effective treatment?

[echo]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site and just like to say hi to you all! :)

I suffer from general anxiety and social phobia. over the years I have been trying to search for an effective form of treatment, but I've always been too busy to follow anything through for any significant period of time. My problems are really making me miserable, as I avoid situations and miss out on life because of my fears. When times are bad, and I feel like I'm at a dead end, I often search the web for treatments. From what I have read, I have reached the conclusion that CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is the most effective. I am always amazed at the number of alternative treatments there are, each claiming to successfully treat all forms of anxiety disorder - some after only a single (costly) session! As anxiety is such a common problem nowadays, I think many self-taught therapists are exploiting the situation to make loads of money. Therapists often talk of Thought Field Therapy, Reikei techniques, using the "Light", taking a Holistic approach... basically, I think these are just terms used to confuse vulnerable and desparate people into parting with their money. I cannot believe anxiety disorders can be cured after a single session whilst lying on a couch, the therapist tapping on "accu-points", and with various other para-normal, non-verifiable processes taking place. It sounds like magic to me, and we all know that magic does not work in the real world.

Sorry about the rant :( . I'm just a bit exasperated by some of the tactics used. Can anyone vouch for any of these treatments? I would like to hear from anyone who has had a positive experience with any of these therapies. What is recommended and where is the best place to go?

Many thanks,

echo

[dino]

DEAR ECHO
NICE TO HAVE YOU JOIN THE FORUM ,I MASEL SUFFER FROM SEVERE ANXIETY,AGORAPHOBIA AND PANIC I HAVE TRIED CBT ,ANXIETY GROUPS MEDICATION ALL TO NO AVAIL THIS SITE HAS HELPED ME THE MOST AS HAS THE GREAT PEOPLE IN THE CHATROOM
WHERE I LIVE THERES NO A LOT O HELP FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME BUT I AGREE WI WHAT YOUR SAYING ABOOT PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE CLAIMING THEY CAN CURE YE IN ONE OR A COUPLE O SESSIONS I ONCE WAS SO DESPRATE I FONED SOMETHING CALLED MICKEL THEARAPY THE WOMAN TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO COST ME £90.OO PER HOURS SESSION I THEN ASKED THIS WOMAN HOW MANY SESSIONS SHE THOT I MIGHT NEED WHEREUPON SHE SAID APPROX 6 TO 8 WELL 1ST TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT I WID NEED TO WIN THE LOTTERY AND SECONDLY BEING AGORAPHOBIC IT WIS NO USE ANYWAY COS IF I DID HAVE THE FUNDS TO TRY IT OOT I WAS SUPPOSED TO TRAVEL OVER 60MILES TO SEE HER AS THEY SAID HOMEVISITS WERE NO AN OPTION OH NOW IM RANTING SORRY BUT IT MAKES ME MAD
I RECOMMEND HERE AND THE CHATROOM AS IT'S HELPED ME MORE THAN ANY SHRINK PYCHOLOGIST ETC
LOVE DIANE (dino)
XXXXXXXXXXXXX

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/18.gif

[echo]

Hi Dino,

Thanks for yor reply! I understand what you mean when you say that many of the therapies didn't work for you. I did undergo some CBT for my problem a few years ago, and I have to say the therapists (I saw 2) were poor. They were repeating stuff that you read on the web and see in textbooks, with no real added analysis on MY problem. I felt they were trying to fit me into a box/stereotype that they were familiar with as it made their job easier. There was a fixed time-frame, and I felt they were trying to put words into my mouth re progress to convince me that I was getting better - when in fact nothing much was changing. In a nutshell, the treatment felt robotic and too superficial. I felt I was wasting my time, and making others rich, so I didn't complete the course of treatment in both cases. One of the therapists was actually nodding off in some of the sessions, which made me feel really low. This was almost inexcusable as I was paying someone to listen to me. :(

I think you are right. Sometimes sharing problems with others/friends can be the best form of therapy. When we feel we are part of a community, it helps build our self-esteem and off-load some of the burden. I am sure many therapists are very good, it's just that I haven't had such an experience yet. I think it is extremely counter-productive to see a bad therapist, as it can lead to feelings of helplesness, far greater than prior to therapy. If the only recommended source of help does not work, what next? Keep trying, or try something else? I just wish all those scamers can be rounded up and put in prison for cheating people. That way a google search may actually yield some useful leads! :)

echo

[echo]

Hi, me again...

I'm just going through a bad phase. I'm really worried about the future, and this is getting me depressed. I'm not in a relationship at the moment, and worry I will never meet anyone. I also worry about getting amy next job. How will I cope? etc. I've applied to lots of companies and it's really difficult to even get to the first stage, let alone anything else. My anxiety has plagued my social and work life for many years now, and its taking its toll. I've lost many friends because I have avoided social events. This is often misinterpreted as rudeness or indifference, but nobody sees the truth - I'm scared... scared that my insecurities will be exposed. It hurts when good friends are lost and this dents self-esteem. Social insecurities usually centre around the fear of rejection... loss of friendships only serves to confirm this... it's a vicious cycle. Right now, I feel so alone and rejected that I really don't know what the future will hold. I have often made the mistake of bending over backwards for people in the past, so they would like me. Recently, though, I tried to stop doing this so that I could fight my insecurities, but there was a backlash. Many treated me more negatively now that I wasn't going out of my way. Maybe this is an indication they aren't good friends. Or maybe, they already formed an impression of me that will not change. Anyway, I feel lost and defeated. I think I am right not to feel I have to go out of my way for people to be liked, but the evidence doesn't support this view.

echo

[beverley]

welcome echo,
i too suffer from aniety and agoraphobia and this site really helps as u can say whatever u feel and not feel stupid?
i am starting new treatment soon psychologist comming next week too be honest i'm not totally sure what it is only that it involves NO MEDICATION? that should be comical if they r intending on taking me on a shopping trip i panic within 10 mins from house and that's on a good day?
i have tried plenty of alternative therapies enough to feel a book and some have had me crying with laughter when the so called therapist left
one concentrated on grabbing my bad thoughts from in front of my face and jumping up and throwing them away in mirror?
i nearly cacked myself when he first jumped up
over time i have to this conclusion
take one day at a time
if u have really bad day try not to go over it again and again the next day
keep positive[easier said then done]
always find something to laugh about when your panic or whatever is subsiding
and go on forum like this where u will get support that is invaluable
and u will find somebody u r just waiting for someone special and they r out there
i'm a total pain with my panics etc and i found one?
beverley
xxxxxxx :D

[ClarkKent75]

Hey, echo. Do you read Greek Mythology? I'm a big fan of stories and your name for some reason reminded me of the myth of Echo.

Anyway, I really don't know anything about cures. That's sort of why I came here. But you seem to have done the research.

What's CBT? and if I learn to use such phrases as Reiki field, does that mean I can get someone to pay me $80 an hour? :) :P

Perhaps together we can figure out a cure (and then sell it for a zillion dollars a pop! ) :) :P


I don't think we should change ourselves for our friends. They should accept us for who we are, not who they want us to be. So if they stopped hanging around you because you showed them yourself then they never were real friends.

On the other hand, I'm a realy fan of politeness. There are certain things, certain niceties that you have to do in order to keep\make friends. I really don't know which of the above you're talking about. But you seem well-versed in psychiatrist talk, so you probably already know all this stuff.

Post more about CBT that way we can try and find the holy grail.

[petal]

Dear ClarkKent75

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy fondly know of as CBT is the flavour of the month as a treatment option for many mental health disorders. I must say however that I agree with Echo's assessment of it as superficial and not very helpful. I've tried CBT and gave it a fair go and it didn't really help me. I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and depressive illness.

Recently, I saw a clinical psychologist who told me that psychologists have come to the conclusion in the last few years that CBT isn't very effective for treating generalised anxiety disorder. I was pleased (in a warped way) to find this out as I didn't respond to the treatment and couldn't figure out why. Now I know it just wasn't right for me. But it could be right for you. Ask your doctor about it.

I'm about to start a group program run by a clinical psychologist who uses 'mindfulness' to treat generalised anxiety disorder. Mindfulness is a new treatment option thought to be very useful for treating excessive worry or generalised anxiety disorder. You can read a little about it at:
http://www.brtc.psy.uq.edu.au/mindfulness/...Mindfulness.htm ('http://www.brtc.psy.uq.edu.au/mindfulness/WhatIsMindfulness.htm')

If you're interested in CBT as a treatment option, google 'CBT'. You'll be overwhelmed with information about it.

It's quite difficult to find a psychologist who uses mindfulness to treat GAD. Your best bet for finding a psychologist trained in treating anxiety using mindfulness is in psychology clinics attached to universities. University psychology clinics these days often seem to run research programs using mindfulness for the general community. Anyway, that's what is happening in Australia which is where I'm from. If you're interested in learning more about mindfulness training for anxiety or CBT, have a chat with your doctor about the treatment options. They might have some leads for you.

I hope this information is in some way helpful for you.

Wishing you all the best
Petal http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-070.gif

[ClarkKent75]

So cbt doesn't work? Then what's the leading treatment right now? I really doubt mindfullness would work for me. any treatments other then CBT or Mindfullness?

[petal]

Dear ClarkKent

I'm not saying that CBT doesn't work, it just didn't work very well with me. CBT might work very well for you. Some people will respond to it and others will not. It's worth giving it a go to see if it works for you.

CBT does seem to be the main treatment used for anxiety and depression presently but there are therapists out there who use different models. It's a matter of shopping around and seeing what you like the sound of.

All I can say is that when you are looking around for a therapist, before you have an appointment, ask them over the phone about what approaches and techniques they use. Most therapists will be happy to spend 5 to 10 minutes with you on the phone telling you what kind of therapist they are, and what they could offer you. Ask questions, do a bit of research on the net and go with your gut feeling about what feels right for you.

Wishing you all the best
Petal http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/natur/nature-smiley-003.gif

[ClarkKent75]

and... uh... how would I shop for a therapist? How much money would it cost? I sort of have ZERO extra money right now. That's why i sort of joined up. I was hoping for free cures.

[petal]

What a rude response ClarkKent. Learn some manners please!

You have to be prepared to put some effort into getting well, this includes being courteous to those who offer suggestions following your call for ideas. If you are not polite with your responses, people 'won't be bothered' to post replies to your posts. If you isolate yourself by doing this you'll never get better.

It's not my problem that you have no money for a therapist. Do something about it instead of complaining and asking for 'free cures'.

Cranky Petal

[ClarkKent75]

I didn't mean to be rude, its just that...well... Have you ever gone to a calculus class? And people talk about i and imaginary negative numbers and and how a sufficiently large enough negative number somehow magically becomes positive? and you sort of realize that nothing that's been talked about the whole class period has made any sense?

Well, that's how I feel right now. People are talking about abc's and def's and Ghi's and how you everyone has a therapist on speed dial, and all that stuff, and its completely Alien to me. You guys might know what Abc is, but I'm still stuck in begining math.

[angie]

PETAL GAVE YOU SOME GREAT ADVICE THERE.

SHE'S EVEN POSTED A LINK FOR YOU TO DO SOME RESEARCH.
THERE IS NO 'ONE' CURE.
IF THERE WAS, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR FORUMS LIKE THIS.

IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHICH DIRECTION YOU TAKE FOR YOUR RECOVERY. YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST STOP.

ALL OF US HAVE OUR DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES. IT MAY SEEM LIKE YOU ARE BEING BOMBARDED WITH INFORMATION BUT, AS I SAID, WE ALL TAKE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO GETTING WELL.
HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL FIND YOURS.

ANGIE

[petal]

Thank you Angie. You're a sweetie :rolleyes: .

A big hug for you
Petal http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/natur/nature-smiley-017.gif

[freaking-out]

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