So, I've had anxiety for many many years. I have terrible driving anxiety and GAD, so many things make me anxious. I'm on medication (lorazapam) that I take before I leave for work and now before I leave work for my drive home. I started CBT on 4/19 and this past Friday was my second visit. From the time between my first visit and my second visit it seems as though my anxiety driving has gone through the roof. The first visit was nothing more than a getting to know me and my issues and goals. Second visit didn't see like we did too much. I feel that I've done so much research on line and through books that the things we have gone over in theraphy are all things I've heard before (belly breathing, the saber tooth tiger effect, deep muscle relaxation. I've heard and done all of this before. Anyway, can anyone tell me about their experiences with CBT? What should I expect, has anyone had any luck. I'm at a point where I don't even want to leave the house. I simple task of going to the bank today (less than 2 miles from home) caused so much anxiety that I turned around panicking while driving home. I feel paralyzed by fear. I've been on the lorazapam for well over a year at .05mg. I feel that is not cutting it anymore, but I'm scared to death to tell my med doc because I don't know what he would say about increasing the dosage, and I am also terrified about becoming addicted. I think about disability daily, but that just depresses me. I'm young, love my job, hold a great position plus, my husband and I need my income. What do I do. I'm feeling very depressed about that and that is another road I don't want to go down. Any advise would be so appreciated!!
Thanks!