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What therapy worked best for you?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 4/18/2015 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
My question: what form of therapy has worked best for you in overcoming anxiety? I see a therapist and we mainly do "talk therapy." We just sort of discuss what's going on in my life. I do not, however, feel we properly address my anxiety issue. I've mainly beed advised to practice deep breathing and that's really the extent of the advice.

So I am asking to hear what has helped you the best. What form of therapy has offered you the most relief and management of your anxiety? I'm tired of this controlling me and I am truly looking to find the best way to help myself. Perhaps a new therapist as well is what I need. Which brings me to another question: how did you find a therapist that helped the most? How did you research your options?

Thank you for any advice or recommendations and I thank you for reading my lengthy, question-filled post. I know there is something out there that will help me. I just haven't found it yet. yeah
Posted 4/19/2015 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I goto a CBT group therapy weekly and also just started an anxiety group based on mindfullness. I have to say I like the mindfullness alot. There is a couple links to some short video's in our resource thread. I also go bi-weekly to see my therapist which is basically talk therapy.

It takes awhile to sometimes to get in synx with your therapist but if you are not getting what you need, speak up and see if she can teach you some CBT, if she can't there is nothing wrong with finding a new therapist.

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Posted 4/19/2015 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
I basically developed my own coping methods over the years. I keep myself so busy that I don't have any time to dwell. But of course from time to time that all catches up with me because I overextend myself which causes stress as well.
I have a prescrip for xannax which I reserve for times I am very anxious. Generally I am able to take 1/2 a tablet with adequate result.
Quiet moments when I go to bed and try to sleep are the most difficult for me. That's when all the what if racing thoughts begin...
Soooooo to cope I have been taking 5 mg of melatonin 1/2 hr before I want to sleep and watch youtube mindful meditation videos and it has been helping immensely.

I think I would enjoy talk therapy but I have found that good therapists are few and far between. This is based on others seeking them in this area. I also don't have time to devote to an appt. I think phone or online sessions would be a great idea for someone to start a practice in.

Coming here for peer support (friend) is very beneficial as well.

Wishing you all the best
Posted 4/19/2015 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Liz, and great questions!

Talk therapy has its merits, but there are other options that go beyond this practice...and enable the participant to be much more pro-active in their anxiety management.

CBT as AngeLisa mentions, works under the belief that our thoughts directly influence our emotions/moods and ultimately our behavior.

If we learn the tools to challenge the negative/ fearful thoughts...we can therefore lessen our anxiety.

There are also other forms and techniques such as EMD or EFT used for unlocking deep rooted trauma, among other issues...or even hypnosis therapy. Exposure therapy works well for phobias...and biofeedback has been helpful for some as well.

I do personally recommend CBT as AngeLisa does...and think that asking your therapist if she can take you through it as she suggested, is a great idea.:)

We also have CBT worksheet downloads in our Resources. If you'd like to check them out...take a look to get an idea of what the material looks like.

Best wishes with whatever you decide to try.

S.C.
Posted 4/19/2015 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
For me CBT therapy, meditation, breathing techniques, this forum, and music help me get by. Keep on trying until you find what works for you.
Posted 4/19/2015 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I am pleased to hear you are looking for the best option to help you with your anxiety.

There are many different types of talking therapy to help with anxiety and as the others have mentioned CBT is the most used of these therapies as it has the most evidence that it works well so it is worth looking into. I have done it a couple of times and did find it useful and still use all the coping skills I learned during my sessions of CBT.

I have done other therapies as well and the ones I liked the best were Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT) which is much more in depth than CBT and a lot longer. I have also done Mindfulness Meditation which I have found really useful it takes a while to master but worth putting in the effort. The most effective therapy I have done is the one which I am currently doing which is called Schema Therapy which is by far the best therapy I have done and is really in depth and challenging and lasts a long time in some cases up to a year.

I hope you find something that helps you soon have a look at our resources thread for some useful links to self help guides.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 4/19/2015 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
it is not anxiety specific. but i still use it. DBT. now being used a lot more widely than in it's infancy and throughout until recently for borderline personality disorder, in the main and personality disorders. has an excellent tool based, model specific components.
Posted 4/19/2015 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Happy turtle, If I may ask, did you attend a DBT program or individual therapy?
Posted 4/20/2015 8:39 AM (GMT 0)
HI BECKYS. program. six month inpatient psycho-social rehabilitation program. was dx with severe borderline personality disorder at the time. i currently use mindfulness and emotion regulation components. thx for asking. very good stuff. intense, but the benefits are amazing. healing thoughts.
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