Finding a good therapist

[diggininit]

I have what I would call overwhelming anxiety at times. I just sit in front of the screen and bite my nails. I try to get up and do something to forget about it, but find myself coming back to the same place. This is my work place by the way. I have an at home business and spend a lot of time in front of the computer. I recently broke down and saw a psychiatrist last month. I have been on Remeron/Mirtazapine now going on 20 years @ 30 mg per day. I recently within the last 18 months felt that the Remeron was no longer working, or I was just immune to it. My psych gave me Serzone/Nefazodone to try. I tried one and felt spacey all day. My primary gives me Clonazepam for the anxiety, but the psych gave me Alpralozam and it did nothing. Went back to the psych today and practically demanded she change me to Clonazepam. Just knowing I have it has settled me down today and I've not taken any. I can be sitting her working just fine and all of the sudden I get a really awful feeling come over me. Last night I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital before my psych appt today, but I took 2 Alpralozam's and went to bed instead. I sometimes just sit here and wring my hands, not really doing anything the entire day. I go back to the therapist Monday, but I've seen him so many times, I am looking for someone else. I don't think he is getting through to me. Maybe it's me and just being stubborn, or maybe it's him and he just can't get a grasp on how to treat me. Anyway, this is my weird introduction, but wanted to also ask how people are going about finding a good therapist, i.e. what do you look for? Do you interview many before you decide. I thought they were basically all the same, but obviously not as he is just not getting through to me, so I don't know it it's him or me! Also, my family really doesn't understand how debilitating anxiety can be, i.e. my Mother always asks me how I am feeling today. I tell her not good. She asks if it's my stomach, or do I have a fever or did I eat something that didn't agree with me, and I got mad and told her no, I do not have a stomach ache, I do not have a fever, I am just very very nervous and anxious. She then asks if something happened to make me nervous and suggests that I just go outside and sit in the sun. It's August. I'm in Texas. It's hot, so no that is not going to help. She then says, well you sound like you are in a bad mood and I don't want to be in a bad mood, so I will let you go. Well, let me tell you, I wanted to tell her it's none of the above. She doesn't understand true anxiety as she always says "when I feel a little nervous, I just go out and pull weeds". Pulling weeds might take my mind off for a second, but again, it's Texas and it's hot. My psych also prescribed Gabapentin. That is for nerve pain but I've read others take it for anxiety. I didn't get it filled, so I am still pretty leery of it. Thanks for reading/listening.

[GeorgiaPeach]

I'm in TX also, starting to look for a therapist as well.... If you happen to be in central TX and find a good one, please let me know I tried Gabapentin a few years ago without any kind of relief from it, but am trying again since I'm without insurance since my move to TX, and its the only option of meds I have. I have heard of it working for some, so it's worth a shot. It's absolutely terrifying knowing I have no treatment options or enough money to pay out of pocket for a psychiatrist, which I haven't been without for years and years...

You sound alot like me, the anxiety gets physically crippling, it makes me feel so horrible physically and I'm so stuck in my head that I will be paralyzed in the same spot for hours....Good luck to you, I hope things get better

[diggininit in reply to GeorgiaPeach]

I am not in Central Texas, but in North Central Texas - DFW area. Yes, we have tons of "therapists" to choose from. Insurance is an issue as my insurance only has a few, and I mean like 3 to choose from. I've been paying out of pocket just because I cannot drive a great distance and the one I am seeing now has a sliding rate based on your income. Most I believe will do that. I spoke with someone the other day and they referred me to a couple of "groups" that meet once a week lead by a licensed clinical worker, like a community ran program - charges are about $30.00 a session.