Do you or does someone you know suffer from anxiety?

[Triskelion]

I would like to recommend Hypnotherapy as an effective and viable solution to anxiety problems. The problem with psychiatry is that these are medical doctors trained in the use of medicines, but not so well trained as psychologists in applying behavioral techniques that can be just as effective - and don't rely on drugs. If you throw pills at anxiety, you haven't done anything about the root causes, or the mind's mental framework & associations that cause anxiety reactions. With pills you have only trimmed the branches, not pulled out the roots of the problem.

Hypnotherapy reorganizes your responses to these associations, in 1-6 sessions, is supremely relaxing, and a good deal faster than the very rewarding and esoteric meditation. Further, it provides the guidance of a therapist, and unlike meditation, alters your responses in a directed and permanent way; whereas the risk of meditation is its lack of direction and susceptibility to continuing in problem behavior patterns. Meditation is a great longterm practice and worthy of exploration. Hypnotherapy is a great short term and longterm solution.

Unfortunately since HT is not regulated you get a lot of differing ideas from therapists, some spurious, some sound. Take advantage of my extensive research into various programs. I recommend getting a good clinical hypnotherapist, possibly a graduate of HMI, which is a very good, scientifically-sound program:

http://www.hypnosis.edu/hypnotherapists/search/

I think this is the cheapest, fastest, most effective solution for anxiety. I'd recommend trying this first, before going to the overpriced med-mongers.

Choose a therapist you have a good personal rapport with. This has been scientifically shown to have the greatest effect on positive patient outcomes. They needn't be a licensed psychologist. You want someone who specializes in HT - unless you discover the problem is from a deeper emotional disorder. But if you're basically a high-functioning person, a $50-$150 Clinical Hypnotherapist, and about 1-6 sessions, would probably be enough. Plus it's really enjoyable.

Good health to you!

My video on Clinical Hypnotherapy (3 parts):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJGQ-BgEuIs

 

[Amaris]

Yes. Sometimes I have mild anxiety attacks, other times they're far more severe.
I experience depression symptoms. Both my parents have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder.

J.

 

[Mr Awe]

My Grandmother had anxiety attacks. They started out as what you'd call normal anxiety but a bit above normal. She was always the sort of person who would tend to worry more than most. But, over the years they'd become full blown anxiety attacks.

At one point she started seeing a psychiatrist regularly who would try different medications and tinker with the combinations of medication based on repeated followups and assessment. She's now happier than she's ever been. Not only does she no longer have anxiety attacks she just generally worries less than before.

So, definitely see a psychiatrist and realize that it may take some experimentation and number of followups to get the medication or (as in my Grandmother's case) the combination of medications that are right for you. And, even when you get to the correct combination, that might well change over time. It's an ongoing process.

Mr Awe

 

[DBR]

Anxiety and panic attacks. I tried many different kinds of meds, gave up for a while, then found a psychiatrist who I think suits me better.

The last year or so is the most 'normal' I've felt in ages.

My family doctor is a moron. Just thought I'd throw that in.

 

[Rÿcher]

My family doctor is a moron. Just thought I'd throw that in.

Many are.

 

[kitkat]

I have anxiety and get panic attacks from time to time. It had me bordering on agoraphobia for a while but I decided to fight that aspect and make a point of getting out quite often. It seems to have helped. For me, it seems like if I give in to the anxiety it makes it worse. I'm not on any medication for it. My doctor has tried to get me to but I refuse. But let me be clear, I refuse at the point I am now, if it got to be debilitating, I would go on medication. Right now, yoga, meditation, etc. seems to help quite a bit too.

 

[Ohappydagger]

If you throw pills at anxiety, you haven't done anything about the root causes,

Unless your anxiety is a biochemical disorder, in which case throwing, lobbing, or tossing pills in just the right manner can be very effective. Doy.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

CD, thanks for reminding me. A very good friend of mine (with whom I don't get in touch anymore) once recommended meditation to me. She's an Asian lady who knows a great deal about meditation and Eastern philosophy, too.

I've noticed that a lot of techniques that therapsts and counselors are using these days are borrowing from meditation and Buddhist practices. The book my counselor recommended for me when I finished my sessions is heavily influenced by Buddist practices. And I continually return to one of my Buddhist books to refresh how I'm practicing meditation.

I also burn sandalwood incense to help calm me down. What I've really loved about studying meditation and Buddhism is that it's a way to totatlly change the way I look at life, trouble and how I react to it. The meds help a lot, but for me I think Buddhism and meditating are going to be the best ways for dealing with my anxiety.

And I wish the best of luck to you all. Anxiety and/or depression is a horrible thing to deal with, and it takes a LONG time to figure out the best treatment method.

 

[Barbados Slim]

I've had one anxiety attack and I suffer from fairly severe depression. I go through what I call blue periods in which I just hunker down, try to distract myself with TV or a book and isolate myself from others. It goes away after a week or two. Even when I'm feeling okay I'll have an anxious moment when I wake up in the morning and I'll freak out, like a flood of anxious things will rush to the forefront of my mind. I have to force myself to not think of anything until I get to the shower. It's extremely rare to wake up with that ready to face the day feeling with birds chirping and coffee brewing.

I don't want meds to deal with it because I believe it's better for me to control my thoughts and change my environment to make myself happy. It's hard to deal with and it makes me anxious that I'll experience the great moments of life and not appreciate the joy that it'll bring until long afterward.

I went to a Kaiser-Permenante therapist once. She had me dig up a bunch of old shit, said, "See, isn't it better to talk about it?" and sent me on my way. I went into the deepest blue period in years and haven't gone back since. It was so impersonal and embarrassing. And I do talk about my stuff with friends exhaustively so it wasn't like I was suppressing things. She just made me feel like the girl in Showgirls. "Put the ice on your nipples!" Humiliated.

 

[Triskelion]

If you throw pills at anxiety, you haven't done anything about the root causes,

Unless your anxiety is a biochemical disorder, in which case throwing, lobbing, or tossing pills in just the right manner can be very effective. Doy.

Perhaps you should have read the whole post.

 

[RandyS]

Thank you all. RandyS, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Meds are a hit-or-miss, and in some cases, certain antidepressants may worsen the feeling of depression, causing thoughts of suicide.

Thanks.

How are you getting on?

 

[Gryffindorian]

Thank you all. RandyS, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Meds are a hit-or-miss, and in some cases, certain antidepressants may worsen the feeling of depression, causing thoughts of suicide.

Thanks.

How are you getting on?

Thank you all for the feedback. You've been very helpful.

RandyS, I'm still on Prozac (although it's mainly an antidepressant that also treats symptoms of anxiety), and it's done wonders for me these years. Lately, though, for some reason I can't determine, I seem to be more anxious. I know I have issues I have to deal with, but I usually deal with stress without being anxious.

Hypnotherapy sounds like an effective treatment, though at this point, it's not something I'm ready to consider.

Meditation and Eastern studies are also more mind-oriented and tend to aid those afflicted with anxiety disorders.

 

[melancholymecha]

Ive had general & social anxiety all my life and was also diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome a few years ago. I'm now on Lexapro, but I also need to see a therapist to learn how to deal (manage) my anxiety since much of it is situational. For instance last month I had to drive my grandparents to my aunt's house & I got lost & I started to get really nervous, I called my aunt & my mom for directions but I was so nervous that I couldnt follow them and started crying hysterically(I guess it was a panic attack) & had to go back home. I have trouble doing more than one task at the same time like talking/following directions on the phone & driving, especially when I'm anxious.

 

[Holdfast]

She just made me feel like the girl in Showgirls. "Put the ice on your nipples!" Humiliated.

Sorry, but this has to be the funniest comparison I've read in a long time.

 

[Trippy]

Yes, I have. I have GAD too. It started when I was 10. I do not medicate. My doctor wanted to put me on Zoloft, but I refused. I find that exercise, diet, my weight loss, and yoga/meditation keeps me somewhat balanced. I still have anxiety attacks, but they are manageable by breathing techniques I've learned over the years.

It's probably heriditary in my instance. My mom was a manic depressive (now called bipolar) and her mother had anxiety issues as well (though not diagnosed back then).

 

[Barbados Slim]

She just made me feel like the girl in Showgirls. "Put the ice on your nipples!" Humiliated.

Sorry, but this has to be the funniest comparison I've read in a long time.

I hear a lot of people talk about yoga and meditation. Is that a pretty good alternative to meds?

 

[Gryffindorian]

Thanks. Good luck to you all.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I might.

I don't think it's bad enough to make me take meds, though.