Help with not FEARING anxiety symptoms and panic/ and program with meds question

[aknight]

Hi there,

I am new here and just ordered the program. I was diagnosed with panic disorder in October 2009 after a huge panic attack then (my first). And a subsequent second one later that month. I went on 50 mg Zoloft, started seeing a therpist for some CBT about negative thoughts then and was fine until I started weaning off in March and ended therapy in May.

Starting 2 weeks ago it ALL came back. No panic attacks but the fear of my anxiety symptoms. I have alot of external stressors like (selling a house, family things, and friend things) and I started getting the inability to catch my breath, morning anxiety, butterflies in stomach, feeling of dread, and crying. It has now progressed to where I was feeling tingling limbs, waking up in the am full of adrenaline, dizzy, periods of total fear, and worst feeling like I cant drive anywhere and fear of traveling (my first panic attack was in the car on way home from vacation and was a terrible memory). It didnt help that I my safe person (husband) was gone this week and also gone on our trip last weekend where I had to attend a bachlorette party 2 hours away (that was not awesome and I ended up not going out with them).

So heres my question....

1)I went to therapy yest and I KNOW if I can get over fearing my symptoms that they will stop and go away. He says that I should just talk rationally to myself that I wont have another panic attack and if I do it will be over quickly, I can excuse myself from situations, or pull the car over, or if on a plane go to the bathroom or listen to relaxation tapes. But HOW ELSE? Does this take alot of training and if you overcame it how did you do so?

2)Also I know that having my husband as a safe person is not good. How do I get over that?

3)Can I d this while on meds and have lasting effects once off?

I really want to be well....

[anothersideofme]

Wow, I see alot of similarities between your symptoms and mine. I also fear the feelings of anxiety. Not so much the physical, just the emotional. My husband was also my safe person, but that has passed. For a while, I didn't want him to go anywhere and hated when he even had to go to work.

The program has really helped me alot! just don't jump around in it from cd to cd. It's very tempting to do that, but best if you go in order. Really listen to the cd's and do the workbook.

I am working on weaning soon from cymbalta, so can't comment on your last question.