Im looking for help through a therapist, is this advisable?

[Florio]

Hi, I am new in this forum and I've been reading so much about others who are going through the same.
For the first time in my life I am scking for help on a therapist consultation, I just want to work out what's causing all this, the numbness in my arms, fear to die, fear to be left on my own, fear to become a parent, fear of people even!!!, in your experience, is this the best first step? someone out there let me know your thoughts, thanks! Florio

[Florio]

thanks all for your support. I am confident this can only be for the better. I am always inclined to not take meds but indeed it could be a good help for the first time knowing that i can do without. talk soon, florio

[astou]

LET ME TELL YOU , I FELT THE SAME WAY WHEN I FINALLY SAID TO MYSELF TO GO SEE A THERAPIST AND FIVE WEEKS LATER, TODAY BEING MY 5TH SESSION , I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET THERE. I FEEL LIKE IT WAS THE BEST THING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.  I AM STILL NOT ON MEDS AND I DID NOT WANT TO FROM THE BEGINNING. I DID NOT NEED ANYTHING THAY WOULD COVER MY SYMPTOMS, I WANTED  TO TALK ABOUT IT WITH SOMEONE THAT I TRUST. I AM NOT 100% WELL AND I KNOW THAT , BUT I MUST SAY THAT I AM AT LEAST CLOSE. GO SEE YOU THERAPIST IF SHE /HE OR HE IS GOOD, YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY REGRET.  I AM SO GLAD I DID. ALSO YOU ARE ABLE YOU CAN GO TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY AND CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS, I AHVE BEEN READING AND I TRULY BELIEVE  THEY ARE GREAT. HERE ARE THE NAMES(  DON'T PANIC - A GUIDE TO OVERCOMING PANIC ATTACKS) BY SUE BRETON,  ( COPING WITH ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS) BY JORDAN LEE.

IT IS GREAT TO GOT SEE A DOCTOR WHEN WE ARE SICK BUT KNOW WHAT KIND SICKNESS YOU ARE DEALING WITH IS EVEN GREATER

GOOD LUCK  

[cj29]

I just want to echo greenlydia's comments.  Seeking a good therapist for consultation on this is the best way to confront this.  I am a big proponent of medications as long as it is combined with talk therapy.  While medications are great tool in my opinion, it is only part of the puzzle.  Only by confronting and learning about anxiety will you gain long term relief from it.

Xanax is a good med for what it is designed to do, but as greenlydia said it is usually only prescribed for short term use and quite often many people do not follow their doctor's instructions.  In my opinion, short term is okay, but there are many other medications that can be prescribed for long term therapy....welcome to the forum!

[Florio]

Thank you so much for your words. I understand what you are saying about the sanax and I am pretty scared about that one!, I've read from some other members that there are alternatives, I rather have none but perhaps it's ok for the very start. It's very therapeutic already to know that other people have found help and a good way to cope with this affection. I have my first session tomorrow and I am pretty scared about this, I've never been to a psychologist before... thanks again for taking the time. Florio

[RubyWitch]

Welcome to the forum........I'm really glad you found us!
I think seeking the help of a good therapist is an excellent first step! If you go to your regular doctor, they will no doubt give you a DX of anxiety and hand you a script for antianxiety meds and more likely than not, will say nothing about seeing a therapist. The meds will help your symptoms, but as you said yourself, you want to find out WHY you are feeling the way you are. Meds won't do that but your therapist will. He/she MAY recommend that you ask your doc for a short course of antianxiety meds to help you and that's OK, too. The combination of meds and talk therapy work wonders for most people. My only caveat about the meds is to avoid Xanax. It's a great drug but only for VERY short term use. If your therapist recommends meds, and your doc wants to give you Xanax, ask for something else. Read some posts about Xanax here and you'll understand why I've written that.
I wish you the very best in your recovery. Keep us posted, OK? And if you have any questions or just want to talk, we are always here.
Peace
Greenlydia