Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 297156

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Question about anxiety and treatment

Posted by Siraris on January 6, 2004, at 12:28:32

I have a very strange issue with my anxiety. I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder 7 years ago. The problem that I have is, I don't know what I'm anxious about. Honestly I will be sitting somewhere, lets say watching a movie, and all of a sudden, I will start focusing on my breathing for some reason, and start to actually have to breathe manually, it doesn't happen unconciously. Then I start feeling anxious and it snowballs (although since I'm on meds it doesn't really get that bad). It's getting very frustrating, as I am not sitting here thinking "I'm going to die I'm going to die" or I'm not panicing in a car saying "I'm going to get into an accident" or "I'm going to pass out and crash".

I really would like to get off my medication and just deal with my issues myself, because I think my medication may be contributing to cognitive and memory loss.

My friend pointed me towards NLP (Neuro-Lingustic Programming) and it sounds extremely interesting. In my studies of psychology, I have found out that hypnosis is not a quack sort of process, it really works. I was just wondering if anyone here has tried it, and what they've encountered? I know I read some people are skeptical of it, and think it's bs, but that's just people being skeptical. There's no harm in trying it.

Another reason why I am thinking that it may work, is that my father saw on TV the other day, on 60 minutes or 48 hours or something like that, where 8 graudates from the same High School class all were very overweight and wanted to lose weight. They all did different diets, such as Atkins, Southbeach, exercise etc. The person who lost the most weight out of all 8 was a guy who did Hypnotherapy. I personally did Atkins this summer to lose some weight, and found it EXTREMELY successful (I lost 25 lbs and have kept it off), so I was very surprised to hear that something else worked even better, especially something involving hypnosis (I've always wondered why doesn't everyone with problems just goto a hypnotist and they can just wave their hand and you'll think something different).

I'd just like to hear peoples thoughts. I really want to get off my meds, and deal with my problems myself, but I cannot live my life without meds right now.

 

Re: Question about anxiety and treatment » Siraris

Posted by Poet on January 6, 2004, at 14:27:09

In reply to Question about anxiety and treatment, posted by Siraris on January 6, 2004, at 12:28:32

Hi,

The program was Dateline, I saw it, too. I have done guided imagery which is similar to hypnosis in that the brain takes in positive and guiding messages which sink into the subconscious. I visualize myself in a safe place, seeing good things happen for me, seeing myself as a better person.

My therapist does guided imagery with me, and has recommended a bunch of CDs. She really believes in it.

My husband has had hypnosis and he says if you keep listening to the tapes it absolutely works. He did it for concentration, keep his mind from wandering taking tests, etc. It worked for exam "anxiety." The guy on Dateline admitted he stopped listening to his tapes. You have to keep listening, you can't just stop and expect it to stick.

I have social anxiety, so I know how maddening it is for your heart to start pounding for no obvious reason. I think guided imagery helps me, not turn anixety into panic.

I am on meds, which I know help, but meds aren't the cure all for me.

Poet

 

Re: Question about anxiety and treatment » Siraris

Posted by judy1 on January 7, 2004, at 9:52:12

In reply to Question about anxiety and treatment, posted by Siraris on January 6, 2004, at 12:28:32

the hallmark of panic disorder are the attacks that come from nowhere, most people don't know what they are actually anxious about. my pdoc's approach is to use meds (benzos) to control the panic and then therapy to teach coping skills and then a gradual weaning of meds. he uses a pretty eclectic approach- some CBT, IPT, etc. he claims to have a fairly high success rate, but does have some patients who have been on benzos for decades and probably always will. I agree about the cognitive effects of meds, and I tend to taper down when I'm feeling well- and go back up if I'm having more panic attacks. overall I'm taking a lower dose of meds than I was a year ago, probably due to me learning better coping skills.
best of luck, judy


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