1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

My therapist wants to bring on an anxiety attack and I'm just not comfortable with this

Posted , 5 users are following.

correen58966
correen58966

I've suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember but didn't realise till I hit my early 30's, I now go to therapy every week to help me deal with my "coping mechanisms" like over cleaning, avoidance and sometimes self harm. My world has been made small because of my anxiety, I refuse to put myself in any situation where danger can happen. The last few months I've been progressing and even went on a roller coaster, not a big one but I was amazingly proud of myself, but the last two weeks my worry about everything is creeping back and the feelings of panic and anxiety are coming back. I hate it. I fear it. I wish I had the courage to say bring it on but I don't. I know I can't die from an anxiety attack and I know the science behind them but it doesn't change the fact that I hate and fear how they feel. My therapist wants us to start inducing an anxiety attack but I'm just too scared! Has anyone else been through this or how has anyone conquered the attacks by other forms of therapy techniques?? Xxx

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • lisalisa67
    lisalisa67 correen58966

    Posted

    How is he going to induce an anxiety attack? Id say go for it best thing then he can seriously work with you. Take a taxi or get a ride  that day though you don  need the added stress. They do that in bio feedback to teach breathing its helpful.
    • correen58966
      correen58966 lisalisa67

      Posted

      I'm not too sure?! But she has helped me progress an awful lot but the thought of it just creates more anxiety, but I've tried so many things and just want to live a relatively "normal" life

  • jane75220
    jane75220 correen58966

    Posted

    I do not understand why anyone let alone a therapist  would  wish to induce an anxiety attack.

    You have the right to refuse and also to seek th services of another therapist.

     

    • correen58966
      correen58966 jane75220

      Posted

      It's apparently a type of therapy called "flooding" which is what I did to be able to get on the rollercoaster but this is just so scary for me, I want to have the courage but it's just so difficult.

    • jane75220
      jane75220 correen58966

      Posted

      I would suggest  that if you are feeling so anxious about it to follow your gut feeling and decline.

      Perhaps the therapist is rushing you too much.

  • chelsey1992x
    chelsey1992x correen58966

    Posted

    My therapist did this with me yesterday and I can honestly say it's helped me a lot already, it's the best place you could be whilst having one with someone who knows all the ins and outs of them. I'd suggest give it a go I was really scared about it at first too but somehow it's helped. Good luck x

    • chelsey1992x
      chelsey1992x jane75220

      Posted

      One of my main concerns during a panic attack would be my breathing and my therapist knows this. She said we were going to do an experiment, my anxiety is health related and that I think there is always something wrong with me.

      She made me hyperventilate, I would breathe really quickly for 2 minutes, get all the panic symptoms - dizziness, tingling, fast heart rate, muscle aches and the feeling that I couldn't control my breathing and that I might pass out. She did it with me as well so I didn't feel stupid!

      We did it 3 times, the first was not nice at all, 2nd was slightly better but by the 3rd time I recovered a lot quicker than I usually would and felt strangely calm after. It's just reassured me that each time I have a panic I know it's going to pass and to just allow it to happen rather than fight it. Along with the facts of why each symptom happens I don't feel scared about having another panic attack x

    • correen58966
      correen58966 chelsey1992x

      Posted

      That's exactly my fear, the breathing, feeling like I'm gonna pass out or die. My therapist said she would do this with me aswell. Everything you experienced and explained is exactly what she said, so that's made me feel a lot more positive but I'm still so so scared! She has said she will never push me but highly recommends it! I really hope I can pluck up the courage as I'm so scared and tired of being scared, if that makes sense?! Thank you so much Chelsey, I've got a week to prepare and get in the mind set for it so hopefully I can do it. Well done to you though, I hope I can be telling people what it's like and how it helped me soon xxx

    • chelsey1992x
      chelsey1992x correen58966

      Posted

      Yep that makes perfect sense, fed up of being scared of being scared! Was your session today? I know they say the couple of days after a session can make you feel more anxious because you talk about so much in a short space of time so maybe in a few days you might warm to the idea. I felt really proud of myself after though and I'm sure you will too if you decide to give it a go :-) x

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.