im not sure how to feel about the CBT. Im scared.

whats cbt?
are you ok?

erm...got me on that one. the doctor said it will be purely for practical ways to help with my panic attack.

Hiya, what is CBT ????? I'm on msn if you wanna chat

cognitive behavioural therapy, its meant to be supperb for panic attacks and the like. Give it a go, you have got thise panic attacks to get rid of girl. You've got nothing to lose.

just the name alone sounds scary.....

you'll be fine. when does it start?

dont know. the doctors sending the letter today

Apparently the therapist is able to teach you a new way of thinking about the symptoms.
Its like a Derren Brown magic of the mind almost!
Its used to help smokers quit, any kind of addictions really. Supposed to be the bees knees.
OMG this description does sound scary, im not helping much am i. Some one with experience of it will post soon and actually be helpful to you im sure......ignore my ramblings (and horrific spelling bin up since 5am!)

What happens when you have a panic attack?
Does something in particular set them off?

new situations, having to go out, going round the supermarket and finding they have moved something around. I get a tight chest, my heart starts thumping really hard, i get sweaty hands, cant breathe properly, and worse case scenario if i cant stop it i hyperventilate and pass out.

Oh my god, I really hope it works for you

MTS knows about CBT doesn't she? Titania you could ask her about it...I hope it works for you!

Go for it Titania. I wish I could get some help for my problems. You have to give it a go, if only to find out it doesn't work for you (but I really hope it does! )

titania i ave had it for anxiety/phobia following a car accident
please dont worry it is extremely useful
good luck

Titania, that is really GOOD news. So pleased that you are finally getting really good help! Don't worry about the CBT. As Donbean said you will just be learning ways to 'think' yourself out of your panic attacks. Very simplified I know, but nothing to worry about. Speak to MTS. It was so lovely to meet you both in the flesh! Can't wait til we can do it again.

good, you're getting some real treatment! who is it with? clinical psychologist?

CBT is the opposite of touchy/feely give your 5 year old self a hug type of counselling - far more practical - they'll probably do a bit of taking your history at the first session, but after that it's far more practically based - you're not just sitting there talking about your past, but looking at how you feel now, and how to stop panicking.

help....i cant breathe........

what exactly you so scared of hun?

can you get yourself a paper bag or something to breathe into - you're probably hyperventilating, and that will help stop you doing that

www.besttreatments.co.uk/btuk/conditions/10195.html

info about how CBT is used to treat panic attacks

all that the "cognitive" means is getting you to view the world/risk/responsibilities more realistically. the "behaviour" side of things is getting you to stop avoiding stuff that you would like to do

and it is absolutely nothing to do with ECT (electric shock treatment) - wondering if maybe that's why the initials CBT scare you as you are associating it with ECT???

hope you dont mind me posting.. CBT is/can be really really helpful. MTS has explained it really well (glad it helped you ) It looks at situations, your thoughts surronding it, emotional feelings, physical feeling and actions. They wont give you the 'answers' but help you discover why you react in ways you do to things and ways you could cope with situations. (read that back and not sure it makes sense). Here is a really helpful link to a evidence based well respected site. here (hope the link worked