I am with christmas22, 68 years young with panic attacks that started at age 30 but riddled with anxiety from early childhood. First, give Cymbalta more than just a week...it can actually take a good 8 weeks at least for the medication to kick in. I can not speak to exposure therapy, never had it and doubt it would help my panic/anxiety ...I wouldn't know where to begin!
But do give it a try. Be strong and have faith in your therapist. You have nothing to lose!
And just another thought. Have you had a lot of trauma in your life? My entire life was full of it. I have layer upon layer of trauma...hence my severe anxiety/panic attacks. It's a very long story and won't go into it here.
But what has really helped me was "movement". Yes, I do chair yoga and meditated when I can. I get on my treadmill too (although with balance issues walk like a snail 🙂 but any walking is better than none. I would suggest a health and wellness coach for you. One on one. I have such a coach and this has helped me tremendously. Try yoga. Start out with a personal coach. Trauma never leaves the body and the "brain, the mind" is changed forever. But it can be quieted.
And the root of your truly awful panic disorder might be trauma. It goes hand in hand with anxiety disorders.
I wish you the very best of luck and all that is good! You are just starting out in your life. Do everything you possibly can to make it the VERY BEST! And never give up hope! Everything in life eventually changes. And what is happening now in your life - will someday change. Nothing stays the same forever. Your suffering will change...have faith and hope all will be well. We are all rooting for you!

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