1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

cognitive therapy?? What do people find helps? If any!

Posted , 8 users are following.

gemma40149
gemma40149

I have had anxiety for 10 years, but the last 6 months it has got really bad! I've Been put on sertraline but i get major anxiety and panic attacks if I take medication. I worry that my body will have a bad reaction to it, and the 1 time I did take it I ended up making my self throw up because I panicked that if it got in my system it would kill me. So I'm trying to find alternative ideas that don't require meds. Has anyone got any experience of cognitive therapies?

Thanks in advance

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • ann55375
    ann55375 gemma40149

    Posted

    I have anxiety which has been here for three years and find that if they give me meds it makes it worse, like inner turmoil. I have tried cbt but cannot get past first phase.  I have lost neatly all my friends and dont know what to do.  I think there are many things out there, meditation, mindfulness etc but i just cant engage, maybe you can see if you can do them.
    • vicky51471
      vicky51471 ann55375

      Posted

      Ann there lots out there for you as well.

      You don't have to be on your own you know.

      You are on here you are giving advice please like you said you can't ingage but I can see you are trying.

      Maybe like me at times I wasn't ready or I didn't click with the person who was trying to help me.

      It's always worth trying different approaches. However what works for one doesn't nessisaraly work for another as to I've found.

      Please keep searching we are here Ann

      Vicky xx

    • KJ1987
      KJ1987 ann55375

      Posted

      Anxiety is an awful thing to experience and that when I was having an episode I thought I was never going to be normal.

      I have tried CBT and it worked for me.  It made me see that I was over generalising my fears and to face them head on.  Don't get me wrong, I was a wreck the first time I went to it and then for the next few sessions.  I had 8 sessions of Level 3 intense therapy once a week and my therapist was amazing!  Now when I go and do things I've not done for a while I always remember to focus on something else so I go panic or feel my heart racing in my chest.

      Maybe CBT isn't for you and you need to have a 1-on-1 therapist or counsellor which is experienced in this field.

      Don't give up hope, it does get better!! x

  • vicky51471
    vicky51471 gemma40149

    Posted

    Hi there gemma

    I say give it a go!!!

    If you are willing to try something new then why not?

    C. B. T. has been around for many years the 1960s in fact I think research started around 1920.

    I have had a personal experience of it and I can say that unfortunately I could not have the full course I had to leave suddenly from where I was living.

    I had six 6 hour sessions all I can say is i am 39 had a lot of meds counseling therapy over the years. I was not hopeful.

    I have to say I was amazed I realised I knew some of the answers to my own questions. That may sound bizarre that's why I say give it a go.it's a process they help.

    It may seem strange at first try not to analyse why they are asking the questions they are . Relax.

    If you go ahead all the best too you. .

    I am begging for them in my catchment area to help me that way its a bit of a battle but I'll get there! !!

    Nothing to loose hey

    Good luck whatever you decide.

    Vicky xxxx

  • ilyar03542
    ilyar03542 gemma40149

    Posted

    Often psychologists are end up being less responsible for what they are feeding their patients with since all accusations towards them can be easily dodged and the poor patient always gets to be blamed for his/her misfortune.  

    I have experience with the medication and it can turn out to be nasty but if you have a compassionate and responsible doctor, someone who is believing you for what you are saying then I would say give it a shot. Else stay away from medication.

    I have no experience with CBT so cannot help you with that.

    I hope the fact that you made yourself throw up (and panicked) should give you the hint that you are partially in charge of your own mental state...! Keep yourself empowered by remembering these sorts of facts.

    Don't smoke weed.

  • jan34534
    jan34534 gemma40149

    Posted

    Yes you may very well respond well to cognitive therapy. Find a counselor who specializes in that.

    other non medication ideas are......

    audio meditations on anxiety, depression, sleeping well, found on you tube.

    they really have helped me. I listen every night with ear buds.

    for immediate help for panic attack, search "panic attack emergency " on you tube.

    the book called Mindfulness is excellent. Teaches how to respond to anxiety to overcome it.   Feel better! 

  • KJ1987
    KJ1987 gemma40149

    Posted

    I found CBT to be successful.  They tailor it to your specific anxiety point and then they help you deal with them head on.

    I had 2 sessions of level 2 therapy but it wasn't strong enough.  I wasn't eating properly, I had complusive shaking, palpatations, dizziness, the whole works and I couldn't concentrate.  But they knew straight away that I needed to have more intense therapy sessions.  I was petrified on my first one when she told me that I had to go in there on my own without my fiance, because I didn't want to be on my own.  But you know what, it made me stronger and more determind to fight the mental illness that I have to live with for the rest of my life but at less intensity.

    CBT isn't for everyone though but give it a go, no harm trying it out.  Also download a mindfullness app you can use either first thing in the morning, during the day or just before bed (it helped me control my body too when I was having an episode) - just don't forget your headphones!

    Let me know what you decide to do and good luck x

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.