bhamlaxy
05-29-2012, 02:09 PM
Very briefly- I have had slight anxiety issues for the past few years (flight anxiety, couple issues while doing a stressful job). I was working another stressful job (no time off for months, long hours). I used to smoke a lot of marijuana when younger, but over the past year or two I have been smoking less frequently and in smaller amounts because it started to make me uncomfortable. One night (about 2 months ago) I got off work and smoked. I launched into my first real full fledged panic attack. Thought I was losing my mind, and the absolute full weight of the stress I was under came crashing down on me. Paced around for a few hours telling myself "you are just too high, it will go away, you don't need to call 911". It was horrific.
The day after I felt off. I struggled through the last few days of that job (it was temporary and ended a week later). I started facing heavy derealization issues, occasional panic attacks ranging from mild to moderate in severity. Generally the morning would be the worst- waking up in either a panic attack or moderate anxiety. During this period I was off work for the first part, and part time for the second. I remained largely functional- I could go to the store, go to work, ride the train, drive etc.
I was reliant on a daily dose of .5mg ativan for the first month or so. It would immediately take the edge off in the morning. The ativan would wear off and I would still be fine for the rest of the day. I began taking Lexapro and as it kicked in I have almost eliminated the ativan, using it once a week at most. I am much more balanced, but wake up maybe 1-2 days a week with mild anxiety. Everything is much better, I am functioning very well at a new full time stressful job, and things are pretty great.
So I am now trying to focus on therapy. I go to a generic therapist now- I think she sees all types of clients for any type of issue. I do enjoy seeing her, but things feel slow moving and through even the most basic research I feel like I know a lot more about anxiety than she does. I do leave therapy feeling better, and usually get a few good things out of it.
My question is this- Considering the level of my anxiety, would it be worthwhile to seek out a CBT specialist, or someone that specializes exclusively on anxiety? It may be slightly more expensive (but I do have insurance now). I have been working on some at-home CBT writing exercises (TEA forms).
Just looking for some basic feedback on this. Not sure if I need to make the switch because I feel like my anxiety isn't crazy bad.
The day after I felt off. I struggled through the last few days of that job (it was temporary and ended a week later). I started facing heavy derealization issues, occasional panic attacks ranging from mild to moderate in severity. Generally the morning would be the worst- waking up in either a panic attack or moderate anxiety. During this period I was off work for the first part, and part time for the second. I remained largely functional- I could go to the store, go to work, ride the train, drive etc.
I was reliant on a daily dose of .5mg ativan for the first month or so. It would immediately take the edge off in the morning. The ativan would wear off and I would still be fine for the rest of the day. I began taking Lexapro and as it kicked in I have almost eliminated the ativan, using it once a week at most. I am much more balanced, but wake up maybe 1-2 days a week with mild anxiety. Everything is much better, I am functioning very well at a new full time stressful job, and things are pretty great.
So I am now trying to focus on therapy. I go to a generic therapist now- I think she sees all types of clients for any type of issue. I do enjoy seeing her, but things feel slow moving and through even the most basic research I feel like I know a lot more about anxiety than she does. I do leave therapy feeling better, and usually get a few good things out of it.
My question is this- Considering the level of my anxiety, would it be worthwhile to seek out a CBT specialist, or someone that specializes exclusively on anxiety? It may be slightly more expensive (but I do have insurance now). I have been working on some at-home CBT writing exercises (TEA forms).
Just looking for some basic feedback on this. Not sure if I need to make the switch because I feel like my anxiety isn't crazy bad.