Finally trying to address my anxiety - Anxiety Message Board

MSJade · 03-13-2004, 11:48 PM

I've decided I have to finally do something about my anxiety. I was diagnosed with social phobia/dythemia about 17 years ago. Went on prozac and was cured of the dythemia. Still had the social phobia. Tried paxil about five years ago. It didn't help and it was hell getting off it. Finally, I had weight loss surgery, dropped 150 pounds and the social phobia/shyness has pretty much gone. Now I've developed general anxiety. About six months ago, I had an STD scare and have worried about that constantly since then. I've spent hundreds of dollars getting tested for the same diseases even when I was told I was fine. I've been drinking almost every night. (Usually just two glasses of wine which makes me tipsy because of my weight loss surgery.) I went to see a psychologist, but stopped seeing her for a while and now she says she doesn't have any openings. I had a psychiatrist give me prozac, but only took it for a while because I feel my problem is more related to anxiety then depression. I worry and think of strange scenarios about nearly everything. I cry so easily. I need to take hold of this, but don't know what to do. I feel like medical personnel have let me down. I'm trying to figure the best way to go about getting rid of this anxiety. Can anyone recommend a book or program to me?

billy7772 · 03-14-2004, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSJade

I've decided I have to finally do something about my anxiety. I was diagnosed with social phobia/dythemia about 17 years ago. Went on prozac and was cured of the dythemia. Still had the social phobia. Tried paxil about five years ago. It didn't help and it was hell getting off it. Finally, I had weight loss surgery, dropped 150 pounds and the social phobia/shyness has pretty much gone. Now I've developed general anxiety. About six months ago, I had an STD scare and have worried about that constantly since then. I've spent hundreds of dollars getting tested for the same diseases even when I was told I was fine. I've been drinking almost every night. (Usually just two glasses of wine which makes me tipsy because of my weight loss surgery.) I went to see a psychologist, but stopped seeing her for a while and now she says she doesn't have any openings. I had a psychiatrist give me prozac, but only took it for a while because I feel my problem is more related to anxiety then depression. I worry and think of strange scenarios about nearly everything. I cry so easily. I need to take hold of this, but don't know what to do. I feel like medical personnel have let me down. I'm trying to figure the best way to go about getting rid of this anxiety. Can anyone recommend a book or program to me?

The answer for me was cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt). I was on meds for many years before I found cbt and it cured me and got me off meds in a remarkably short period of time. Best of all once you learn the tools in cbt you have them forever so you are able to give yourself relief almost instantly whenever you are feeling stressed, anxious or down. It's all about using the tools to learn to think more clearly and accurately about things and once you do your anxiety, panic and depression will miraculously begin to lift before your eyes. My favorite starter book on cbt is "been there, done that? Do this! By sam *****. It takes a lot of effort but is well worth it in my opinion. Like anything in life the more you put in the more you get out of cbt

Billy

MSJade · 03-14-2004, 10:07 AM

Thanks, Billy. I ran an internet search on the book and ordered it. I'm also going to look more into cognitive behaviorial therapy. I believe some medicines can happen for short term, but eventually there is something you have to learn to help you cope the rest of your life. I'm going to try to stay in this group to talk to others who have gone through this and to try and help others much like one would do in a 12 step program. I agree with the quote at the end of your post. I have to do something to help myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy7772

The answer for me was cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt). I was on meds for many years before I found cbt and it cured me and got me off meds in a remarkably short period of time. Best of all once you learn the tools in cbt you have them forever so you are able to give yourself relief almost instantly whenever you are feeling stressed, anxious or down. It's all about using the tools to learn to think more clearly and accurately about things and once you do your anxiety, panic and depression will miraculously begin to lift before your eyes. My favorite starter book on cbt is "been there, done that? Do this! By sam *****. It takes a lot of effort but is well worth it in my opinion. Like anything in life the more you put in the more you get out of cbt

Billy

billy7772 · 03-16-2004, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSJade

Thanks, Billy. I ran an internet search on the book and ordered it. I'm also going to look more into cognitive behaviorial therapy. I believe some medicines can happen for short term, but eventually there is something you have to learn to help you cope the rest of your life. I'm going to try to stay in this group to talk to others who have gone through this and to try and help others much like one would do in a 12 step program. I agree with the quote at the end of your post. I have to do something to help myself.

Hi MSJade-
I think that is great! There are several people on this board at the same place you are so hopefully we can all help eachother

Helping yourself is key as you noted in your reply to me. I just responded to lbp35 who just got her copy of the ***** book and is loving it already so hopefully you guys/gals can meet up on here and work together on your TEA forms etc and I will be here to help to and try and answer any questions. I was on meds when I learned CBT and they were helpful in keeping me going until I found CBT but were never going to cure my problems. I was always told I'd me on meds the rest of my life prior to finding CBT. I still do the TEA form several times a week and whenever I am under stress and life keeps getting better and better

I hope you have similar success

I can recommend another great book if you like what you see in the ***** book but I don't want to rush you so focus on the tools in the ***** book first.

Take care and keep in touch!

Billy

MSJade · 03-16-2004, 09:41 PM

Thanks Billy. I've gotten Sam Ovitz book and am reading it now. I hope it works for me too. I do recognize so many of the things I do like jumping to conclusions and I am going to try my best to work his program because I definitely want to rid myself of anxiety. I know I have to try and help myself. I've been thinking of getting a therapist that does CBT, but am having difficulty finding one in this area. I have never felt that me just talking about my problems were helpful. I remember the last time I was in therapy, I wanted my therapist to say something like you do recognize that such and such thought is pretty crazy. Never did just listened and sympathized which just didn't work for me. Just as Ovitz said in his book, I might feel better when I came out of therapy, but I needed something to help me when I was not sitting in the chair talking to the therapist. Teach me how to fish! I hope we can talk again soon!