WELCOME Brenda: You are in the right place. Don't worry where you post your message - we'll find it. Just keep posting as often as you want with any questions you may have (even if you think they may be silly - we all started at the beginning didn't we?) I can vouch for this Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Program. It works. I used to have panic attacks and no longer have them. I hope you start reading Sessions 1 and 2 as soon as possible. You can work at your own pace here, no rush. Go over sessions which interest you the most, no problem. Doing the homework is very important too.
Personally, I find the relaxation and breathing exercises a very good start as coping techniques, which I practiced on a daily basis, morning and night. For me it was difficult at first with all the anxiety I had to even know what relaxed felt like any more, but with practice, I got it. And I use this method the most as soon as I feel a lot of stress or anxiety coming on. It helps me to get centred again and slow down.
I did use an SSRI at one time for approx. 3 yrs. or so. No problem. Everyone is different of course and some people need their meds. tweaked as they start them. You may have some side effects for the first couple of weeks, but they do go away. Some cannot take SSRI's, but docs. usually monitor you closely at the beginning, and answer any questions you may have and will know. You can post here too with questions about it, always someone here listening and may have been through it too. We can't offer advice here, but we can let you know what worked or didn't work for us.
It took awhile for you to get where you are, so have patience, you won't be better overnight, or a wknd. With this program and the support we all offer here, I'm hoping you see light at the end of the tunnel.
Cheering for you - hope to hear from you again.
Sunny
