Hi
I've been waiting nearly 4 months for intense CBT referral for anxiety attacks and agoraphobia.
In the meantime I've been trying self help techniques such as exposure.
Last week I drove 4 miles to a beach car park without having a panic attack or high anxiety and was ok. I had a feeling of accomplishment and success
Today I did the same route and just as I approached the beach car park, started getting an immense feeling of anxiety and unreality feelings
so I drove back home quickly and felt ok when I got back on the main road and almost normal within a few minutes, knowing that I was on the return leg.
I feel so demoralised that I almost had a panic attack and feel I may avoid doing that exercise again.
What should I have done? I remember my last therapist said I should just stay put at point of highest anxiety and wait until my anxiety drops by 50%.
Should I have done that? Even though the panic may have incapacitated me and stopped me being able to get home. Should I continue doing that same exercise until habituation and desensitisation reduce my agoraphobia over all.
Any advise please?