Gilly 1086 Posted June 3, 2014 Hey quatro, welcome to AC You are not alone anymore, we understand completely how you feel. I suffer from agoraphobia and panic disorder, a little health anxiety and GAD, lots of fun, not lol You aren't going to end up in a mental hospital, if the meds aren't helping, there are others that could. Sometimes its trial and error to find something that works for you, or you don't have to take meds if you don't want to, I never have. I have had therapy and it has helped a lot, but if you don't feel comfortable with your therapist that is not going to be good, it's important to trust them and feel comfortable with them. I would talk to your GP and tell them, ask what to do. You may be able to see a different therapist, I don't know if I got lucky but the 2 I have seen were fantastic, and it was through the NHS. Feel free to pop on the chat room if you want to, we are friendly and we get it, if you just want to sit and watch to get used to it, that is cool, don't worry. We have a laugh, and are always happy to help if we can. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gilly 1086 Posted June 4, 2014 Hey james, honestly I would find a different therapist. This one doesn't sound like they know what they are talking about, or their knowledge is basic. The first therapist I saw was really great, we just talked really. He helped me see why I am like I am, and I felt validated. The next step was CBT, which was great as the therapist helped me to challenge my fears. I have a worry diary which I write down every worry, every symptom, it's good for reference and it has helped me get out of a constant cycle of worrying over my health. What you are dealing with is personal, so your therapy needs to be personally suited to you, if distracting yourself by playing games helps, then what is wrong with that? Distraction is key, everyone knows that. Seriously? Just do it? I'm sorry but what an ass, it is not that easy. I was told not to force myself to do things if they terrified me, but to start with small things I felt I could do, and do them repeatedly until I could do them calmly, then take a step up. This teaches the subconscious to feel safe again and to act normally and not feel threatened. The best thing to do when you have a panic attack is just just let it happen, always remember it cannot hurt you but it's important not to add 2nd fear. If you can get up and do something to distract then do that, I do. If I'm at home I run a bath or play video games. Yes it's good to breathe, but your body knows how to breathe all on its own, focusing on your breathing sometimes doesn't help, it can for some people, but everyone is different, if it helps you to distract, then distract. Let your lungs work normally again on their own whilst your mind is busy being occupied with something else. This is the thing with therapy it is really important that you and your therapist work together, they need to be listening to you, and encouraging you on how you feel you can get better, it's not like you are getting blind drunk to numb it out, that would not be good, but distracting with games? Pfft, that is really good IMHO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KMilner71 7 Posted June 9, 2014 Hi James, Part of my anxiety is focusing on my health too. Every time I see a spot on my arm I never noticed before, I think c****r. Numbeness in one of my arms and I think stroke. etc. These things are truly part of my anxiety, I have been to my GP for a complete physical, a Cardioloigst because I feared the racing heart was a sign there was something wrong with my heart. I have seen an Ear Nose and Throat Dr. because I would feel like there was something stuck in my throat. Everyone of these issues were addressed and tested and all came back perfectly normal. I have also been to an Endocronologist for hormone testing so I have been through all the health worries and have come to understand after the numerous Dr. and Specialists visits that it is truly all related to my anxiety. I tried therapy once and it did not work out, as the therapist was more interested in pushing their opinions on me, instead of listening to what I was trying to tell them that I was going through. I finally found a good PDoc. who listens to me and works with me when I tell her that I am afraid to take certain medicines because I made the mistake of googling all of them and the side effects so now I fear them and I no longer goole my symptons or any medicines. I also stay away from reading negative medical literature as it increases my health related anxiety. I know what a struggle it is. I struggle to hold it together every day so that I can just make it through work and go home, but the one thing that I do try to do is to tell myself that my thoughts can not control me unless I let them. Managing anxiety is about breaking that negative feedback loop that contiously replays over and over again in your mind. I have just recently started keeping a jornal of all my thoughts, I write them down throughout the day and review them at night and I did not realize how almost every thought that I had was a negative thought in some form or fashion. So now when I catch a negative thought creeping in, I mutate the thought into a positive or realistic one. For example, I don't like to go out alone for fear of passing out so I ask myself "what is the worst thing that could happen if I really did pass out?" The answer is, I would pass out and wake back up within a few moments. It would not bring the world as we know it to an end. I honestly have to say as truly terrifying as the anxiety or panic attacks have been nothing bad has ever really happened as a result of one other than I feel exhausted after each one. When I feel myself getting anxious and you can usually tell when one is ramping up to hit, I yell at my brain that there is nothing wrong with me other than my internal danger alarms are going off when there is no danger at all near at hand.That it is all a chemical signal that my brain is sending out by mistake and my body is reacting to the false alarm. I know it may sound silly, but I tell myself there is no danger, so turn off the alarms, clear the brain channels of unneccesary chemicals and calm down. I have been told about the deep breating and the focusing and the visualization,but as you stated, that is easier said than done when you are in the middle of what feels like your brain is screaming at you to run and your feet really want to answer that signal. Sometimes practicing these things when are not having an attack can help you be more able to focus some when you are having one. Therapist are like medicines,you have to find the one that works with you and fits your needs. My pdoc told me that the medicines will not cure the anxiety they are just a bandaid to stop the bleeding so to speak while the therapy is what will heal. But the work has to come from within you as well, you have to make an effort daily to monitor your thoughts and change them from negative to positive or at least a realistic version of the situation. When I get stressed or upset over something, I ask myself "is this something that I can control or change?" If the answer is no, then I try not to waste any more time dwelling on it (which most people with anxiety have a tendency to do). If the answer is yes, then I think of what steps I need to take in order to make that change. I hope some of this helps you in at least some small way. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
