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My Life As Victim - Therapy, Does It Help???

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Posted 6/12/2014 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Does therapy REALLY help? I've been reading self help stuff for decades, majored in Psychology at one point, so... Why haven't I been able to fix myself and what can a stranger do that I haven't already read about trying???

Every one of the hundreds of "self help" articles I google all say in hyper cheerful tones:

Volunteer!!! Join a club/group!!! Do something you love!!!!

I've tried all those things, and still feel like the oddball (you'd never know it, I put up a great front). But I still don't connect well to people. I'm single, no kids/grandkids and just don't "fit in". I find the deeper questions in life important, not the mostly day to day family stuff people tend to be focused on. Never have fit in despite ALL my efforts along the way.

The list of "shrinks" is mighty short that my health insurance covers too.

Blah... Self defeatist, I know...

Thank you for allowing me a place to just say this stuff. I don't know if there are any solutions I have been depressed so long. But this anxiety/panic is just about the worst on top of it all. One life crisis after another with depression in between.

Post Edited (My Anxiety Life) : 6/13/2014 8:56:37 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/12/2014 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely therapy helps. Hopefully you find the right one and click and get the ball rolling. You aren't too old to be helped. I highly recommend CBT. It's great to talk to a professional who's seen & heard it ALL (much worse than you or my problems) and to feel normal then to get advice on how to change our thought patterns. Look for ones that specialize in anxiety & depression.

Have you been on AD's in the past? You say you're just using Xanax now PRN. You're gonna make it bc you're already asking the right questions and being honest. You can do this!

Best wishes!!!
-Lisa
Posted 6/12/2014 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
therapy is fantastic, but it can be totally pointless as well. if you fully engage and do the work you will get sooooo much out of it. and soooo much you will apply to your everday life. furthermore you will be working on those areas that need addressing. once the ball is rolling it is infectious!!! i highly recommend it. onwards and upwards. i send many healing thoughts of compassion your way. feel better soon.
Posted 6/12/2014 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that therapy makes for a wonderful tool. A key aspect to how effective it will be, or can be,....is also tied into what you put into it. So when you're eager to do the work for recovery, the right therapist can be as precious as gold.

Do not be afraid to interview different therapists as well. Finding one uniquely familiar with aspects of your history that you'd like to work on is key. Again, it can be a trial by fire. I've had unfortunate experiences with therapists before, but I've come to learn,...it isn't "therapy" that I was dissatisfied with,...it was the particular "therapist!"

So yes! By all means. Pursue this resource, and trust your gut! :)








M.
Posted 6/13/2014 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi M.A.L.

We often, as anxiety (and/or depression) sufferers, view things in our lives negatively...when in fact sometimes they are postive or simply neutral.

These filters that we look through can be changed however, when we begin to catch ourselves thinking with the old negative patterns.

Here is a link to an on-line therapy site. It refers to the way we perceive things as "wonky thoughts"...which I think is a great way of putting it!

Free on-line CBT programs:

 

 

http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome



I catch myself now with many wonky thoughts a day!! However, if I can identify them...I can change them, and that is really empowering.

I do think that one-on-one therapy is still the ideal goal when thinking of getting help...but this could be a good start in the meantime.:)



Know that you DO fit in here, and are a valued member and part of our community.

Keep posting.:)

S.C.

Posted 6/13/2014 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you... Your responses are what I know is right.

Finding a GOOD therapist is key.. I guess I feel discouraged about this (not sure why, I haven't even tried yet!).

I appreciate the advice, thank you kindly. xo
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