Medication and Self help. Would you say that you have to help yourself as well as being on meds, to help change your pattern of anxiety?

[pccogni]

[GeordieGirl]

Hi

I think everyone is different - but I was on anti depressants for 5 years to treat my anxiety and I think they just masked my problems instead of solving them. I still suffer with anxiety but I can control it now without meds - don't think I really needed them just needed to change my mindset. But as I say everyone is different this is just what happened to me.

[pccogni in reply to GeordieGirl]

Very interesting, I agree with the mindset and changing of behaviours etc. Did you have CBT or just try and change certain aspects in your life that you believed to be the triggers to the problems?

I know all about the self help and agree totally but I found that at the moment i needed something to help me as it has been quite bad and was effecting people around me as well. I hope that I can do away with meds at some point. I totally agree that we are all different, the same with the Meds, what works for one, will not for another.

[GeordieGirl in reply to pccogni]

Yes, I went through CBT for about 5 months, one thing did stick with me - the therapist said why worry about things that you can't change - what a true statement. I used to dwell on everything ... I still do but this statement really helps me for some reason. The CBT was on the NHS and wasn't all great as I felt I was on a conveyor belt, see how quick they can fix me and move onto the next ...!! I'm now seeing a private therapist, can't really afford it, but its worth every penny. Its art psychotherapy and I feel it really works for me. I really connect with the therapist which I think is half the battle. I also do as pingu says ... Meditation, mindfulness, positive thinking and most importantly for me exercise. I love running and it can change my moods so dramatically for the better!! I understand what you mean about feeling you need the meds, I think you always have to listen to your body and especially your frame of mind and if its what you need right now then it must be right for you. As Sam rightly says we can't sit back, we have to fight and work at it every day and find what is best for each of us.

[Pingu]

Yes I believe that to get the best results you have to help yourself. It is only you at the end of the day that can change. Your doctor can prescribe medication and thatcan be a great help to some people but its the other work that you do that gets the best results. Relaxation, mindfulness, cbt, positive thinking, exposure therapy, vitamins, change of diet, change of lifestyle, these are all things that we can do to help ourselves. its really had to do these but I think we can reduce a lot of anxiety by doing these things.

[pccogni]

Pingu.....you are so spot on. makes perfect sense

Hi by the way

[Pickle165]

yes of course you have to help yourself to an extend, pills are not magic and neither are thearapist. anyone that thinks that they can just sit back and think that tablets and other people do the work are completely wrong.x

[greengrape]

There's no quick fix when it comes to getting rid of anxiety. Different people respond to different types of therapy. Sadly it doesn't help everybody. Some people (and I'm one of them) need medication just to function as the physical symptoms when anxious can be so debilitating. I think there is some excellent self help material about these days though on the internet, in books, cds etc and really supportive charities like Anxiety UK. If you keep searching and try different approaches you're bound to find something that works for you. Keeping occupied, exercising and having an interest/hobby helps me. Don't give up I say!

[lottysunshine]

yes ! I think you have to be seen trying to help yourself by the docs.. I have used cbt as well as mindfulness which I found quite helpful.( I suffer anxiety and depression and when under extreme stress, psychosis)

[Lotte1]

I just can agree to everyone! You have to work on yourself for yourself! No one else can take on YOUR battle, it's yours, you have to go through it and you choose which way you do it. If you choose to take meds, to see a psychologist, see a herbalist, ...any way, if it is working for you, will be ok! I did try once - even though I am a total believer of natural medicine -fuck the pharma! - antidepressants, or whatever they gave me, I felt even more awful, like wrapped in cotton, living in a bubble...so I quit those pills from on day to another, which was awkward ...like a jetlag... Be active, do sports, eat healthy (seasonal), nowadays -organic- grow even your own veggies... get a pet... get in touch with friends...talk, never stop talking, having conversations... meditate and pray... positive affirmations...mindfulness... mix all the good stuff up for your own needs!!! You can do it!!!