Not sure if my therapist is right for me (advice, anyone?)
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello everyone, I’m fairly new to these types of forums. Let me give you a little background information before I begin with my main question. I’m a 23 year old female who has been suffering from panic attacks and really bad anxiety. I started having panic attacks about 5 months ago. The first months probably consisted of at least one panic attack every week, but haven’t had one in about 4 months. However, I live with the constant fear of having another one. My anxiety level is slowly (very slowly) going back down to baseline, but still isn’t near my anxiety level pre-panic attack. As a consequence, I stopped driving, had to quit my new job, cannot be left alone, rarely go out, unless it’s in the company of my ‘safety person’ aka my boyfriend, and I pretty much avoid going anywhere that’s not within the 5 mile radius from my home. I also find it important to mention I've dealt with depression on and off for about 7 years now.
I know I need help, which is why I sought therapy, BUT I feel that my therapist might not be right for me. I’ve read numerous articles, research papers, and books that mention CBT as being really successful in treating anxiety and panic disorder, even though I do not meet the criteria for PD. In addition to that are therapies like interoceptive exposure.
The thing is…she isn’t doing any of that. All she says is that it is in the mind and that the first step is thinking positive. I GET THAT. But HOW do I start thinking positive? I mean, if I knew how I would’ve tried long ago. I need some kind of structure so that I can track my progress. I need a consistent plan. For example, “everytime you have a negative thought, stop yourself and replace it with a positive one” OR “whenever you are feeling anxious, stop where you are and deep breath for five minutes”. She gives me strategies, but never a schedule I can follow. And the most upsetting part is that when I asked about CBT workbooks, SHE SAID THERE WERE NONE. That is not true, but I thought it would be good to mention it. She didn’t even consider CBT at all. I trust her enough to follow her treatment plan, but after 4 months in therapy I feel it is going no where.
I just feel so hopeless because I feel like I have to make my own treatment plan. Hell, I barely have the motivation to get out of bed sometimes.
Should I look for a therapist elsewhere?
1 like, 34 replies
Guest mitch16467
Posted
Is it easy to switch?
Have you told yout therapist that you dont like the methods being used?
mitch16467 Guest
Posted
I don't know how easy it is to switch, but I definitely can. My therapist warned me that since she had a large case load, I would only be able to see her every three weeks--at the very best. She also mentioned that if this was an issue I could always get services elsewhere so that I could get therapy more frequently.
I haven't mentioned anything in particular yet because I know she's the expert you know? I did mentioned that I wanted a bit more structure (i.e. use of worksheets to track thoughts)--and she corrected me by saying "I think you mean you're more of a visual learner". I'm pretty sure I meant exactly what I said, but I realized she was going to interpret things her way so it just wasn't worth arguing.
Guest mitch16467
Posted
Are you in school or do you have a job?
mitch16467 Guest
Posted
Guest mitch16467
Posted
Have you checked if yours does?
mitch16467 Guest
Posted
Guest mitch16467
Posted
They make had a crisis protocol so you might be able to get it faster.
Can you keep us posted?
mitch16467 Guest
Posted
Guest mitch16467
Posted
how are you practicing CBT on your own?
Mynameisalyss mitch16467
Posted
lee12629 Mynameisalyss
Posted
mitch16467 Mynameisalyss
Posted
My doctor and therapist have been pushing medication for a while now, but honestly I'm scared. I don't want to feel how I felt that first week after my first panic attack, which lasted nearly two hours mind you. It has been the worst time in my life so far. My body went completely out of whack for an entire week. Chest was sore, resting heart rate above 100, even feeling "full" would make me panic, constant diziness, palpitations, cold skin one minute and then completely hot the next, derealization, I mean you NAME IT! I do not want to feel that again and I know medication can increase anxiety for the first few weeks.
I also fear the downward spiral after getting off of it. I a teeny tiny bit of hope that I can slowly recover without it, but I loose more and more hope everyday to be honest. I feel like I'm going to live with this for the rest of my life--and that depresses me even more. But I've told my family that if progress isn't good by the end of this year--I'm going on medication. I can't live like this forever.
I bet you must be having a rough time, but like you said--if you did it once, you can do it again. I believe that anyone who has expriences anxiety and panic is a strong person. I cannot tell you how many times I've thought (not considered) about suicide and continue to wake up to a new day every day. With fear, but I still do it.
Thank you for replying. It's great to know that there are others like me who are still here to talk about their victories. Keep fighting!
Mynameisalyss mitch16467
Posted
The Come off of Zoloft wasn't fun. I wasn't warned in advance. I thought I had a 24 hour stomach virus. But after 24 hours it was still there. I went to the doctor and they said I was withdrawing. Like why wouldn't they prepare me for this? I thought I was dying. My anxiety was running wild. I wanted to go to the ER the night before the doctor. It was a mess.
I know sometimes sucide comes to mind but be strong! Suicide has never solved anything. Going and conquering your anxiety and depression will solve it. Everything happens for a reason. You get kicked down to come back stronger. I truly believe that. I lost my uncle to suicide. He took his life on temporary feelings.
I have to thank everyone who I talked to these past few days even on other forums. I honestly don't think I could be this confident without them. I saw I wasn't the only one going through it and it felt so comforting.
lee12629 mitch16467
Posted
mitch16467 Mynameisalyss
Posted
How long were you on the meds for before you decided it was time to taper off? That's also an issue I've thought about a lot. Should I stay on it a few months? Half a year? More than a year? --In another words, how do you know you're ready?
So are you feeling a bit better as the weeks go by now that you've stopped medication?
Sorry for so many questions, but all of this is useful information! I love hearing other's experiences. It gives me hope.
Wow, I cannot imagine how hard it must be to lose someone to suicide. The mind is so darn powerful. I just wish it didn't have the power to take someone's life. Unfortunately, some of us feel pain and disappointment down to our very core--and eventually that takes a toll.
Mynameisalyss mitch16467
Posted
I was on Zoloft for 2 years. The doctor told me my weight gain was from the drug and insisted I come off it. I agreed because what did I know. Doctors know best. Worst decision of my life. My life was in shambles. I coolest function. I never should have came off.
The way I see it is if the drug is working for you, why come off it? Unless it's like really a health concern (pregnant and the med will effect the baby, etc). Zoloft is okay to take while pregnant which is a relief to me lol.
I'm back on Zoloft. Third week now. And I'm feeling amazing. Back to normal self.