New to forum, need advice

[InZane4all]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum, well, not really. I'm usually on here reading topics, but I've never really registered until today.

Anyway, I need some opinions. I've had Anxiety/Panic Attacks for quite some time now. I may be also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as I had an SAH (Subarachnoid Hemorrhage) in January, which has made me very paranoid. I've taken medication prescribed by doctors, which is usually Xanax. Bottom line: I hate taking these medications. they make me feel like crap. Sure my Axiety/Panic Attacks seem to go away, but the side effects aren't worth it.

I'm looking at seeing a Psych on a regular basis to see what the hell is going on. A friend of mine has told me over and over that Psych's will screw my mind even more and all they will do is take my money. I understand his concerns, but I am just tired of feeling this way.

Anyone here have any good experiences with a Psych? I understand that both medication and cognitive therapy are used in order to treat this, and I am willing to go through with it if it's worth it. Thanks for any responds.

[bba]

I have been to a number of counselor's and each one has helped me a little, but there is not one that has helped me completely. But little by little i took some of their comments and insights and my perception has changed for the better.

[Robbed]

I actually tried seeing four psychologists when my anxiety condition started almost two years ago. And I was not too impressed with ANY of them. Yes, they took my money. And yes, they poked and prodded at me to get on antidepressants, which I did NOT want to take. But no, they didn't screw up my mind. After all, they DON'T have supernatural powers. So at least this is something you don't have to worry about.

As for medications, regardless of what you are told by ANYONE, they are not, I repeat, NOT essential for the treatment of anxiety disorder. Indeed, I think they can do more harm than good for MANY, and are best left as a treatment of last resort. This brings up something important about therapists. If you DON'T want to take medications, I recommend you ask the therapist BEFOREHAND whether they have a problem with you NOT taking medications. This is important, as it improves your chances of finding a therapist who is willing to respect your wishes. I also FIRMLY believe that you will find a better therapist in this way. I think MANY therapists hope meds will make the patient feel better, and that the patient will attribute this to therapy.

As for what is going on with you, there is nothing TOO unusual about it. You had a medical condition that scared the crap out of you, and caused you ALOT of stress. This caused you to develop an anxiety condition. The anxiety condition has been causing you to have all kinds of strange and scary symptoms (like panic attacks), which (now that your original medical condition is resolved) are the NEW focus of your worries. These symptoms get you scared, which causes you stress. And this stress causes more symptoms. This is a cycle you need to break if you want to get out of your anxiety disorder. When you feel a strange symptom such as panic, just remember that it is the result of your anxiety disorder. Realize that it is nothing harmful, and that it will pass with time. Also, realize that, as your overall stress levels decrease, so will the frequency and intensity of your symptoms (until they disappear altogether). Also realize that your symptoms will come for no good reason, and will a times seem to get worse for a while (before getting better again). This is all the norm when it comes to anxiety recovery.

[thehatchedegg]

It really is about changing your patterns. The more your mind & body get used to the pattern of how to deal with the stress & anxiety it develops more severe reactions.

A great way to see what is triggering your feeling is to carry a journal, keep track of foods and stress triggers. Soon you will realize what helps you to avoid the stress response.

Exercise also does wonders. I do believe in getting help, but for me I made my recovery my hobby and put everything into getting better. I also learned how to recover without the medication. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.

Wishing you the best,
Amy

[Robbed]

I do believe in getting help

Help would sure be nice. But I felt like the quagmire of doctors, therapists, and medications just seemed so counterproductive to recovery. It would SURE be nice to actually be able to talk with someone who knows what recovery is all about, and who knows how to get there. But it just seems like my anxiety problem would probably be resolved by the time I actually found such a person.