I have suffered from severe anxiety my entire life, but over the past few years, my panic has become debilitating. I have become severely agoraphobic. I also find it impossible to relax. I have multiple panic attacks during the night and, as a result, am severely sleep deprived. I have been able to function off and on throughout my life, but during high stress periods, I have been forced to see a doctor. Every time, I was diagnosed with and treated for depression—rather than the long-term anxiety that caused the depression. I desperately want to find an intensive treatment program targeted for anxiety and/or PTSD. What I DON’T want is to waste any more time or money putting bandaids on what is a wound that never seems to heal. I am looking for a program that is specific to anxiety, and ntensive enough to help me break through what has become a huge barrier to my health and well-being. However, in search of such a program, I continue to run into dead ends. Unfortunately, I live in Oklahoma, a state that offers only the most basic mental health services. I cannot afford private pay luxury facilities, but I do have Medicare and an Aetna health insurance policy—that together will pay 100 percent of care if the provider accepts Medicare. Can anyone recommend a PTSD/Anxiety treatment program somewhere in the U.S. that might meet my needs? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
I Need a Recommendation for an Intensive A... - Anxiety Support
I Need a Recommendation for an Intensive Anxiety/PTSD Treatment Program!
You can heal your life,self help book by Louise hay helps me.
I’ve heard the Meadows in Wicksburg, AZ is very good. Keep looking, you will find something. ❤️
Have a look at ‘ Rapid Transformational Therapy’ (RTT) online, I’m sure they will have some details there about it.
It’s a mix of hypnotherapy and hypnosis...I am currently in the process of this.. I am of course not sure what access you would have to it in Oklahoma. I am in U.K., I do know it’s practised world wide...and has good reviews.
I hear it is good....
I guess this therapy will affect different people in different ways and the results will be different as we are quite individual in how depression and anxiety affects and the reasons for our anxieties etc... so I wouldn’t go into detail around my experiences at this early stage ....I will say ..I am finding it interesting and positive ...
Good wishes with whatever you pursue xx
I definitely will be researching RTT. I had not heard of it. Excited about ANY new treatment.
Hope and Help for your Nerves by Dr Claire Weekes (book title may differ stateside) or visit anxietynomore.co.uk. The creator of this website recovered by following the principles pioneered by the late Dr Weekes and has published a couple of books too. I overcame anxiety too following the same teachings and naturally advocate anybody or any thing that is based upon the principles of acceptance. Acceptance takes a bit of practice because it involves developing a different attitude towards anxiety and depression, or any other fear based disorder such as PTSD, OCD, agoraphobia, social anxiety, relationship anxiety, health anxiety etc etc. Instead of fighting the symptoms, it is all about accepting them and learning to be ok about not feeling ok. Through knowledge and understanding, you gradually strip away your fear of the symptoms of anxiety which is the sole reason why people stay stuck in the fear-adrenalin-fear cycle and don’t recover. So long as fear is in the equation, anxiety will still persist. The self help books will explain everything you need to know and how to overcome the disorder. I’m afraid that there is no quick fix out there and would avoid anything that tells you otherwise, especially those who want to charge you for the privilege. Chronic, inappropriate, debilitating levels of anxiety is caused by sensitisation of the sympathetic nervous system through continuous tension and stress and takes time to de-sensitise and for normal thoughts and feelings to return.
I have also posted a lot of information on this website based upon my own experiences during my road to recovery which you may find helpful. Also, keep a look out for posts from Jeff1943 and Calm Mama who also understand what it takes to recover through acceptance. Apologies if I’ve missed anyone else but like I said, if they talk about acceptance instead of distraction, or any other type of technique to try and stop feeling the symptoms of anxiety, they are worth their salt.
Best wishes
Beevee
AMAZING post and great explanation of the process B!
Thank you. How are you doing?
I have my immediate surroundings in good shape. My greatest challenges are " getting from here to there" Traveling a distance is difficult, regardless of car, train, plane.........etc. I am still " stuck" in the "what if" while I am on the journey. I seem to be fine once I get there. It's the, getting there, I need practice with.
The upside is that I have mastered what I need to do and where I need to go for all things local everyday, and I never think about it any more. That is nice progress!
Indy
Great stuff. Distance or destination are not the things holding you back. It is learning to cope with the thoughts and feelings the right way by accepting them. You can go anywhere, anytime. It is just anxiety making you think it isnt possible and what you are doing by going places is calling its bluff. Onwards and upwards my friend.
I had never been introduced to ACCEPTANCE before this forum 2 years ago!
You are 100% right!
Onward and upward! Thank you
In my opinion the medical profession and many therapists, psychiatrists and counsellors still haven't cottoned on to the fact that acceptance works because they have not been through it. They have little idea and all too quick to prescribe medication (sticking plaster) which can provide temporary relief but doesn't help the sufferer to overcome fear which is the root cause. If fear returns, so too will all the symptoms of anxiety because the sufferer hasnt learned how to cope with the symptoms the right way by facing, accepting, floating past and letting time pass. It should be taught in schools. Forearmed is forewarned and could help prevent many people, young or old, from suffering unnecessarily. The only downside is that it does not bring instant results but it will eventually bring permanent relief from the symptoms when sufferers are truly accepting and not fighting to change the way they think and feel.
That is definitely progress. You should be proud. I often find myself in your situation in dealing with “getting there”—whether it be a new place or a new situation. Once I have gotten there, I always surprise myself at how relaxed I am, and how much I enjoy the “arriving.” However, the experience does not seem to make getting to my next trip or party any easier. That does not make any sense—especially to me.
Memory and habit are big factors. Like Groundhog Day. Just keep on keeping on and it will fade. Anxiety will lose its power. It is only trying to protect you from perceived danger because you told yourself it is dangerous. You then get stuck in a loop where you fear the feelings of fear which creates more fear. This fear then attaches itself to all sorts of places, situations. Anything that resonates with you tends to stick. This is how people develop OCD, health anxiety, relationship anxiety, social anxiety, agoraphobia etc etc. However, the root cause is the same. Fear. You dont fear people, you dont fear open spaces, you dont fear loved ones. You fear the feelings that might come if placed in those situations. I call these the What ifs? Turn them into So What!?
The only way to overcome it is to keep exposing yourself to those situations that make you feel anxious, accepting all thoughts and feelings that come, and your mind will eventually get the message that there is no threat and stop preparing you to run, hide or freeze in wholly inappropriate circumstances such as going shopping. Your anxiety levels may well be at "Defcon 5" right now and will take time to get back to "No threat" level and stand down i.e. peace of mind and body.
I know intellectually that everything you say is true. I’ve studied anxiety and I understand how it works. It is just very hard to do it by myself. Believe me, I’ve tried. In my family, seeking professional help has huge stigma attached to it. Everybody thinks they have experienced “anxiety,” and it is easy to say, “Get over yourself. Everybody has anxiety.” In a way it is like saying, “Get over yourself. Everybody has Cancer!” And ironically I’ve been through Cancer, surgery, and nearly a year of chemo, and Cancer was a walk in the park compared to Severe Anxiety.
I'm here for you. Having been through what you have been through, I can safely say you have all the courage you need to recover...by the bucket load.
The way to recovery is simple. Following the principle of acceptance is not. Like Dr Weekes said, it is not easy to accept the fire that consumes, not easy to work with the fire burning. It's not easy to accept and work with a body that feels as if it is vibrating, shaking, with stomach churning, limbs aching, heart pounding, sight blurred, head swimming. She understood all this, including the scary thoughts and knew acceptance would still bring peace of mind and body. The lady never said it was impossible. It is possible, entirely possible.
Christians read the bible and live by the teachings. This is the depth i went to in order to recover. I didnt pay lip service to the content. I truly went for it, accepting everything. No half measures. I avoided nothing when it might have been easier to hide away (I had no hiding places, no safe zone). I was determined to get my life back. It was rough, very rough but as my knowledge and understanding of acceptance improved things started to get easier, even though some symptoms still hung around for a while.
Dr Weekes' Essential Help For Your Nerves was my bible, The Old Testament if you like. My New Testament was At Last a Life by Paul David and his blog. So much wisdom from others who had gone through tbe recovery process which I absorbed and applied. Now I know what acceptance means, I can never end up in the same depths of despair I felt at the height of my suffering. It was all self inflicted, albeit unwittingly. Conned into it by not recognising the symptoms of stress ehich stressed me even more!
I now have the tools. In the unlikely event that I fond myself in a similar position, I am fully equipped to get out. I say "unlikel" because I no longer fear anxiety and that is the sole reason why it is there. I lost the fear by learning to accept.
I am no different to you. I have no special powers, probably less courage than you but when we human beings need to step up to the plate, anything is possible. You have got this and will help all I can.
That is exactly how I feel, too. I do not understand why it seldom gets easier.
I am told time and again, OH GREAT, you just did that, now you don't have any problems doing it again. * gulp* uhhhhh noooooooo
I completely understand!
I intend to go back and find your other posts. It is so nice to find such wisdom in someone who shares my experiences.
Just happy to help.
Thank you. I have heard good things about Laureate. I was not sure about their anxiety treatment. Thanks so much.
hi so sorry to hear of your particular battle with anxiety and depression,im older and have survived 72yrs,had social anxiety and now the present day type,which renders me a recluse ,and im completely and utterly alone in my present battle to overcome Anxiety-my main recommendation is Dr Claire Weeks her books are invaluable--she is online too-please try and listen to her wise remedies as once a sufferer herself ---she is no longer with us but has left behind the only in depth understanding of nerves and how they react to stress and anxiety(her books should be in the local library),please get in touch again.
It is nice to hear from someone close to my age. I think one of the things that bothers me most is that I have not learned to overcome my anxiety, in spite of decades of therapy, meditation, outpatient treatment, EMDR, self-hypnosis. and medication. I seem to be triggered more easily now than when I was younger.
I have always been an introvert—meaning I enjoy my own company, and find most social situations uncomfortable. On the other hand, in a more controlled environment, where there is a routine, like at a workplace, I have always flourished. Oddly, though I make friends easily, I always push the away—never let them become too close. The fact that I find myself retired and living in an empty nest has proven to be far more difficult than I expected. I have to come to terms with that.
I am going to find Dr. Week’s books today. Thank you so much for your help.
lori,
if there is anything at all that I can do from here, to have you get up, get dressed and go outside to take a deep breath of fresh air, I will do so.
Are you in the US or the UK?
That is so sweet. I am in U.S. And I can’t help but wonder if the current political climate of hate and drama that exists here doesn’t exacerbate anxiety and depression. It is impossible to get away from the trauma. It is like you are always on high alert, waiting for the next horrendous mass shooting or climate tragedy. It is not a matter of “if” but “when.”
nice gesture Indigo,in fact its the nicest ive had in a very long time,in the UK,hope your well and giving others upliftment.take care.
Hi!
I am you! Depression and anxiety attacks have brought me to no friends, no interests, agoraphobia, & a boatload of physical manifestations. Every morning for the last 7 years or so, I wake up and want to go to the hospital. Regular or Psych is the dilemma. Been there, done that. They'll discharge me with the names of some psych. doctors & forget they ever met me before I'm out of the building.
SO. I had my first panic attack at 17 and it's been a downward spiral to today at 58 yrs. old. About a month ago, I decided I didn't care if the Xanax I had was addictive and could deepen the depression. I wasn't going to live cowering in fear if there was a medication I could use. For God's sake, I want to be able to just walk out the door and go put gas in my car without 2 hours of trying to work up the courage.
God made doctors, doctors made Xanax, so I think I'm safe there 
I wasn't going to tough it out and I'm done with the medical community except for getting scripts. I've seen so many doctors and therapists & had so many tests done I lost count years ago. Done.
If I have in my hands something that will improve the quality of life tremendously, I'm there. I don't care what people think about that decision or that they think I'm taking the easy way out. This is my life & I've been through hell and back with this mentally, physically, & financially and now I'm going to try to enjoy all I have. Today.
Seriously, no one knows when they're going to die and I'm done looking for solutions. That's an empty well at this point.
A little peace is long overdue & the stigma is going to be put in the tank.
I'm going to have some good days. Damn it! 😊
I soooo much agree—and understand. It is wonderful to hear from someone who truly “understands.” I, too, have been through it all. ER visits, doctors who roll their eyes, family members who treat you like everything you say or do is a lie (I almost died several years ago because no one believed my appendicitis symptoms were real) until my appendix ruptured. I do believe that there is a non-pharmaceutical cure for anxiety, and it does come down to retraining your brain. Problem is I haven’t been able to do it by myself. I try. But literally cannot make myself go outside most of the time. I get to the door, reach to open it, and immediately become ill. And then I go back and get in bed. My life keeps shrinking. And I’ve lost the will to push it open.
hi Angelam,thanks for the reply,Im based in Scotland,and unfortuneately, cant give any advice on where to find intensive treatment.theres not sufficient/adequate help in the Uk.-and that's why I mentioned the bk by Dr Claire Weekes,she also mentions agoraphobia how to deal with it.I must say your photo potrays a lovely caring person ,and lts a pity that both our lives have been marred by this type of condition......my earlier days were also blighted by a socio/phobia similar to agoraphobia didn't go out for years and used alcohol and diazepam as a crutch.,which of course wasn't ideal...….Im sure this forum could come up with some ideas,Im looking for a new hobby,maybe take up the guitar again,though I prefer singing. Anyway,good luck with your search....
Yes, pick up the guitar again! And singing. I don’t think there is anything more healing than music. I’ve been considering dusting off my guitar. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but no body has to hear me. Funny how easily we let go of those simple things that gave us pleasure. My brother and I used to play and sing together, especially at Christmas. Recently my kids told me the best things they remember about Christmas were those times when we sang Christmas Carols around the piano, with guitars, and banjos, harmonicas, and even kazoos. I don’t know why that tradition didn’t continue. It seems like suddenly everybody was too busy to enjoy Christmas.
Have you thought about writing music? I used to write poetry when I was in high school and college, and it was very cathartic. I’ve wondered recently if could write song lyrics—just for myself. Perhaps express some emotions that are so stuck inside that I have a panic attack when I let myself think of them. I’ve tried just writing about these events in a memoir, but I get very upset and can’t continue—which tells me that they need to come out in a safer form. Of course, I guess you couldn’t call anything that intense s hobby!
If this is too personal, don’t feel you have to answer, but I was wondering if your anxiety is a result of childhood trauma. I struggle with whether anxiety is hard-wired into our brains as a result of nature or a because of some terrible failure in the nurturing process. I know depression can be hereditary, but not sure about anxiety. I don’t want my children to ever have to go through what I have been through. That is the primary reason I feel compelled to find an answer.
I have ordered Dr. Weekes’ book.
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