racjen - many years ago I was in a session and the therapist insisted that I *HAD* to have a thought B4 anxiety struck. Well nope actually and I walked out. You R the first person that gets it!
As an update which may help someone, my panic attacks are triggered by physical feelings, usually nausea when my body is hungry. So I have to eat B4 my body needs energy. Which when I feel well I can easily forget to do, like last night: I knew I was hungry but didn't bother searching the cupboard, this morning I felt awful. Now had I taken a handful of dried fruits and nuts to bed to nibble ..........
My emergency bag holds: bananas, dried fruits and nuts, a bottle of 'coke', Rich T biscuits, ginger biscuits, and I have buns in the pantry when at home.
CBT didn't work for me. My anxiety began within moments of being born as I was intubated. So having popped out and then suffering strange hands around my face ........ I became anorexic at age 3 with panic attacks, diagnosed at 5. The Dr told Mum that I would 'grow out of it'. Still waiting!
GR - sorry about the loss of your dog, was it that she died rather than disappeared
.
Sorting out the mess is difficult. Whilst I remain in my comfort zone with a regular routine I am usually OK. However, we have chosen to travel to Leamington to see the pro-cyclists run into the end of the Stage, already my guts are churning ......
. We know where to park. There are good eateries. We know where the loos are ..........
Relaxation therapy has, in the past, helped but it was remembering to practice
and usually when I sat down to listen to the tapes a
would join me and we would sleep. Music has always helped, I listen when I take an emergency pill and wait. Gentle walking if I can get away from people has been useful.