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Back at therapy with a new goal

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 6/12/2018 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all, been suffering pretty bad with anxiety and depression since I stopped my medication a few months ago. It seems Mirtazapine did a good job of blocking anxious symptoms!

I decided to try the none medicinal method this time so Ive taken my therapy back up. And it was very interesting what was discussed.

Something really bad happened to me last year and seems I have developed some form of GAD that comes and goes. There may also be a bit of PTSD in there but we arent sure yet.

So i discussed to the therapist that i feel great for weeks or months until something triggers me that reminds me of how i was when I first fell ill. He said that exposure therapy would be best to tackle this. To try and stop me panicking when i am reminded of certain past events.

Has anyone else heard of exposure therapy? I must admit my anxiety has risen since the session today, recalling everything that happened to me last year. Im hoping that by tackling my fears I can avoid any major panic next time a potential trigger comes along. Which it will!

Thoughts welcome.
Posted 6/12/2018 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ox,

Well done on returning to therapy in order to build your toolbox whilst going med free! It is always a good plan to build up your skills in other areas when one tool is discontinued!

Exposure therapy is a well known technique, especially used in dealing with phobias.

I would say give it a try, but set your own pace. Be sure and speak up if you feel overwhelmed at any point. Pushing forward is part of the technique, but also keep within your comfort zone.

Best wishes on your first session and do keep us updated, okay? We'll keep you cheered on.😁

S.C
Posted 6/13/2018 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I'm also pleased to hear you are back in therapy.

I have done exposure therapy and did find it hard but it did work so worth putting in the effort which is required.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 6/13/2018 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ox,

Ox123 said...
Something really bad happened to me last year and seems I have developed some form of GAD that comes and goes. There may also be a bit of PTSD in there but we arent sure yet.

There is a diagnostic criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). If you meet the criteria then you have PTSD, if you don't meet the criteria it's not PTSD. Here is the information about diagnosing PTSD:
https://www.brainline.org/article/dsm-5-criteria-ptsd

Hoping you don't have PTSD.

Post Edited (Snoopy) : 6/13/2018 9:36:59 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/14/2018 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Exposure therapy is a great tool, but go slow. If you force too much too fast it can be too much and increase anxiety. It's good to push yourself, just not too hard.
Posted 6/14/2018 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all thanks for the replies. I will speak about the ptsd diagnostics next week at my seasion. Although im not getting nightmares or flashbacks of the event. Only bad feelings.

Will be sure to go slow!
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