It seems to me that your insurance would cover it if you were seeing a counselor/therapist that also treats with hypnotherapy. Since I already got a referal/ok to see this guy I doubt very seriously they would say I could only get CBT from him. You pose an interesting question though.

my insurance covered 60% of the service. you have to call your provider and they'll let you know. I don't have hmo so I don't know what yours would cover. I'll tell you what, though, the way that I felt, I didn't care how much debt I went into just so that I could have my life back.

Thanks Donna There is only ONE person in my area... I called to leave a voice mail and it said her voice mail was full :mad: Does anyone know offhand, if this treatment is covered by any insurance? I have an HMO...and I am thinking it might not be...

If anyone is interested, this is the site of the hypnotherapist that I went to- very interesting! takingcareofme.com. Let me know what you think about her ideas!

Interesting Donna. Actually I kind of believe in *tricking our minds* In a way, I think I've always known that. I guess that might imply that it's controllable...well sometimes yes, and other times, no. I can't explain the difference, except that I know that if I am really panicked, the control doesn't seem to be there. However, I am beginning to attempt to program my mind when I'm NOT panicked. Even when I am not driving, I have begun through-out the day to feed myself positive thoughts. Frequently I remind myself that I am a good driver and I have now added to it, that there's nothing wrong with my eyes...I see fine. I mean, I could be letting the doubt creep in and keep thinking about if my commute going home (like now) is going to be good or bad, but instead I keep reassuring myself it will be just fine. I know that sounds simplistic, and perhaps I don't believe it 100%, but I find it seems to be working..more than either 1) doing nothing or 2) dreading the ride home. Yesterday, I was looking forward to going home...took the freeway again...and yes, there were a few moments of slight panic, but I honestly believe the more I force myself to do it, despite the minor discomfort, the easier it will become. Another thing that sort of mystifies me...I noticed this morning that I almost wake up with a burst of energy....NOT panic...but I think I'm just sort of on the hyper side anyway. Once I became hypersensitive about myself, it seemed as though this hyperactivity I was observing was new....connected to my sudden panic attacks, but I am now thinking, that it's always been there, and since it wasn't causing any problems, it was no big deal. Same thing with my sight...I think I've had sort of lazy eyes for a very long time....only NOW, they seem to cause me problems, whereas before they were never an issue..OK I'm blabbering again. But for me, I still want to try and conquer this without meds...the support here is so important, and has helped me soooooooo much. Unless my panic takes a really bad turn, I plan to just keep on with the exposure work.... :)

dcheryl- yes, I do believe hypnotherapy does work. I read about this woman in the paper and she was having a seminar so I went. It was so interesting to me the way your mind works and so POSITIVE. That is the key! I have a problem with drs. or psychs who tell you that a problem MAY go away or you MAY be on meds forever. I wanted an answer and this woman gave me that answer. I know everyone is different but getting better has alot to do with not giving in to what your mind is telling you. Our minds "tricked us" into having this problem and thru the hypnotherapy you can "trick" it out of it. You just have to find the right hypnotherapist who really believes in the process and not one that says "well, it may work", because right there you are given the idea that it may not. THINK POSITIVE!

I too have had the same problem, wondering if meds are really necessary. But whenever I have come off of them I have always had to go back on something or other. Paxil and one other one I tried at the beginning helped me a lot, but the side effects where bad...especially sexually deadening side effects. Also, during that time I was on Paxil and Clonazepam, or some other tranquilizers, I started to get very strange illnesses, such as intra-cranial hypertension, extreme weight gain, bleeding inside my eye , and I lost some vision; tumor of the collarbone, pre-cancerous breast tumors and repeated urinary tract infections. The last drug I was on back in 1999 was Effexor XR which worked better for me than all the other ones, and less side effects. But I moved to another country in 1999, and started taking Chinese medicine, which is stronger than kava kava and valerian and all the other herbs you can get. I was also a practising aromatherapist, and knew all about the most calming aromatherapy treatments, which I also used. They are very relaxing and help people fall asleep; however, if you have a brain chemistry problem they will not keep you alseep long enough, or deeply enough. Everything can help; but I believe the drug therapy is the strongest thing you can use. Depending on your condition, various treatments are probably good. If your condition is bad, what I am hearing from everyone's comments here, is that even the drugs can be disappointing. So perhaps everyone is different, and all of our conditions need to be treated on an individual basis. You can have bad side effects from so called 'natural' products too, as I have learned from personal experience. Right now, I am on a combination of drug and herbs from the doctor. But honestly, I believe the Effexor XR I was taking 3 1/2 years ago was better than what I am taking now, because I am still having panic attacks, and I am just hoping that in the next month or so, this new medication will kick in. Otherwise, perhaps I will have to change meds again. My feelings are unacceptable to me, especially when they cause pain to others. I have had seven years of various types of therapies; and talked out all my past, etc., which helped alleviate some pain of the past, however, I do not think that ta

Hey, I got an answer to my own questions. I had an appt. with my therapist last night and asked him about hypnotherapy. Come to find out, he does it. After we do the Cognitive Behavior Therapy he says we can try the hypnotherapy if I want. He says people respond differently to it but it does work well for some.

Hypnotherapy really helps? I've been curious about that. Where did you find your hypnotherapist Donna?

I agree with Sue89. I was on meds too for a couple of months but I decided that I did not want the meds to "cover up" what the real problem was. I ended up going to a hypnotherapist (not at all like what you see in the movies) and definately found out that the mind is very powerful. We ended up jumbling alot of my mental thoughts and I'll tell you- it worked! I'm now off meds and feeling better. I can honestly say that it has helped tremendously! I still have some bad days once in a while, but am able to work thru them without meds. I've learned different breathing techniques too. I believe that you can think yourself sick, so if that is the case, why can't you think yourself better?!