I get panic attacks & anxiety, can I get any help

clemmatis

Ah. That's a real problem. (There's no real chance of CBT or other therapy on the NHS in my part of Cardiff!, there was last time I checked an 18-month wait just for assessment to see whether you could get it... .)

well, there's an online cbt course designed by Chris Williams, who's a Glasgow Prof. and Honorary Consultant in Psychiatry, it's at

www.livinglivetothefull.com

(I heard he's a great guy)

and you could try the forums at

www.nomorepanic.co.uk

or you could try David Burns' books (he's a leading cbt expert) -- see

www.feelinggood.com

and there's a book some doctors use called Mind Over Mood

C_Mababejive

Maybe you should take a look at free,on line CBT such as Mood Gym????

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Greenbix

I used to suffer from anxiety. What I did was to talk to my GP and he recommended Cognitive Therapy. It worked for me and I can now cope with my anxiety. It is also an option if you do not want to take pills.:(:)

bertiebat

I found this link which identifies a lot of further links to self help/online courses. Some of these have already been mentioned.

http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/links2.htm

My brother did CBT online and found it really useful. Definitely worth a try.

rinabean

I have agoraphobia and several other anxiety problems, though I'm unusual in that I don't suffer from panic attacks. I can't see anyone suggesting medication - if you can get to your GP just once, demand antidepressants. They haven't fixed me and they never will but I almost function now - well, I can make it out of the house to most of my medical appointments! I've been tried on CBT and it didn't work, now I'm having general counselling with my CPN, reading books, and trying to go outside with my husband whenever I think I'll manage it. It's slow progress, but there'd be no progress at all without the leg up from the tablets. Don't be afraid of them if that's the problem - yes, the initial side effects are horrible, but they wear off, and you don't end up a zombie or anything like that. Good luck!

clemmatis

rinabean wrote: »

I have agoraphobia and several other anxiety problems, though I'm unusual in that I don't suffer from panic attacks. I can't see anyone suggesting medication - if you can get to your GP just once, demand antidepressants.

rinabean, pursey suggested them

rinabean

I thought it was odd that no-one had, but I honestly didn't see that Thanks!

iwill

Thanks all for your advice, have had a look at some of the links and have phoned the drs to see if there will be any chance this year for treatment.
I haven't gone down the medication route as tried some in the past that really zonked me out and having a 6 year old to look after this time I can't really chance it, but I do use the rescue remedy when I am feeling strong enough and tum is behaving to go out with hubby and it just takes the edge off, have also been looking into alternative therapys as dr did mention hypnotherapy, but again they don't fund this.
Has anyone else had success with alternative therapies in the past.
Thanks again

Trialia

OP, my sister is agoraphobic and suffers from severe chronic depression and anxiety attacks, and she was just granted low rate care and mobility DLA and is undergoing psychotherapy and CBT. I would suggest both might be something to check out.

ppolly

I have tried hypnotherapy and counselling for my panic attacks - the hypnotherapy didn't work much - although it was very relaxing at the time! but the counselling was good - I only had 4 or 5 sessions. If you can find a counsellor with whom you are a good match and feel happy, then it would be worth trying - mine was a psychotherapist who used NLP as well. I also had a problem with tranquillisers, I now have half the lowest available dose of Diazepam which seems to be enough for me to stop a panic attack in its tracks without feeling as though I'm drunk, so it might be worth asking for a low dose of something. I only have panic attacks a few times a year now, although they come back more frequently in times of stress.
Hope this helps.