cognitive behaviour therapy

thanks Kate, yes I did feel it,would be like you describe. However my concern is more about whether it has helped anyone with their symptoms of vertigo.  I know I have always been On the sensitive side my whole life, but have  always been able to,live a normal life, but this problem came on  overnight,which I have been led to believe was probably a virus.  anything else that has developed mind wise has come along due to not getting a diagnosis or treatment that's worked, along with the frustrations of Drs etc pushing me from pillar,to,post.

The aim is to help u think differently no matter what u suffering from Its not going to take your symptoms away but u know that.

I find it very hard as sitting for an hr upset my dizziness is horrid but that doesn't mean it will be the same for u its well worth a try

Well tbh Kate what I want is a treatment for my  symptoms, not my thought processes so I am. Not holding my breath., as when. I asked the Physio  today if it would  help she led me to believe it,would, so now I am feeling more fed up than I was before I left home this morning!

That's interesting how does the physio say it will help ? R they anxiety led or does anxiety play a part ?

well I,m not sure.  we have discussed anxiety of course as obviously most,of   us who have  it long term, especially When it is daily, not 'bouts', get anxious,   so,she seemed to feel as the exercises were not helping I would benefit from the CBT. I'm asked her if other people,she knew that hadn,t responded to the VRT had felt better and she said Yes.  But now reading what,you have  said it makes more sense that the physical,aspect will not be affected in a positive way.  Yes, maybe my attitude will be able,to change a bit, but tbh that very much depends, for me,,on how I am doing on the physical,side of things, and if that,s not improving, then my mindset Isn.t,going to be either.  Have also exchanged this with a friend who,has similar,probs to me and has,actually done CBT and she says it,did not help her at all!  I am not the kind of person who does 'mind over matter' stuff, so it is not looking good, and the time it will take for referral, etc etc, in the meantime going into year 5 of every single,day having symptoms, I am not inclined to be putting out the flags!!!

I found your suspicion to be true when I went for CBT.  I began with a psychologist, and of all things one that had suffered from Meniere's, and all she wanted to do was to try to psycho-analyze me.  I'm sitting there thinking you of all people ought to know that my issue is dealing with the day to day feelings in my head from the dizziness and not that I need to re-visit my childhood.  That is the issue with a psychologist is finding one that can help with the CBT and recognize that it is a coping strategy and not a matter of retraining one's attitudes towards things.  The trouble is that is what they are trained to do, they cannot see our health issue so they think it must be that you had something happen in your past that you need to resolve.

Two good books that helped me that I would recommend are "Panic Attacks Workbook" by David Carbonell and "the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund Bourne.  The Carbonell book was the best to me.  I have found along this journey that only fellow sufferers of this condition understand anything that I say in relation to how it makes you feel and are also the only ones that understand the frustration in being passed from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, seaching for answers.

Hope this helps in your search.  Best of luck with whatever you choose. 

thank tou Teery for confirming my thoughts.  I am sorry to,say that whoever I see will  end up seeing will be getting short shrift from me, because after 4, nearly 5 years of this, and going into my 67th year, I am I. No mood for being bloody analysed.!  I have done, on my own over the years, many types,of introspection, analysis of how I tick etc etc., so,these people who were probably still in school,when I was doing all that, and come along with this new fangled CBT, which is just another name for shrink, are not,going to be very pleased with me I am afraid.  they will,probably report backmthatnimam uncooperative, well,so be it.  I need my symptoms dealing with and then as you,and a lot of us say, my anxiety will,fly out he window!!  

Tbh Terry I don,t get panic attacks, nor am I particularly anxious, I am more fed up, cheesed off and downhearted, annoyed!  (that would be translated into depression no doubt, let,s not even go there!),and I have  told,Dr after Dr, this, but it goes  in one ear and out the other because 'cheesed off' etc doesn't, 'fit' their , whatever it,is they use to translate patients descriptions into medical jargon.   I will,have a look,at the Books you mention on line anyway, thanks again Terry, you,ve been very helpful.

How does this help with Vertigo? I didn't think it was psychological.

After I had a stroke 3 years ago I had CBT and it was brilliant. It does depend on who you get.It really helped me to see things differently.

Would be interested to know how you get on. Are you having this on the NHS or do you have to pay for it. 

Hope it goes well, Pauline

I don,t know about Kate, Pauline, but mine will be on the NHS.  Vertigo,Isn,t in the mind but I think they are coming from the angle of the anxiety it causes.  However u less you can get rid of the symptoms first,,it,s not much of a help I,feel.  another lady on here told me they were asking her about her childhood etc!!!

Hi Laurence, Thank,you also for your experience of CBT.  May inask how long, ie sessions and time you have been doing it?  As you say the relaxation techniques may help a bit and I will take advantage of that (if I get that), up I a. Going to. Ale sure I keep,saying exactly what you,ve said,manat once he symptoms go so,will any anxiety! what these people,don,t get is that the actual  anxiety is worse at the beginning, when than whe  you'd,ve had it long term.  Because after a while you learn to cope,with certain aspects,of the symptoms. and as I am retired I can just go to bed when I am feeling rough,I'm don,t have to get through a work day etc that would,of,course cause  more anxiety.  I guess also, as 

terrynsays, it,s all down to who,you get!!mthanks again Laurence.

Hi Gillian,

I have been suffering with VN for the past 5 months and have not worked for the past 4 months.  I would of had my 4th CBT session yesterday but unfortunately felt to unwell to attend (very dizzy).  No doubt my anxiety will be through the roof on Monday as I will be seeing the neurologits for the results of my MRI/MRA scan, this is when the relaxtion techniques come in useful (together with 2mg of diazipam!), the brethaing and mindfulness techniques do tend to help me to calm down.

I would suggest giving it a go.

best wishes

 

Hi Laurence, hey don,t get anxious over the MRI results, it is usually a anti climax anyway!  Nine and a half times out of ten, they come up as 'normal' (I,ve had three over the 5 years).  they do them To Rule Out stuff, and not really as a diagnostic tool, which is a shame for most of us they could make more use of them I feel. I asked The last time  if they would do it with dye as that shows up small stuff not always seen, but they wouldn't,t, why? God knows!  at least you have a definitive diagnosis, all I  get it. 'Chronic Disequiliberium' which means nowt! don,t know if you have seen the book I recommend people,to look at (on Line), 'The Brain that Changes Itself', someone on a .facebook,page sent me the link and i seem to have got  the whole,book!  Only read the first chapter as thatnismthe one that relates to,our problem.  If you want to PM me with an email address I'll send it to  you and u  can have a butchers  over the weekend before your appointment!

Hi Gillian,

Yes I have seen the first chapter of the book you mention (I looked this up following a reply you made to someone else recently).

I was due to have dye with my scan last Moday but they chose not to inject this in the end as the scan apparently came out very clear.  But I did also inform them that I am allergic to quite a few drugs/medications so they did not want to take the risk.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all pop a pill and our balance and lives would go back to normal.  Unfortunately I am still of the working age (56) so being off work gives me further concerns as I am not sure how much loger my employer will tolerate my sickness.  

Anyway, thanks for your reassurance.

Best wishes

Hi Gillian,

Is there more than one type of Vertigo? as I can't lay down in bed when I have it.  The room starts to spin and I  become increasingly disoriented. 

Regards Pauline

 

Hi Gillian

Looking briefly at the book I think the first 2 chapters would interest me more, the first for Vertigo and the second for the stroke I had 3 years ago.

Like you I am a retired lady and am trying to "rebuild my brain/memory" following the stroke and now Vertigo.I do suffer anxiety attacks. My Counsellor / Psychologist allowed me to talk about what I wanted to talk about. She siad the sessions were for me, not her! 

I found that quite refreshing

Pauline

Oh yes, lots, well. Quite a few. vertigo actually just means symptoms,of dizziness, unbalance etc etc.  Somwcould be BPPV (usually to,do,with crystals as mentioned by others on here), could be Nystagmus, could be Vestibular neuritis. Huge list, best  to,Google ie types of Vertgo, or something like,that and get explanation. 

Well I sincerely hope I get one like you!,