Is therapy worth it

[dieseluser07]

I have finally got to the point where i need help i think, ive always suffered with anxiety and for the past year or so ive not felt that anxious but its manifested itself in ways such as constant jaw tightness, being nasty to the ones i love, not going out in public through fear of being seen for some reason, and not really enjoying things i should be or having motivation for.

Im not who i know i could be, i have no confidence at all, and everyone and everything is irritating in my world. I have some great days but im fed up of being so highly strung and not really enjoying anything and feeling tense and anxious all the time.

Medication scares me, its the last port of call for me and i was hoping to try to talk to a therapist first, i dont have any past severe experiences that have led me to being like this, just generally being picked on a bit in school and college and i think its killed my self esteem. Can a therapist help with this??

[mrtwisty]

Therapy - Yes. CBT specifically.

Medication - also yes, especially for anxiety.

Not one without the other imo.

Best of luck chap.

[227bhp]

Talking therapy/counselling yes, CBT no IME.
It depends on who is doing it/how much you pay/how well you get on, but well worth a try.

[dieseluser07]

227bhp said:

Talking therapy/counselling yes, CBT no IME.
It depends on who is doing it/how much you pay/how well you get on, but well worth a try.

Im wanting for it to be more of a discussion about why im feeling like this rather than giving me things to do whenever im in a certain situation, as when im anxious i cant think straight at all and all these steps in a fight or flight situation wouldent work with me, so what method would be besyt

[meddyg]

227bhp said:

Talking therapy/counselling yes, CBT no IME.
It depends on who is doing it/how much you pay/how well you get on, but well worth a try.

CBT is a form of talking therapy/counselling, and is the one with the most evidence behind it for anxiety / panic type symptoms. The thing with talking therapies though, is that it is so variable, and success can be just as much related to the individual doing the talking therapy as it can the technique used. Therefore, don't dismiss one type of talking therapy before you have tried it.

[popeyewhite]

meddyg said:

CBT is a form of talking therapy/counselling, and is the one with the most evidence behind it for anxiety / panic type symptoms. The thing with talking therapies though, is that it is so variable, and success can be just as much related to the individual doing the talking therapy as it can the technique used. Therefore, don't dismiss one type of talking therapy before you have tried it.

CBT is therapy AFAIA, counselling - in layman's terms - is when the client and the consultant just have a few very good chats. Depending on the style of the consultant (Rogerian [client-centred], Freudian (!) etc) the idea is that causes for issues will 'emerge' during these conversations and can be confronted/addressed....again this depends on the style of the consultant.

If the OP wants to really get things off his chest then some counselling sessions would be of good use.

[hajaba123]

Go to your GP, talk it all through with them.

[popeyewhite]

hajaba123 said:

Go to your GP, talk it all through with them.

GP not there to talk I'm afraid. GP will offer referral to NHS counsellor though.

[944fan]

dieseluser07 said:

I have finally got to the point where i need help i think, ive always suffered with anxiety and for the past year or so ive not felt that anxious but its manifested itself in ways such as constant jaw tightness, being nasty to the ones i love, not going out in public through fear of being seen for some reason, and not really enjoying things i should be or having motivation for.

Im not who i know i could be, i have no confidence at all, and everyone and everything is irritating in my world. I have some great days but im fed up of being so highly strung and not really enjoying anything and feeling tense and anxious all the time.

Medication scares me, its the last port of call for me and i was hoping to try to talk to a therapist first, i dont have any past severe experiences that have led me to being like this, just generally being picked on a bit in school and college and i think its killed my self esteem. Can a therapist help with this??

I have been there. Lots of anxiety, taking it out on the family. Got really bad as I was constantly in fight or flight and on edge all the time. When my kids would scream or shout it would make me jump so much and I would snap at them.

I tried medication, it was fking awful. Horrible side effects and it achieved nothing. I am not trying to put you off but pills aren't for everyone and they dont always work. They are also a sticking plaster and don't solve the root problem.

I went to counselling. I went private as the NHS wasn't up to it. Long wait for referral then they try and drop some crappy group CBT session on you. It was talking therapies, with focus on my childhood. We talked a lot about how my parents put too much pressure on me and never gave me praise etc. Understanding what makes you feel the way you do.

I have also been having hit and miss success with testosterone therapy and mine is low and low T can cause anxiety. Might be worth asking the GP for a full set of blood tests done. Blood sugar and VitD can also have impacts on mood so get the lot tested.

You may have to try a few different therapists to find one you like. I had a couple. One I didn't like so much, however he was able to get me to open up a lot more.

Good luck mate, its a horrible feeling and situation to be in but you will get better.

I have also found exercise to be really good. It gives you self confidence but also it mops up all the cortisol that being in the fight or flight mode creates.

[meddyg]

popeyewhite said:

CBT is therapy AFAIA, counselling - in layman's terms - is when the client and the consultant just have a few very good chats. Depending on the style of the consultant (Rogerian [client-centred], Freudian (!) etc) the idea is that causes for issues will 'emerge' during these conversations and can be confronted/addressed....again this depends on the style of the consultant.

If the OP wants to really get things off his chest then some counselling sessions would be of good use.

You are correct of course, counselling most commonly refers to one to one sessions with a therapist involving in depth discussions, however I was referring to it in its most broadest definition. Where by all therapy is a form of counselling.

I also agree re GP comment. In most areas of the U.K. You can self refer for therapy without going through your GP.

[hairyben]

The majority of the population could probably benefit from some therapy, in general aside from specific problems, it'll unlikely be money wasted.

Nhs therapy is grossly overstretched and underfunded although it obviously varies by area, you're best off trying private if you can afford it rather than puting yourself through such a degrading process.

[thatsprettyshady]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Post over here, unfortunately Anxiety & Depression go hand in hand, so don't lets the thread title put you off.

[hajaba123]

popeyewhite said:

hajaba123 said:

Go to your GP, talk it all through with them.

GP not there to talk I'm afraid. GP will offer referral to NHS counsellor though.

I meant talk through the options

[Ice White Socks]

I picked up some great advice from pistonheads so to return the favour - supplement a decent form of magnesium (mainly avoid oxide)- your jaw tightness is the textbook indicator.

[thatsprettyshady]

popeyewhite said:

hajaba123 said:

Go to your GP, talk it all through with them.

GP not there to talk I'm afraid. GP will offer referral to NHS counsellor though.

Unusual

Get a new GP, if possible.

[SplatSpeed]

hi

get a Councillor have a couple of sessions and suck it and see

talking around the 40 quid mark

they will be able to advise you on the best course of action

i have been seeing one for over a year started twice a week now down to less than once a month

i do weekly group therapy that is free if you can find the right group

i have co dependency

the first stage is admitting you have a problem, therapy will lead to you exploring, understanding and dealing with your problems.

things can only get better!!

PM me if u want to

[dieseluser07]

Im emailing a couple of counsellors now.

My self-esteem is so low i dont feel i have any self worth, i need this to change as its causing me frustration trying to challenge people over my concerns.

[227bhp]

Noodle1982 said:

If you havent had therapy by the time you are 30yrs old, there's something wrong with you.

Lol, that's not true at all.

[SplatSpeed]

dieseluser07 said:

Im emailing a couple of counsellors now.

My self-esteem is so low i dont feel i have any self worth, i need this to change as its causing me frustration trying to challenge people over my concerns.

well done, you must be apprehensive of the unknown.

female Councillors want to mother their patients, male ones want to bang them

but it is not allowed, it is one of the interesting diffrences between males and females.

but all Councillors want to help!!!

the first one may not be right for you, its like riding a bike. at first you are scared but after a while you think that was easy. and like riding a bike you just need someone to show you the way.

good luck we are all rooting for you!!

[dieseluser07]

SplatSpeed said:

well done, you must be apprehensive of the unknown.

female Councillors want to mother their patients, male ones want to bang them

but it is not allowed, it is one of the interesting diffrences between males and females.

but all Councillors want to help!!!

the first one may not be right for you, its like riding a bike. at first you are scared but after a while you think that was easy. and like riding a bike you just need someone to show you the way.

good luck we are all rooting for you!!

Very apprehensive yes

I have recieved a email back from one, i asked if my problems were something they can help with and he just emailed saying let me know when you are free and he will arrange an appointment.

Is this a bad sign, all i asked was if they could help me with my problem, or do some therapists not give anything away until they have met you?