Posted by mrtook on January 14, 2011, at 21:22:55
In reply to Re: Online Support Group for Anxiety? » mrtook, posted by Melanie-00 on January 14, 2011, at 18:48:54
This book is very highly recommended from lots of sources....even dr. bob's readers voted it as one of their most recommended (http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/
). It is the book that brought CBT to the masses. It has been in print for >20 years.
I was first suggested this book by my therapist when I first went to see him 6 years ago. (My brother was also recommended this book by his therapist...anxiety definitely runs in families.) I read it then, and I reread it whenever I have spikes in anxiety. Basically it lays out what CBT is and how to practice it yourself. Even if you did go see a therapist to do CBT with them, most of the work of CBT will be done by you as homework.Bibliotherapy using this book has been clinically shown to be effective.
One note, this particular book focuses on Depression, but the ideas pretty much carry over to anxiety without difficulty. I think he did a version that focused more on anxiety but I have not read it so i can't recommend it, but I am sure it is fine.
One other thought, you keep mentioning not wanting to go see a doctor because of cost. I obviously don't know your situation, but it is not insanely expensive to see a psychiatrist. Some of the SSRI's are generic now to so they wouldn't cost a ton more then the supplements you are taking. I know an SSRI has helped me (lexapro...not generic yet), and it meets what you are looking for in that it doesn't mask the anxiety. Another avenue might be to try St. John's Wort as it has a similar function to SSRI's.
Sorry for the ramble. Best of luck. You are obviously very intelligent and striving to get better. You will.
poster:mrtook
thread:976661
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20101202/msgs/976821.html