Thoughts on therapy?

[uphill7584]

As a person who has taking just about every medication available for depression and anxiety with little benifit, I am beginning to wonder if therapy is the place for me. Benzos are the only drug that has ever worked for me slightly. All SSRI and other anti-depressants/anxiety meds have made me more anxious or uncomfortable. The effectiveness of the benzos and lack of other options makes me think that therapy could probably be the best option for me.

I my case, it is my brain, my thoughts that get me worked up. I worry about money, failure, the future, my love life, etc, and thats what gets my heart pumping, arms tingling, etc...this is where the benzos come in. But then again their have been instances where I am out of benzos and I just have to break down, by myself or in the company of another person. And once I have verbalized what is freaking me out suddenly that occassional relaxing wave of calm that we all know washes over me. I really think getting in to see a therapist could be the answer to a lot of my issues. I've seen one once and felt wonderful afterward.

Now I do agree that some people do need their medications. I thought I would die if I wasn;t on something for a long time, but like my anxiety itself, I think that is all in my head.

Is anyone out there in the same boat? Have you been in therapy for an extended period of time? How would you compare it to pharmacutical treatment? Can you offer any other advice at all?

[Raine9]

Well, I was in therapy for a few weeks back in October-November.  In the beginning it helped.  The therapist helped me to understand that I was suffering from anxiety.  After awhile though, she didn't help because I understood what  was happening to me and nothing she said, I didn't already know.  Maybe I was seeing her too often...once/week.  Maybe once/month would've been okay.  I've seen other therapists in the past for short periods of time for mild depression.  I didn't care for some of them.  They really didn't seem to give a sh*t about me or my problems.  One therapist I saw would make me wait for 10 minutes in her office while she tended to her personal business.  

I think overall, therapy in combo with meds will help.  The therapist is supposed to help you deal with your problems on your own w/o meds.  When you feel that you can, they slowly ween you off your meds.  That is the plan anyway...

[Barbarella]

I have no use for Therapists.  I'm sure there are good and dedicated ones out there I just have not met them yet.  I've been to numerous Therapists throughout the years due to severe anxiety attacks, white coat hypertension, stress symptoms, you name it I had it.  I spent a lot of money on Therapists.  The ones I came in contact with didn't know **** how to help me.  One of them  while I was spilling my guts out she was in another world thinking about something else.  Another one did her "filing" and other office work while I was talking.  One of them made me yell at chairs, another one (a man) told me "I needed a good screwing" when he didn't even know what my sex life was like at that tim, I constantly switched Therapists after a few months.  I went through this hell with anxiety, panic attacks etc for 30 yrs.

I finally saw an ad in the Enquirer believe it or not about Dr. Weeks, it said she specializes in everything I was going through.  I ordered the book thinking "oh well, what the hell, lets give it one more try".  After I got through reading her book I slept through the whole night for the FIRST time in many years  I kept on reading her book over and over.  Ordered her other two books, and thanks to her, who was an angel send by god I now have my panic attacks 95% under control.  I again can go everywhere, drive my car everywhere without fearing I will die from a panic attack.

I also want to mention I was on almost every tranquelizer and anti depressant on the market.  NONE of them helped me, but made me either very tired if the dosage was to strong, if not strong enough I didn't feel a thing.  The anxiety and the whole nine yards still came to full force.

If I feel I might have a setback I get her book out, read part of it, and before I know it I'm my old self again.  She also talks in length about PVC's for the people on this board who suffer from it.  She will tell you that if your heart is healthy you will NOT drop dead from PVC's, she also talks about other benign heart conditions, stomach conditions, and much more caused by stress and anxiety.

As you can see I helped myself, as for the Therapists I saw I say "tell me something I don't know" they have no clue unless they went through it themselves.

[Barbarella]

CORRECTON:  I meant to say I was 30 yrs old when I found out about the book of Dr. Claire Weeks.  I went through this hell for 15 yrs (I started having panic attacks etc etc at the age of 15)  I went through it for 15 yrs NOT 30 yrs.

[Carey01]

I love her book, too!  I didnt know she had more than one.  I read Hope and Help for your Nerves and it helped so much.  What other books does she have?

[Barbarella]

Peace from Nervous Suffering, Agorophobia, More Help for Your Nerves.

[Carey01]

Thanks -- which one talks about pvc'shat is my main problem right now.  In fact, it is the sole cause of my panic attacks.  I really believe if i could get over that I could get over my PA's.

[Barbarella]

All of them talk about PVC's, don't remember if the book "agorophobia" talks about it but all the others do.

[tke5768]

im in therapy now, and I like my counselor very much. I am releasing alot of emotions, and I feel worse sometimes as I get alot out every week. My couselor says it will get worse before it gets better. I am also not on any meds either. I am on cognitive behavior therapy. You just need to find the right one.