Getting help

[richi1173]

I have been fearful on getting help with my anxiety since I was in middle school. Although I knew the resources were available, I was generally too afraid and embarrassed to seek help. Now, I regret not doing it, and my resources to combat this thing have become restricted since I lost my public insurance.

So, if you have gone or are in therapy right now, I want to know how you did it. Like what pushed you and how was it. Where the doctors and your family understanding? What about people in general if you told them you had an anxiety disorder? How much did the therapy help? What kind of therapy did they recommend for you: CBT, social skill, medication ect.?

To the point, I want to hear your story when you went to get help. I want to hear your experiences which will hopefully inspire us that have not been to the doctor to seek help and not be so afraid about social embarrassment.

 

[Enialis227]

I am 19, and I have had social phobia since 1st grade, but I have only recently gotten help from a doctor. It wasn't easy. After I made the appointment, I was a nervous wreck for an entire week, missing classes and failing quizzes. But when I finally got there, and started talking, everything came out. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
Since then, my life has been better than I thought possible. He prescribed me paxil, and eventually xanax.Those took all of my anxiety away. I have even been able to talk to my teachers about my situation. They were extremely understanding (the ones I have talked to so far anyway) and they gave me some leniency on missed days and whatnot.
Even if you don't like the idea of taking medication, a doctor will be able to tell you where to start with therapy.

Talking to my doctor about my problems (I've got bipolar disorder as well) was the best thing I have ever done. I don't think you'll regret it if you decide to go, and my advice is to talk to your doctor or a psychologist/psychiatrist.

 

[exquisite]

I am 19, and I have had social phobia since 1st grade, but I have only recently gotten help from a doctor. It wasn't easy. After I made the appointment, I was a nervous wreck for an entire week, missing classes and failing quizzes. But when I finally got there, and started talking, everything came out. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
Since then, my life has been better than I thought possible. He prescribed me paxil, and eventually xanax.Those took all of my anxiety away. I have even been able to talk to my teachers about my situation. They were extremely understanding (the ones I have talked to so far anyway) and they gave me some leniency on missed days and whatnot.
Even if you don't like the idea of taking medication, a doctor will be able to tell you where to start with therapy.

Talking to my doctor about my problems (I've got bipolar disorder as well) was the best thing I have ever done. I don't think you'll regret it if you decide to go, and my advice is to talk to your doctor or a psychologist/psychiatrist.

this is such a great question. i just recently discovered that i have a social phobia..& i desperately want to seek treatment..i just have absolutely no idea where to start.. i dont have any insurance, & i wont really be able to afford to go to a doctor.. & when i told my mom about it, just a few days ago actually, she just kinda listened but didnt really give me any advice. how would someone go about finding a doctor?

 

[Plissken]

The only reason I ever got the chance to go to counseling was because my mom forced me into it. I have no insurance either, but she scheduled an appointment with our countys mental health thing, where they diagnosed me and set me up with a mental health clinic and paid for it too, medication and all. If you live in the United States, try to look up something with your county, they might pay for it.

The only reason I was able to even make it there was because my mom pushed me into it, otherwise I would have continued hiding. And then, what do you know, after half a year I just stopped going because I was too afraid because we were getting to the hard stuff like getting a job. I haven't been for a year so I wasted my only shot at being normal. I should have at least learned how to go on disability welfare for the money but I messed things up and let my mom down.

I mean, too much real talk there but I'm saying you might need someone to help you depending on how bad your anxiety is. That's how I did it or started to do it.

 

[exquisite]

The only reason I ever got the chance to go to counseling was because my mom forced me into it. I have no insurance either, but she scheduled an appointment with our countys mental health thing, where they diagnosed me and set me up with a mental health clinic and paid for it too, medication and all. If you live in the United States, try to look up something with your county, they might pay for it.

The only reason I was able to even make it there was because my mom pushed me into it, otherwise I would have continued hiding. And then, what do you know, after half a year I just stopped going because I was too afraid because we were getting to the hard stuff like getting a job. I haven't been for a year so I wasted my only shot at being normal. I should have at least learned how to go on disability welfare for the money but I messed things up and let my mom down.

I mean, too much real talk there but I'm saying you might need someone to help you depending on how bad your anxiety is. That's how I did it or started to do it.

well, i mean, i always knew i acted & felt a little different, but i didn't actually realize how much of a problem it was until i tried to have a relationship...i was crazy for the guy, but i couldnt even kiss or hug him without the feeling of disgust, discomfort, or extreme fear. so i just decided for myself that this is something that i need to change..i hate to admit this, but my biggest fear in life is ending up alone.
i live in the states, im actually a college student, so i was thinking about trying to find a counselor on campus..but even the thought of telling anyone other than my 2 best friends and my mom [who i could barely admit it to, btw], is debilitating. im terrified, but not only that, i have a huge ego, but i know i need help.
but you know, its never too late. you can always start treatment again. as long as youre trying, thats improving in itself.

 

[lunarla]

I went into counseling last summer for my anxiety and dysthymia. I haven't taken any prescribed medications for it because I'd really like to avoid that route if possible. I did the cognitive behavioral therapy thing and trying to learn new coping skills and what not and I definitely think it helped me to an extent. I think the biggest thing for me was talking to someone. Just letting everything out. Even if you dread that, it really does help, I think. At least for me it did. Also one of the biggest things I've found and probably what a counselor would (or should) definitely tell you is to exercise at least a bit in your day and eat right and mealssssssssss. Don't skip breakfast. Sounds so simple and irrelevant, but it made me feel a whole lot better.

I periodically had counseling this summer too for my insecurity which was getting out of hand, but I had to go to a different counselor which was hard developing that relationship with someone new and with an entire different approach. Needless to say, it didn't seem to be as effective for me, though it did relieve me a bit just getting to talk to someone about it again.

Right now I'm just trying to do things that make me feel good.

 

[Enialis227]

well, i mean, i always knew i acted & felt a little different, but i didn't actually realize how much of a problem it was until i tried to have a relationship...i was crazy for the guy, but i couldnt even kiss or hug him without the feeling of disgust, discomfort, or extreme fear. so i just decided for myself that this is something that i need to change..i hate to admit this, but my biggest fear in life is ending up alone.
i live in the states, im actually a college student, so i was thinking about trying to find a counselor on campus..but even the thought of telling anyone other than my 2 best friends and my mom [who i could barely admit it to, btw], is debilitating. im terrified, but not only that, i have a huge ego, but i know i need help.
but you know, its never too late. you can always start treatment again. as long as youre trying, thats improving in itself.

Yes, I think you should go talk to the counsellor on campus. Do whatever it takes to make yourself go. A good way to start is by talking as much about your problem as you can to some of your friends and family, but only the people that you think would be supportive. The more you talk about it with people you know, the easier it will be to go to a counsellor. Tell them that you want to seek help, they may encourage you. Expect to dread the appointment for days, though. I know this isn't very helpful, but you just have to find some way through it.

 

[slicknsly]

I am in pretty much the same situation as exquisite. I am in college, I have no insurance or anything like that and no money to pay. But i havent told my father or anyone that i believe i have this anxiety disorder. I have always been the one in my family with the "brains" and have always been more of a stick in the mud than they are. I dont think they will be able to deal with me having some probelem like this. I think they think my odd socialization is a passing thing and that i can overcome anything. They also tell me they just dont understand why I did so poorly in H.S. having to repeat a year.

first off i dont know what to say. because if i tell them i dont like being around so many people and socializing in certain ways, my dad is the type to have never heard of this type of this disorder and will just write me off as sensitive,soft and or wierd. I havent told him of my adrenaline rushes in class or how i cant socialize.They will think its something i just need to get over. But i have tried, and have improved on my own a little bit, but i dont think this will ever go away. Some days are good whil others are real bad. I'm sure he sees i cant even look him in they eye somtimes, and for a while he just thought i was gay. No disrespect to gays but it infuriates me if thats what someone thinks to a point where think some pretty bad stuff. (pain, death, injure etc...). the closest i have come to telling somone of my anxiety and social phobia is to my girlfriend when just today she invited me out for a saturday get together with a bunch of people she knows and i know some, and i told her "i thought she knew by now that i dont like stuff like that, having to socialize with a bunch of people". we had a small convo about how she says i used to in H.S. and she asked why and i said i just dont..Ive found breathing exercises on my own and other methods. Ive taken my dads oxycodine and hydrocodine to really sedate myself to not get anxious (also helps with my back/neck i messed up in football in H.S.)...I guess i should have started my own thread but can any one help me? how should I get help?

 

[Enialis227]

I am in pretty much the same situation as exquisite. I am in college, I have no insurance or anything like that and no money to pay. But i havent told my father or anyone that i believe i have this anxiety disorder. I have always been the one in my family with the "brains" and have always been more of a stick in the mud than they are. I dont think they will be able to deal with me having some probelem like this. I think they think my odd socialization is a passing thing and that i can overcome anything. They also tell me they just dont understand why I did so poorly in H.S. having to repeat a year.

first off i dont know what to say. because if i tell them i dont like being around so many people and socializing in certain ways, my dad is the type to have never heard of this type of this disorder and will just write me off as sensitive,soft and or wierd. I havent told him of my adrenaline rushes in class or how i cant socialize.They will think its something i just need to get over. But i have tried, and have improved on my own a little bit, but i dont think this will ever go away. Some days are good whil others are real bad. I'm sure he sees i cant even look him in they eye somtimes, and for a while he just thought i was gay. No disrespect to gays but it infuriates me if thats what someone thinks to a point where think some pretty bad stuff. (pain, death, injure etc...). the closest i have come to telling somone of my anxiety and social phobia is to my girlfriend when just today she invited me out for a saturday get together with a bunch of people she knows and i know some, and i told her "i thought she knew by now that i dont like stuff like that, having to socialize with a bunch of people". we had a small convo about how she says i used to in H.S. and she asked why and i said i just dont..Ive found breathing exercises on my own and other methods. Ive taken my dads oxycodine and hydrocodine to really sedate myself to not get anxious (also helps with my back/neck i messed up in football in H.S.)...I guess i should have started my own thread but can any one help me? how should I get help?

Talking about it online is actually a good start, until I started medications I couldn't even make myself post anonymously online. I think that you should keep fighting it, little by little until you get the point where you can contact your campus's psychologist and then go from there.

 

[scissorhands]

My doctor sent me to a Mental Health Centre where I was interviewed by an expert on Social Anxiety Disorder. She asked alot of basic questions and intended for me to explain my thoughts. Basically I wrote it all down first though because I knew I wouldn't be able to explain it properly in person or would tone it down in fear I'd sound overdramatic or something. Anyway I really didn't like it, I very quickly got the impressive she couldn't relate to the problem and was only going by text book knowledge and listening for key words, etc. I didn't feel like she truely understood what the disorder feels like.

Afterward she wrote me a prescription for Cymbalta, but I didn't proceed to take it, even though I picked it up and have it. I feel there's healthier ways to solve the problem.

 

[Hellhound]

I am afraid of therapy too, I've had a lot of bad experiences with really horrible doctors, so i'm a bit scared... The last times i've tried looking for help, it was because i don't want to end up going completely insane or do anything stupid to myself, and these anxiety issues and SA are screwing me up even more, because i can't do the things i'd like to do... In resume, i went to therapy because i was desperate, LOL. Sadly it didn't work either, the therapist didn't want to deal with me anymore and left, or just didn't know how to deal with me. The others i've seen didn't understand shit about SA or anything at all, they pretty much treated me like an idiot or a sicko (malpractice much?)... Maybe i am just doomed to go insane or something...

 

[emmasma]

Thank you for this thread!
I am currently considering getting help, but like you I just do not know what to do or say! There is a community mental health center near my home and I want to go there. I am just not sure what to say once I do.

I did this once about 7 years ago, it was in a different county, but I think it is similar, there is no charge. It was not a positive experience. The lady I spoke to seemed kindof uninterested and not understanding much my problem. I had a few pages of stuff I wrote down explaining my thoughts on my problems. When I gave it to her she said"Oh, another writer" and rolled her eyes. This is the only part I remember clearly. I did not go back.

 

[lookahead]

For seeking help I just got to the point where I really didnt feel I could cope on my own or with life anymore and i knew i needed to help myself so i did everything in my power to sort something out. Doctors was the first place i went where i then got a referral. I know it can be hard, embarressing and scary getting help but if you push yourself its definatley worth it

I have copied and pasted my success story from another thread:

A few months ago I discovered that I had a problem with anxiety. Worrying and thinking negatively about everything, always living in the past and not being able to see a future, remembering rejections and times when I used to be bullied, never believing any positive things my boyfriend said about me were true, always accussing my boyfriend of anything and everything and not loving me, never remembering anything good he had ever done for me, unable to trust him and thinking everyone in the world was basically out to get me including my family.

In certain situations say if my boyfriend had not called me when he said he would I would start having an anxiety attack thinking something terrible was going to happen because of previous experiences with others. He had never ever shown me he could be like anyone I had been with in the past yet I still couldnt take my mind off it.

I was and still am being treated (5 weeks left) with cognitive behavioural therapy. For anyone who is worried about it or wants to know anything about it, I cant speak for everyone, but in my experience it has helped me tremendously! Every week I have taken small steps and been having mini breakthroughs. This past week I have put myself in situations I feel uncomfortable in or fear and I have coped with them.

I have found that the negative thoughts are really starting to subside. My therapist said i will always be prone to them. I do feel that Is a realistic expectation however I really do feel like a changed person. I am getting on a lot better now with my family, i think about the past very little and am now beginning to look forward. I am proof that cognitive and beahvioural therapy can work!!

My therapist said I also have a form of social anxiety....i am absolutely terrified about going to work because of the fear of humiliating myself, people looking at me and laughing, talking behind my back. etc Because of this I have not applied for a job in almost a year. I have tackled small bits of these feelings whilst sorting my other problems out but I am now going to face them head on!! Im feeling really confident and I know i can get over this! I will have to continue filling in my diary and challenging my thoughts when the therapy is finished to get the most out of it but I can do it

I just wanted to tell people not to give up!!!! Anybody can do anything if they put their mind to it. I never believed that i could feel this way, i cryed last night because of how much I have achieved and how happy i feel. Thinking back to the way i was i would never felt i could deal with all this on my own and overcome it, but I am. Good luck everyone.