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Avatar universal

Hypnotherapy versus drugs?

Hi, I am 37 years old and have suffered mild anxiety for as long as I can remember.  I have been perscribed xanax for over 12 years now.  I have only taken .25 miligrams once a day maybe 3-4 times a week with the exception of taking .5 miligrams once in a while when I feel I am going to be in a "situation" (which I will explain in a minute), or 2 miligrams (when I have to fly in an airplane).
Situations have flared from mild to bothersome.  Let me start out by stating I am EXTREMLY VOMIT PHOBIC.  I haven't thrown up since I was about 6 or 7.  I can't watch it on TV...if my boyfriend is sick from drinking I have to go to a hotel...i am excessive with washing my hands with antibacterial stuff & dermal defense, and now have troubles going out to eat because of contamination to food.  I get bouts of diarrea due to IBS which I know is egged on by my mind as well.  
I know that I can think myself into a panic attack...if I go out to a restaraunt I find myself taking a xanax & immodium in fear of getting sick and diarrea.  I don't want to have babies because of the morning sickness...I need to get dental work, but am afraid of gaging & getting sick.  I fear if I ever get cancer because the way I am now I could never get cemo because of the sickness.  I beleive this is the root to all my anxiety that melds into other things, like I also get anxiety due to clausterphobia..I can't drive passenger (Haven't been able to for years), I hate driving on the highway in case I get stuck in a traffic jam, and freaked out when I drove the the mountains in vegas because I couldn't see the horizon. I am always in fear of getting sick!  I tend to hide these things pretty good because xanax helps to releive these thoughts to an extent, but I notice things are starting to get a little more out of control and I don't want to end up angoraphobic. Lately, I find myself taking a .25 of xanax almost every time I am out of my every day routine or somewhere unfamiliar.  I am already stressing about a trip to vegas in May (which I have flown quite a bit in the past few years (xanax curbs the flight nerves), but it seems to be getting worse. While in Cancun last year, I was so keyed up every day I just took one for precaution.   My questions are, am I addicted to xanax?  Is what I take too much to just take a couple times a week or should I take it continually?  I have been reading about hypnotherapy...is it something that could help?  I get worried I would be bad at hypnotherapy because I would not be able to relax and would want to take a xanax before and wouldn't that defeat the purpose?  I actually would love to get hypnotized for A. the vomit phobia, B. Smoking C. Weight Loss D. general anxiety...is it possible for hypnotherapy to help eleviate all these ailments?  I don't want to be dependant on xanax and I don't want this to spiral more out of control.  I know that occupying my mind is key to distracting these things, but it's hard to shut your brain off!!!  Thank  You
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242532 tn?1269550379
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hypnotherapy can be useful but should be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist who is also a therapist so that it is done with understanding and can lead to talk and insight.
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Avatar universal
I paid a donation fee and am still waiting for a response from a professional.   What is the deal????
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Avatar universal
You should definately look into a qualified hypnotherapist.  I've been seeing one for about two month now and I've explored feelings I didn't even know existed.  I suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and OCD.  I've had about ten sessions now and every penny has been worth it.  It's better than any medication I've ever been on (still on 200mg of Zoloft).  Every time I've reduced my medication in relation to my therapy I've felt better.  I'm still having issues, but I think the medication is doing more harm than good. I can give you the information for mine and she might be able to refer someone to you in your area.

Hope this helps,

Skids
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the input.  I read your post after I posted mine which had similiar questions about the hypnotherapy.  I am still waiting for my advice from the forum though!  My e-mail adress is ***@****  that would be great if you could pass my info on.  If you e-mail me I can give you my location & more info!

Thanks again, Maria
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