Hi all,
What's your views on CBT? I'll be starting to have it done this week, so I'm eager to find out if I should be looking forward to a good outcome. I'm open to ANYTHING at moment, my anxiety & panic attacks are horrible!!!!! Kelly X
CBT? : Hi all, What's your views on CBT? I... - Anxiety Support
CBT?
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AussieKel83
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I saw a bunch of therapists before I started CBT, and I have to say I think CBT is the best way to treat anxiety. It helped me A LOT. It's different than regular therapy because the therapist focuses less on talking about your life (which always annoyed me so much) and more on really effective ways to handle panic attacks and anxiety and eventually get rid of them all together.
AussieKel83• in reply to
Awesome, thank you for that. That's what I want, I don't want to have to be taking steps back and looking at things that have happened...I want to move forward & learn effective ways to stop my panic attack as it approaches & learn how to change my negative stupid thoughts into "normal" thoughts. How many sessions did you have & was your anxiety quite severe before you started? Thank you for your reply.
Kelly 
Wishing you good luck.
Thank you
Have you tried it before?
Yes I have. I don't like being on medication and CBT is considered a successful approach to anxiety. Your right, I don't like rehashing my life over and over, I wanted to go forward and that's what CBT can do.
Let me know how you do, just remember any good thing takes some time. It sounds like you are ready for a change.
Oh I'm more than ready haha. Im sick of ruining my little girls life by being a basket case mother...someone or something out there has to help me feel better! I may be able to get an appointment tomorrow, but I won't know until the morning. Fingers crossed as I'd love to at least get 2 sessions in before Christmas. Thanks so much your caring words. X
Oh I hope you get that appointment tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and wishing you good thoughts.
Thank you 😘
I've been struggling with severe health-anxiety/panic for a decade or so, and in the last 1.5 years I've been going to a CBT therapist every week.
I can say that without a doubt it has helped me. I'd say I went from 9.9/10 level panic disorder to something around a 5.
The main difference I have noticed is my ability to cope with symptoms and the reduction in full-blown attacks. I used to ONLY have bad and really bad days. Now, I have a mixture of good, average, and sometimes bad days.
The same things still scare me, but they no longer consume my every thought. I did this entirely without medication, too.
I definitely recommend it.
Feel free to ask me anything about my disorder or the process I went through with the therapist.
Be well!
Wow, it certainly sounds like it's been great for you.
I'm excited to try it & more so give anything a go right now. My whole days/nights are consumed with thoughts..."when's my next panic attack going to come" "what was that pain" "what happens if I'm left alone" .... Constant stupid thoughts which make me so angry because I don't know how to stop them.
What have you found most effective using CBT?
Thanks so much for your reply, and congratulations on coming so far...especially with out meds...that shows how strong you are.
Kelly X
Most helpful in terms of tools? To be honest, it's entirely based on the individual, at least in my experiences.
I think the usual course of action therapists take begins with an assessment of history and current symptoms, including the frequency of attacks, triggers, etc. You basically give them your life story and they try to distill it down to clear, rational points.
From that point, depending on what your assessment shows, they develop personalized behavior changes for you to focus on.
For example... my health anxiety (just one part of my anxiety) was usually centered around my heart: having weird palpitations, and the fear of later heart issues. Because of this, I was constantly thinking about my heart, checking my pulse, you name it. So, part of my therapy was actually to convince myself that my heart wasn't going to hurt me or fail... so I was told to challenge my self not to check my pulse, and in moments of desperation do another very different activity instead. The whole idea is that your brain's focus changes your assessment of the meaning concerning your symptoms... so it's kind of like cognitive (focus) boot camp.
In terms of the results, you eventually become less and less effected by your triggers, and it takes more and more to distract you from the world around you... so, less panic, more focus, etc, etc.
BE AWARE though that CBT isn't easy. You'll be actively challenging yourself every week. You'll do things called 'exposures' (some people call them different things) which are basically experiments meant to test your resolve in the face of panic. You might even start out having slightly worsened panic, only to have it fade shortly after. It's entirely normal, and it happened to me a little bit.
However, every time you test yourself, you get a little stronger, and your brain starts to recondition itself to respond to your triggers in a healthy way.
It's allowed me not to miss work, to be more active, hang out with friends more, everything.
I'm definitely not CURED... but I feel confident I'm not at risk for losing my job, I can have fun again, and I'm moving in the right direction.
Well...I had a quick stalk on your profile, and reading your post was like I had you write it for me! Everything you had written, is what I am experiencing.
I'm glad to hear you are slowly beating this demon & on the road to recovery. It must feel amazing to not have to suffer as bad as you use to. Job well done
Slowly but surely
If there's one thing I have learned it's that acceptance is key. Not allowing myself to be alone and try to isolate has done wonders. The CBT was a part of that, so was finding people I can trust and vent to.
The more 'normal' you can make your life, the more normal you will feel... it's not easy at first, but I've found it to be the only way.
That's awesome. The past week or so I've just been locking myself in my room and sleeping. I think depression is starting to kick in as I'm so over the 24/7 stupid feelings and emotions. Today, my sister took my little girl out for the day, so my mum picked me up & ive spent the day at her place. Mum went out and I've been at her place for 4 hours on my own. I wanted to test myself if anything... Up until about 45 mins ago, I was ok then I felt a panic attack on. Instantly I lied on the floor, started playing my relaxation apps that I have on my phone which involves deep breathing & I "think" I won this battle. The attack didn't peak as it normally would when I try fight it. But, what happens with me...the second I feel like I've done something positive, bad thoughts start and make me think something bad will happen to me for being strong & positive! Drives me mad!!! Lol
I can't be sure, but maybe the isolation is a contributing factor... the fact that you're alone, apparently without contact, comfort, support, other human beings, etc.
Try focusing on the bigger picture and your connection to others through your memories. For me, and many others, a lack of recollection concerning past experiences makes us feel disconnected, scared, and lacking substance. Life, then, starts to feel like a pointless void, because we feel like right now is all that has ever been: this depressing, sad, alone feeling.
But I strongly suggest trying to recall memories, positive ones, happy ones... try and think about the last day you can where you felt AMAZING. What happened that day? Who were you with? WHY was it so good? Then, instead of thinking "I hope I don't have a panic attack soon", focus on the fact that every second is another opportunity for you to start ALL over again and have more of the amazing days I was talking about.
WHY can't tomorrow be that amazing day again? Each passing second you get closer and closer to beating depression. I know that normality feels so far away, but it isn't. You're in the same place you've always been. Your happiness is RIGHT HERE... you've been happy before, and you will again. Try just smiling... even if you have to force it... smile and say out loud, "Today, I'm going to have a good day. I'm going to do things that make me feel happy. I'm not going to feel sad a single time... I'm going to be myself, normal, happy, and I'm going to live it up while I can".
Good for you. It is so nice to hear positive comments regarding anxiety
Keep up the good work.
I'll do my darndest ;o)
Everything's been looking on the up for the last several months especially, so I'm feel hopeful. I even have a job interview tomorrow... it'd be a huge promotion, too... and actually not feeling too nervous about it at all.
Woo hoo...high 5!!!! You're going to ace it because you we strong & nothing will take you down...anxiety can piss off & let you have your moment to shine. Be sure to update us after your interview! GOOD LUCK 👏
Will do! Time to get some sleep and rest up for the 6 hour interview.. no joke, 6 HOURS!!!
6 bloody hours!!!! Geeezzzzz...they want you in there doing a performance or something haha! It's 5:30pm here, so still a couple more hours until i can sleep my steam train minded head!!! Excited for you kick ass! X
Good Luck on the interview. I know you can do it. You're ready.
Hi there,
CBT is THE BEST. It's talk therapy with lots of practical techniques. Can't recommend it enough. I return to it at intervals during my life. Hope it helps with your healing and happiness. Well done on making such a brave decision!
El
Hi El, thank you for your reply. I'm super excited especially getting great feedback from you guys. I'm willing to try anything & this sounds like I'm heading down the right path with this therapy. I've had no luck with councillors etc, so fingers crossed I'm so happy this it has been so effected for you & you are able to use the techniques you've learnt along the way when you need them now. Kelly x
I'm excited for you! The thing with CBT is you get back what you put in. It can be difficult & frustrating because you're trying to cease lifelong patterns and learn new ones, but just remember you're always doing your best even when you don't think you are. Turning up is the important part. Plus if you've already done other types of counselling you prob have a good understanding into your own patterns and hows/whys of yourself, which definitely helps the process (or it did for me).
Best of luck & do keep us posted (if ya feel like it!)
El
I'm starting an online course of CBT when they have a vacancy (soon I hope). This will be backed up by a phone call each week from a support worker to discuss my progress.From what everyone is saying CBT is really helpful. Does anyone have experience of doing it online please
Hey
Funny you say that, I was actually looking at a online course to do it today. But I stopped myself from signing up as I want to force myself to get to my psychologist as I don't leave the house. I'm scared but excited at the same time. What was the site you found? This site I found was available now & the reviews were very good. I'll inbox you the link for you to check out. And you can pay week by week & cancel at anytime which I found great, as you don't want to be paying for 8weeks (which you can do) if you aren't happy or don't feel you are getting anything from it.
Hi. As a cbt therapist myself, I of course would urge you to start your therapy in the most positive way possible. Naturally, any kind of treatment for any kind of problem does not have a 'one size fits all' solution. But without doubt, cbt has been shown to be highly successful when it comes to anxiety and depression particularly. I wish you well.
AussieKel83• in reply to
Hi there,
I'm very open minded to it & I can't wait to hopefully achieve a good outcome. I need to be "re wired" as such. As soon as I feel a happy thought or feel happy...instantly my thoughts turn negative and make me believe something bad is going to happen to me. The fear I have now of going to public places is horrendous, as I'm so use to having panic attacks wherever I go, so I've got myself into my bubble where I stay at home...(bad I know) but hopefully I'll learn the techniques to allow me to get out into the big wide world again and learn to deal with a situation where/when my panic or anxiety attack hits & I can kick it rather than cop it...if that makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.
Kelly
• in reply toAussieKel83
You are welcome. I am sure that with such a positive attitude as you have that things will improve for you. You are already staring from a good place - you know the problem and you are actively seeking solutions. The therapy, and additional emotional support, should really help you develop coping mechanisms that will enable you to get back to some kind of 'normal' life.
AussieKel83• in reply to
Thank you I'm so sick of wasting my thoughts on negativity CONSTANTLY...so now I need to put that time & energy into getting better. The last 4 weeks have been the worst 4 weeks of my life, although I've been an anxiety sufferer since I was 15...I'm now 32. Always just "dealt" (mmm as such) with it on my own...but it's effecting my life & my little girl is just use to me doing nothing now...and that hurts me so bad. I hope I'm not going to be thrown into the "to hard basket" & they can help me! Here's to trying anyways ✌
• in reply toAussieKel83
Dont you worry about that. Your approach is the right one - positivity. You are clearly a survivor, with great inner strength. This therapy is another step in your recovery. I am sure that if your daughter learns of your struggle to get well when she is older , she will be very proud of you.
AussieKel83• in reply to
Thank you I sure hope she does, as I don't want my stupid antics rubbing off on her, this is what I need to take control now. She is 5 & no way in the world will I allow her to turn out like me. I'd be proud as punch if she gained some aspects of the "normal" me...just no way the "anxiety" me!
CBT is very effective for anxiety and works very well for most people. It is not a magic wand however and you will have to 'do homework' putting into practice new ways of dealing with your anxiety. You will be taught new strategies to re wire your thought processes so that you can cope with situations in a healthier way and this does take a bit of time and practice. However, you sound like you're up for it so really good luck to you, I am sure you will start feeling better soon and that next year will be much more chilled!
Hi
Thanks for your reply. That's sounds darn perfect to me...the homework part...it will save me reasearching and googling every possible thing that could be wrong with me haha. Have you done CBT yourself? Thank you for such positivity towards me, I really appreciate that and makes me realise I can only try & hopefully I'm one of the ones that is successful.
Kelly X
Hello
Cbt is very effective with people who have anxiety that is taking over their lives. It teach you about flight and fight response and how to ignore negative thoughts.
Sometimes people also need general counselling too
Hope it helps you !
Hi Lils,
Thanks so much for that info. CBT definitely seems like the way to go
If anyone can help me with my negative ridiculous thoughts, then they deserve a medal lol.
Thank you again.
Kelly X
Hi Kelly, No problem. I hope it really helps you! I think you also have to believe in it too positivity Is key and it's good you have an open mind about it all.
I've had Cbt for negitive thinking a few years ago now and it really did make a difference. Negitive thinking is quite distressing because you actually believe it, but really they are just passing thoughts...although they are negitive and can be isolating.
I'm a counsellor too and often use Cbt with people who come to see me. Cbt breaks the vicious cycle of anxiety. It will push you out of your comfort zone a bit because you are confronting your thoughts but take your time.
I think when people know what kind of different help with regards to the types counselling is out there they generally know what kind of therapy they need.
Let us know how it goes!
Wow, it most certainly sounds like it's for me with. I like the idea of it having to push me out of my comfort zone. This is something I need...as in, I want to be able to walk through a shopping centre like I used to without thinking of the nearest exit! But the main thing I want to be able to do is...my little girl starts "big school" kindergarten in 2016....I want to be able to drive her, sit through school performances, award nights etc. and I want to be able to do this on my own without one of my family members coming with me. I've stopped drinking due to my Panic attacks, and I stopped footnote out pretty much all together. I owe it to my little
Girl for missing out on things that I could have attended. I feel like I owe her the world & beat myself up about it everyday. But I can only change the future, not the past...so hopefully CBT is for me & I'll be zooming her to school next year with hi worries in the world
Thanks X
they wouldn't let me finish it due to anxiety etc
Really, why was that?
I'm thinking of motorcycle training cbt lol
Oh hahaha. Well maybe you you could try the CBT for anxiety & then you'll be able to finish what you started with the motorcycle training 👍🏻
It works!! Stick with it, work hard at it....it's amazing.
I sure will be thank you have you tired it yourself Hun?
Hey you sound like me 🙈 It's horrible I only started getting anxiety when my step dad sent us to Spain for a holiday knowing he was dying and we didn't 
anyway I'm also starting cbt soon and I'm hoping it's going to get my life back on track I have all sorts of horrible visions that I would rather not have! I'm continuously checking my body when I feel something I'm straight at the doctors he always tells me as I'm very slim I will be able to find things so I'm trying to get fat 😂 Good luck!!! 😘 Xx
AussieKel83• in reply to
Oh babe I'm so sorry to hear about your step dad! That must have been so hard for you.
You sure you're not my twin? Haha...expect I'm fat trying to get skinny lol. Anxiety is such a horrible thing & plays so many bad tricks on us. We need to remember that they are only thoughts & can never hurt us...(easier said than done). I start my CBT this coming Monday, when do you start yours?
Little thing I've been doing the last couple of days...meditation & hypnosis online. I've found a few apps & also some fab channels on YouTube! I've been able to follow everything they say (normally I can't sit still) Google mindfulness hypnosis or mediation videos and they will come up on your search, then go through & find ones you like. At least maybe give it a try & see how you go
Chat soon xxx
• in reply toAussieKel83
Haha it's awful isn't it.. As soon as I wake up I'm checking my body 🙈 It's hard I try explain to my boyfriend and he looks and me like I'm on drugs it's hard coz they don't understand what people go through with this!! Aww wow I start mine Wednesday coming was lucky to get in so quick and I can't wait to start it! I'm gunna Google now and have a look what I can find!! Rather Google that than symptoms!! 😘 Good luck with your cbt ☺️ Xx
AussieKel83• in reply to
Hahaha totally! Mine just tells me to shut up and stop being an idiot! Ummmm if it were that easy don't you think I would? Haha! Yes, I was so wanting to get in before Xmas...petrified about seeing family Xmas day and walking around like a nut case, so hoping I can learn some techniques that can at least get me through until the next session! Yeah, have a search. Theirs a guy called Michael sealy on YouTube, he's really good & another guy called David fairweather. I've found them both really good. I much prefer a man voice than a women's...a women's sounds strange & not as calming! Soooo much better than googling symptoms...I've stopped doing that now, so now I just good hypnosis hahaha! Bloody one thing after another! Will def let you know how Monday goes! WE CAN DO THIS! Xxxxxx
Haha mine to I said you should have this just for one day see how you feel!! I asked him to look health anxiety up on google but he won't because I'm always right 😂 I was saying to my sister I wish they would hurry up half hour later they were on the phone and booked me in! Did you go for a group session or one on one? I was considering meds this morning but I think I'm just going to go for cbt first! I like a mans voice they sound hypnotising haha! Gunna screen shot this and have a look!! Thank you so much!! Can't wait to hear about it!! WE CAN KICK ANXIETY BACK TO WHERE IT CAME FROM 💪🏽 xx
AussieKel83• in reply to
Haha totally always right 🤓 Mines a one on one & I get 12 free sessions under this government funded thing call "ATAPS". Where abouts are you from? I'm on meds, but hopefully after I get an amazing result from CBT (positive thinking 👍🏻) I'll be able to come off my meds! Ooooohhhhhh yeah....enough is enough 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻!
Yeh I went for 1 on 1 and I get 10 sessions on the nhs! I'm from England (Bristol.. I was considering meds but they scare the shit out of me!! Just reading the side effects 🙈 Xx
AussieKel83• in reply to
Oh that's good then. Lol...I'm a massive side effect reader as well...but that's the worst thing we can do! I google every symptom, side effect, people's reviews...but it only makes me worse. Thing we need to remember, no one is the same...so we may find meds that don't work for you/me etc but they work for the next person. Its all trial and error...but maybe now instead of looking up side effects & stuff...look up meditation & hypnosis..! I've found that's stopped me thinking so much about what to anxiety symptom I need to research next. Try it...see if it helps xxx
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