Aversion Therapy for Anxiety

[marheart]

Looking for info, on Aversion Therapy for Anxiety.

According to what I've read online t's used in many areas. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it makes things worse.

I think that's what my talk therapist is using since she has indicated a couple of times she doesn't know what else to do with me. I've had 3 Therapists in 4 yrs. During that time I've developed several physical health problems, including Cancer.

Please share what you know and/or have experienced with Aversion Therapy for Anxiety.

[Michdau1]

I have to say that aversion therapy is quite extreme but very affective. I had some when I was younger to address a SEVERE phobia of dogs. I literally used to cry and be sick if I heard the word dog or saw a photo. This was because I was attacked when I was only three years old. It's about facing the fear and becoming comfortable with the associated feelings. I cannot be in a room with a dog, I can't say I enjoy it, but the horrendous, irrational fear and debilitating side effects have gone 👍 you have to fully commit to it. DO NOT STOP PART WAY THROUGH OR YOU MAY FEEL WORSE. You will hate your therapist at some points but will likely thank them one day xxx

[marheart in reply to Michdau1]

Thanks for the explanation. I do hate my Therapist now. It's a struggle for me to live day by day and she pushes me too much. I call it Aversion Therapy. She has not labeled it.

I'm a Senior with years of experiences and compounding medical problems to overcome. Have become an Out Of The Box person. Mindfulness seems to be cookie cutter approach.

Agoraphobia has become a tuff issue as it escalates. I know, I've been warned this would happen if I wasn't willing to get out in the world. The anxiety mounds days before going out, while I'm out and even 2-4 days of being sick afterwards.

The Therapist said again that she doesn't know what to do with me anymore. That spikes the anxiety into my feeling more "yucky sick"

[Michdau1 in reply to marheart]

That sounds really tough to handle. What the therapist has said doesn't exactly inspire confidence in you either 🤗🤗🤗 there is still hope because you haven't given up. Perhaps the aversion therapy will start off really mild like mine. I.e. I started off by saying the word dog out loud, then moved onto playing with toy dogs, then onto photos of real digs, listening to recordings if dogs barking etc etc. All the while I was given coping methods like breathing and distraction techniques. That said, I've heard of ppl benefitting from jumping right in at the deep end e.g ppl who are clostraphobic (can't spell that sorry) being WILLINGLY locked in a box for an agreed amount of time and by the he time they come out, their not afraid anymore!!! X

[marheart in reply to Michdau1]

Therapist hasn't heard me asking about that Mindful approach. I just go along as a people pleaser and think she is the professional who knows more than I do about mental health.

I don't recognize me anymore. Changed so much. Meanwhile we are stuck on what to do as are her co-workers who have been advising.

[Michdau1 in reply to marheart]

You are the person who best knows how you feel ❤️ don't be afraid to seek a second opinion. Maybe you've outgrown that therapist and need a fresh perspective X good luck whatever you decide xxx

[marheart in reply to Michdau1]

Thank you for the support.