What have you ''tried'' to get better?
- Thread starter Falkor
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davidburke
Well-known member
i went on medication, did cbt, did group therapy
mrb
Well-known member
throwing my self in the deep end lol , im not social but moving to my gfs place in ireland , were im going to be forced to be social ... , im a little worried .. well really worried , but ... hmmm ill cope at least i think ill cope , oh shut up gary you will cope :
: or will i .... naaa ill cope , big sigh , theres always something to worry about isnt there
: or will i .... naaa ill cope , big sigh , theres always something to worry about isnt there 
Nicholas
Well-known member
I tried the only thing that seems to work: I tried to remember that whatever was happening was ok. Not talking enough? It's ok. I'm anxious? It's ok. I feel uncomfortable? I just try to find a way to feel better, focusing on MYSELF, and not on the people around me. Sometimes it's very hard though... it's hard to think "it's ok" when you are shaking, but... in theory, that should be the right thing to think.
agoraphobickatie
Well-known member
a lot of people on here really hate the idea of therapy/therapists/psychologists/etc... but i think it just depends on the person, you have to find someone who doesn't just want to sit there and tell you what's wrong with you, or sit there and have you spill your guts then leave... i love my therapist, and she's really helped me tons! she's not an MD or anything, she works at a little non profit place sponsored by a church or something (which i was afraid of, i thought she might shove the bible down my throat, but she didn't at all) ...anyway, she's really helped me to learn my issues, my ways of thinking, and helps me figure out a way for ME to try to work through panic and cope.. everyone has a different strategy and different things that work for them.. she also talks with me about the other bull crap going on in my life, haha so it's also nice to get other things out and discuss them with her..
anyway, as far as my agoraphobia goes, i've basically been doing exposure therapy, cbt i guess.. i always start out with small steps when trying to overcome different things. like when i first started trying to get out of the house (since i hadn't at all), i would just go ride around in the car with either of my parents until i felt comfortable.. then i'd start going with either of them into a small store for a short amount of time, then longer amount of time etc etc... now i'm almost always totally fine with either of them when i'm out, so i have to work on getting out alone... i've recently started going to the mall or a small store with a parent, but going in alone while they sit in the car..
anyway, exposure has worked best for me.. i've been reading "when panic attacks" by david burns, and there's a lot of really working to figure out what and where your negative thoughts come from, which also helps me to rationalize my thoughts and all..
so it's also nice to get other things out and discuss them with her..anyway, as far as my agoraphobia goes, i've basically been doing exposure therapy, cbt i guess.. i always start out with small steps when trying to overcome different things. like when i first started trying to get out of the house (since i hadn't at all), i would just go ride around in the car with either of my parents until i felt comfortable.. then i'd start going with either of them into a small store for a short amount of time, then longer amount of time etc etc... now i'm almost always totally fine with either of them when i'm out, so i have to work on getting out alone... i've recently started going to the mall or a small store with a parent, but going in alone while they sit in the car..
anyway, exposure has worked best for me.. i've been reading "when panic attacks" by david burns, and there's a lot of really working to figure out what and where your negative thoughts come from, which also helps me to rationalize my thoughts and all..
Last edited:
jbeenthere
Well-known member
I was given a book on bioenergetics which said that anxiety was a blockage of physical energy due to past trauma. really not what I needed - to say the least. caused all sorts of body OCD symptoms. the only thing that works now is understanding what SA is accepting my life as it is and all the small and large trajedies I have had to endure then picking yourself up and dealing with it the best I can. and not giving up. and repeat that people are basically good and phobias are by definition an overreaction to a potential danger.
for anyone who doubts CBT with a CARING therapist I would recommend the following abstract. it's a little dry and complex but the findings are unassailable.
Neuroimage. 2003 Feb;18(2):401-9.
"Change the mind and you change the brain": effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the neural correlates of spider phobia.
Paquette V, Lévesque J, Mensour B, Leroux JM, Beaudoin G, Bourgouin P, Beauregard M.
Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, 4565 Queen Mary Road, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3W 1W5.
Questions pertaining to the neurobiological effects of psychotherapy are now considered among the most topical in psychiatry. With respect to this issue, positron emission tomography (PET) findings indicate that cognitive and behavioral modifications, occurring in a psychotherapeutic context, can lead to regional brain metabolic changes in patients with major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The goal of the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, which constitutes the first neuroimaging investigation of the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using an emotional activation paradigm, was to probe the effects of CBT on the neural correlates of spider phobia. In order to do so, fMRI was used in subjects suffering from spider phobia (n = 12) to measure, before and after effective CBT, regional brain activity during the viewing of film excerpts depicting spiders. Normal control subjects were also scanned (once) while they were exposed to the same film excerpts. Results showed that, in phobic subjects before CBT, the transient state of fear triggered, during the viewing of the phobogenic stimuli, was correlated with significant activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area-BA 10), the parahippocampal gyrus, and the visual associative cortical areas, bilaterally. For normal control subjects (n = 13), only the left middle occipital gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus were significantly activated. In phobic subjects before CBT, the activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 10) may reflect the use of metacognitive strategies aimed at self-regulating the fear triggered by the spider film excerpts, whereas the parahippocampal activation might be related to an automatic reactivation of the contextual fear memory that led to the development of avoidance behavior and the maintenance of spider phobia. After successful completion of CBT, no significant activation was found in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 10) or the parahippocampal gyrus. These findings suggest that a psychotherapeutic approach, such as CBT, has the potential to modify the dysfunctional neural circuitry associated with anxiety disorders. They further indicate that the changes made at the mind level, within a psychotherapeutic context, are able to functionally "rewire" the brain.
for anyone who doubts CBT with a CARING therapist I would recommend the following abstract. it's a little dry and complex but the findings are unassailable.
Neuroimage. 2003 Feb;18(2):401-9.
"Change the mind and you change the brain": effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the neural correlates of spider phobia.
Paquette V, Lévesque J, Mensour B, Leroux JM, Beaudoin G, Bourgouin P, Beauregard M.
Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, 4565 Queen Mary Road, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3W 1W5.
Questions pertaining to the neurobiological effects of psychotherapy are now considered among the most topical in psychiatry. With respect to this issue, positron emission tomography (PET) findings indicate that cognitive and behavioral modifications, occurring in a psychotherapeutic context, can lead to regional brain metabolic changes in patients with major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The goal of the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, which constitutes the first neuroimaging investigation of the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using an emotional activation paradigm, was to probe the effects of CBT on the neural correlates of spider phobia. In order to do so, fMRI was used in subjects suffering from spider phobia (n = 12) to measure, before and after effective CBT, regional brain activity during the viewing of film excerpts depicting spiders. Normal control subjects were also scanned (once) while they were exposed to the same film excerpts. Results showed that, in phobic subjects before CBT, the transient state of fear triggered, during the viewing of the phobogenic stimuli, was correlated with significant activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area-BA 10), the parahippocampal gyrus, and the visual associative cortical areas, bilaterally. For normal control subjects (n = 13), only the left middle occipital gyrus and the right inferior temporal gyrus were significantly activated. In phobic subjects before CBT, the activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 10) may reflect the use of metacognitive strategies aimed at self-regulating the fear triggered by the spider film excerpts, whereas the parahippocampal activation might be related to an automatic reactivation of the contextual fear memory that led to the development of avoidance behavior and the maintenance of spider phobia. After successful completion of CBT, no significant activation was found in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 10) or the parahippocampal gyrus. These findings suggest that a psychotherapeutic approach, such as CBT, has the potential to modify the dysfunctional neural circuitry associated with anxiety disorders. They further indicate that the changes made at the mind level, within a psychotherapeutic context, are able to functionally "rewire" the brain.
danstelter
Well-known member
Very succinctly, here is what I have done: a stronger spirituality, counseling (briefly twice), journaling, exercise, dieting, medication (for 1 yr and no more - I'm doing well without it), talking to supportive friends, and taking risks to move outside of my comfort zone.
Use any one of these approaches alone and you will find some help, but combine them altogether and you will find your life will improve drastically. I strongly recommend all of these, and if you think you've find something else that works for you, by all means use that as well!
Use any one of these approaches alone and you will find some help, but combine them altogether and you will find your life will improve drastically. I strongly recommend all of these, and if you think you've find something else that works for you, by all means use that as well!
iamthenra
Well-known member
I have seen many psychiatrists and psychologists and one Licensed clinical social worker and a priest who was trained to do EMDR. I've tried most of the antidepressants in their arsenal, and then towards the end of it all, they started mixing different drugs, which really messed up my head allot.... This is all over a period of about 5 years... After paying a ton of money for drugs, therapy, and hocus pokus, I am done with all that crap they call "therapy"... I thought all of it was a complete joke, and the only thing it made me was poor... I don't feel any better, except a bit more discouraged, desperate and depressed because I am too old to be starting out doing things that I should have done when I was young around 13 or so... What 41 year old man starts dating and fumbling at this age??? Most ladies would laugh, even if I get the chance to go out with them... My chances are slim next to none, so I try not to think about being alone for the rest of my life, but I know that will probably be my future.... Life sucks!
kbzeppelin1
Member
Smile more and try not to care what people think of me or if they will like me.
mrb
Well-known member
I agree with danstelter I've also tried improving my spirituality by means of raising my mental energy levels and it really works. Along with goal setting and moving towards my goal and doing anything that raises my physical energy(like getting enough sleep at night ,paying attention to the food I eat and etc) the effect is even stronger... Observing the poeple around me I've noticed that poeple who have a stronger spirituality(and have more positive energy) are found to be attractive to others.I've also noticed that when I'm more spiritual and full of positive energy and hope poeple actually come towards me unlike some other times that I might not be.
niceguyJosh
Member
I've tried all kinds of medication and counseling which didn't help much, in fact I think the mess made things twice as bad..
What's worked for me is a combination of these things:
-maintaining the best possible nutrition that is humanly possible
-consistent meditation practice
-consistent exercise
-listening to confidence hypnosis mp3s
-EFT the roger Callahan technique also known as thought field therapy
What's worked for me is a combination of these things:
-maintaining the best possible nutrition that is humanly possible
-consistent meditation practice
-consistent exercise
-listening to confidence hypnosis mp3s
-EFT the roger Callahan technique also known as thought field therapy
akala
Well-known member
The first and most obvious step is to just force myself no matter what, but this is the hardest to do.
I first begun with a book called "the power of now" by eckhart tolle, i managed to get my anxiety under control and my mood got better by a bit.
At the time I was in college, I went to the counselling office to ask to see a therapist (for free) and I was able to see someone, i had about 8 sessions with him before he left the school and retired. He advised me to see someone else in the school but i couldn't go back because I had some transference with him, and associated that office with bad things.
So anyways I went on the hunt for a new therapist and found someone, but she charged me 200+$ per session which was really not in my price range, so now I'm wondering if therapy is really an option for me.
I read another self help book by Dr. Illard called "The Cure to Depression"
and it had six steps which were:
The 6 steps:
1. dietary omega-3 fatty acids
2. engaging activity
3. physical activity
4. sunlight exposure
5. social support
6. sleep
I am on the first step of the book and trying dietary omega-3 and it might just be a placebo effect but I think it's changing my mood.
I plan to take out these other plans soon.
I'm also reading another book about social anxiety, working on a workbook.
I had to drop out of college because I was afraid of my teachers, not so much the students. But I am going to apply to online virtual school and take a few courses so that I can apply to a college of my choice where I will seek out help from their counselling office most likely..
as for a job I am hunting for one that will suit my social phobia... I have done a few jobs that don't involve much social interaction : secretary that only does filing, and inventory counting.
My dream is to finish college and I hope i can make it possible with the support from my family and boyfriend. Even with socialanxiety I've been held back so many times in my life... but I don't want it to control my life. I'm doing everything I can.
I try to leave the house as much as possible,because sometimes it feels like i'm trapped inside forever, afraid of the world.
Books to read:
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs by Stephen S. Ilardi - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
I first begun with a book called "the power of now" by eckhart tolle, i managed to get my anxiety under control and my mood got better by a bit.
At the time I was in college, I went to the counselling office to ask to see a therapist (for free) and I was able to see someone, i had about 8 sessions with him before he left the school and retired. He advised me to see someone else in the school but i couldn't go back because I had some transference with him, and associated that office with bad things.
So anyways I went on the hunt for a new therapist and found someone, but she charged me 200+$ per session which was really not in my price range, so now I'm wondering if therapy is really an option for me.
I read another self help book by Dr. Illard called "The Cure to Depression"
and it had six steps which were:
The 6 steps:
1. dietary omega-3 fatty acids
2. engaging activity
3. physical activity
4. sunlight exposure
5. social support
6. sleep
I am on the first step of the book and trying dietary omega-3 and it might just be a placebo effect but I think it's changing my mood.
I plan to take out these other plans soon.
I'm also reading another book about social anxiety, working on a workbook.
I had to drop out of college because I was afraid of my teachers, not so much the students. But I am going to apply to online virtual school and take a few courses so that I can apply to a college of my choice where I will seek out help from their counselling office most likely..
as for a job I am hunting for one that will suit my social phobia... I have done a few jobs that don't involve much social interaction : secretary that only does filing, and inventory counting.
My dream is to finish college and I hope i can make it possible with the support from my family and boyfriend. Even with socialanxiety I've been held back so many times in my life... but I don't want it to control my life. I'm doing everything I can.
I try to leave the house as much as possible,because sometimes it feels like i'm trapped inside forever, afraid of the world.
Books to read:
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs by Stephen S. Ilardi - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
