CBT therapy

[backpacker14]

I've had anxiety & panic attacks for about a year now. My meds have been changed up multiple times without effect and my anxiety/panic has been worse than ever. I have been doing meditation, changing up my diet and researching extensively on this topic. I recently heard about cognitive-behavioral therapy and I was hoping people had some success stories and/or advice with that! I appreciate everyone who shares their stories as I feel very alone with my diagnosis. I think if I don't get help soon I'm going to go off the deep end.

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yes, it can help. i became tired of my medications side effects and decided to taper off of them, with the help of a behavioral therapist. My depression is more intense than my anxiety problems so i’m not sure if it’s the same, and of course i’m not a doctor so I could be very wrong. But it did help, she helped me with anxiety problems and my depression. I learned different tactics to try and help my mind instead of medicating and it seemed to me that it made a difference. So i would say it is worth a try, it was several months in before we started finding the tools that helped me the most but it did help and i do better using some of the strategies i learned there.I wouldn’t recommend stopping your meds because it can be dangerous to your mind but i felt much better after my medications side effects subsided and was working on my mind, everyone is different so don’t count on my experiences. But there is no reason not to give it a try in my opinion.

[Calm_mama]

Hi Backpacker,

Are you a backpacker? I am Tell me your favorite trip!

Check out my profile. It's pretty much all CBT

CBT is the treatment of choice for anxiety and panic. It works. It takes time, and patience, and work on your part to adopt new behaviors (for example- anything that you are avoiding that you would normally do, you must slowly work towards doing again). And a willingness on your part to change your mind. (For example- most people think panic/anxiety are the enemy- they are not. They're very misunderstood). A good CBT therapist can help you immensely! There are excellent CBT workbooks out there as well. I'll add that I've been reading DARE (a well-known book for anxiety and panic) lately and I'll add it to my profile soon. DARE is more CBT. Also- DBT is very good for anxiety and there are great DBT workbooks out there as well (Marsha Linehan). CBT is my first choice.

PS you're not alone. So glad you are here. Some sources cite up to 30% of the population has this kind of "super anxiety". A group therapy arrangement might be really helpful so you can connect in person with others who are going through what you are. xoxo

[backpacker14 in reply to Calm_mama]

Thank you so much! I haven't navigated this site too much yet! My favorite trip so far is the beaten path in beartooth mountains! I had never heard of DBT...I'll have to look into it.