How will therapy help me?

[AbnormallyAnxious]

Something tells me it will worsen things.

[insights]

Something tells me it will worsen things.

How do you think psychotherapy will makes things worse?

Ian

[AbnormallyAnxious]

Like maybe I'll get the habit of going to her and then when I don't go I'll end up a total mess. Plus I don't see how it could help me.. I see more reasons why it wouldn't. Like I'll go in there and she'll tell me what's wrong and I'll complain about my heart fears. What could she do?

[insights]

Like maybe I'll get the habit of going to her and then when I don't go I'll end up a total mess.

Modern therapies such as CBT and REBT are conducted over very short time frames, maybe 12 visits. They are not the old Freudian talking therapies where you whine to the therapist about your mother for an hour every week for years.

Plus I don't see how it could help me.. I see more reasons why it wouldn't. Like I'll go in there and she'll tell me what's wrong and I'll complain about my heart fears. What could she do?

Teach you how to reevaluate your fears and how to deal with them.

Ian

[stevo1111]

Therapy is the ONLY thing that I can genuinely say has helped me in a real and lasting way.

What I've gained can be summed up briefly. You can choose to be in charge of your thoughts and emotions. If you let it go, then you're at the mercy of your mind which may be wired for self defeating and self doubting thoughts. Therapy gives you the tools to determine what thoughts are the self defeating thoughts, and begin to negate them and stop them so that eventually your brain, which is really quite repetitive and boring, gives up on them and lets you be at peace. You're the captain of your own ship. If you let the wheel go it's going to go with the current, the ebbs and flows. Negative thoughts will jerk the wheel, but it's your job to jerk it back and steer through to where YOU want to be.

[AbnormallyAnxious]

She'll probably look at me like I'm insane while listening to me say; "I used to think I have _____, now I think I have _____". Then she'll just pat me on the back and tell me; "No you don't, silly. Now go home."

[Beth0810]

Not at all!  What you will find in therapy is that you are not unique- that what you are dealing with has a name, it is a disorder, and the therapist has seen it hundreds of times.  Then, you will be given tools to handle what you are dealing with, and you will feel so much better about everything!  Therapy will help you in ways that you can't even imagine. 

I say go for it.  Give it a try.  You have no idea what you are missing until you try it. 

[AbnormallyAnxious]

Well you see, I have medicaid and it will expire on February 5th because I'll be turning 19 . So I don't think I'll have a chance to get into therapy..

I was in the library yesterday looking for Hope And Help For Your Nerves, and they don't even have it!! :'(

[e77]

Good book. You can order it through amazon.  Pass through panic is a cd by the same author that you can get too.  The book and cd are helpful and I use both frequently.  Take care

[AbnormallyAnxious]

I've no money to do any ordering :L. & I don't get panic attacks. I'm starting to believe I don't have anxiety because panic attacks is something every person with anxiety gets. Maybe I have something else?

[insights]

I'm starting to believe I don't have anxiety because panic attacks is something every person with anxiety gets.

Not so. People with a specific variant, Panic Disorder, often experience panic attacks (anyone can have the odd panic attack, even those without an anxiety disorder, PAs are more common than most realise). However, most anxiety sufferers experience anxiety at other levels ranging from more or less continual uneasiness, to anxiety only in specific situations and the sudden flashback fears of PTSD.

As for costs, there may be low cost alternatives that you could access. For example, is there a nearby university with a psychology program that offers therapy conducted by supervised students? Your doctor should know what is available in your area.

Ian

[coeus]

I've no money to do any ordering :L. & I don't get panic attacks. I'm starting to believe I don't have anxiety because panic attacks is something every person with anxiety gets. Maybe I have something else?

Psychoeducation is the first and foremost necessity for recovery. Without psychoeducation and the fundamental understanding of what may go through the mind and our behaviours in terms of anxiety and/or panic, it's difficult to find the best route for recovery.

Not all sufferers from anxiety experience chronic or even intermittent panic attacks, for example, generalised anxiety in accordance to the DSM criteria does not make any mention of panic symptoms. Of course, comorbidity can occur but it can't be universally said that those with anxiety tend to experience panic symptoms as well.

As for low-cost therapies, community health service centres can provide these services as a minimal cost. Also, university campuses may have free counselling services with qualified counsellor who are knowledgeable in anxiety symptoms. Despite all this, the best you can do for yourself is to gradually find a way to see a fully qualified, accredited, compassionate and experienced psychologist - their responsibility is to provide the care and knowledge in helping you understand what you're going through when you're unclear about it yourself. A self-diagnosis is not the way to go about this. Before you can truly mind your mind, educate yourself first.

Hope this helps.

[AbnormallyAnxious]

So a psychologist would be better than a therapist?

[coeus]

No, a 'psychologist' and 'therapist' tend to be used interchangeably. They aren't the same but there are some elements to note.

A psychologist typically has a background in rigorous research and extensive training in understanding human behaviour. Specifically, you would be looking for either a 'general' or 'clinical' psychologist - both differ in terms of their qualifications, experience and the services they offer.

A clinical psychologist usually has extensive qualifications, i.e. their undergraduate degree (with honours), a master's in psychology, sometimes a doctorate and is registered with a formal body of accreditation for psychologists. They usually charge more than a general psychologist.

A therapist is a broad term for referring to an individual who may or may not be trained in practicing psychotherapy. Therefore, a psychologist can be a psychotherapist.

Take your time in finding out about a psychologist's qualifications and their experience. They are trained in helping clients in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner (since you're afraid that they may judge you and what you may have). Be proactive in educating yourself and then choose a reliable psychologist when you have the money.

Let me know if you need more information about psychotherapy.

Hope this helps.

[AbnormallyAnxious]

I have a therapy appointment on Tuesday, should I cancel it and wait until the day I can afford a psychologist?

[coeus]

What sort of therapist is it for your Tuesday appointment? Do you know their qualifications and what they specialise in?

If you're referring simply a counsellor, it's still worth seeing them to be able to discuss your concerns with them - they will have knowledge in some areas of psychology. However, if you can afford a psychologist and can obtain a mental health care plan that allows for cheaper access to mental health care facilities and services, you definitely should look into it.

Good luck.

[AbnormallyAnxious]

Would a psychologist accept medicaid?

[coeus]

Hey,

Unfortunately, I can't answer that since I'm from Australia. Here, the health care plan is based on Medicare which entitles an individual to an initial 6 individual therapy sessions with a registered psychologist as well as 6 group therapy sessions all with an allowable rebate. This means that if the psychologist charges a standard fee of $180, Medicare will pay for a large portion of it and will reimburse you a portion of that standard fee that you pay. Once your sessions run out, you can renew your mental health care plan with your GP allowing you a further 4 sessions if required.

It sounds like you're quite new to understanding what you're going through and how psychotherapy works so I've done a little bit of research to help you out. Have a look at these links when you can (your profile says you're from Illinois):

• Medicaid and Psychology - http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/medicaid.aspx
• Illinois Department of Human Services (Mental Health) - http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29728
• DHS Office Locator - http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12
• Illinois Psychology Association - "How a Psychologist Can Help" - http://www.illinoispsychology.org/34

I'm unsure if Medicaid pay for mental health services that you undertake and I would suggest that you contact a governmental mental health centre to find out more information about Medicaid and its mental health care coverage. You could even have a discussion with your doctor - he or she will know if they can create a Medicaid-based mental health care plan for you. Worse comes to worse, check your university campus for free counselling or even community mental health care centres that provide free-to-low-cost counselling sessions. Therapy can certainly help you with understanding your condition (if any) and insight into what you want to do.

Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions about therapy.

[AbnormallyAnxious]

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it.

Well, I've seen a counselor twice so far. I see her every week. I haven't yet seen a difference in me, but maybe it takes time. And the only thing we do is talk... I've been thinking maybe I should see a psychologist instead. But after dealing with me it will send me to a therapist, right? Or what exactly will the psychologist do that a therapist/consular doesn't? Do you guys think I need a psychologist, or should I just stick with the consular?

[coeus]

Hiya,

A counsellor tends to not be as qualified as a psychologist in clinical and academic areas but that's not to say that they can't help. Since you've only seen your counsellor twice, I wouldn't expect any dramatic changes. The changes occur when you commit to the homework and establish the counselling goals that you may have. Maybe it's worth speaking to her about what you really want to achieve. If you feel like it's a dead end with the counsellor, judge whether you want to see a psychologist or not.

A psychologist with have extensive experience with dealing with client who suffer from a wide range of psychological issues. They will also have the training and the background in understanding mental health to support your goals.

Hope this helps.

[cutecat25]

You won't notice a difference in therapy rights away.
It's effect is gradual, it helps unjumble the puzzle peices in your mind, & look at things more clearly.
Also just because you don't experience panic attacks, doesn't mean you don't have anxiety.
I experienced severe health anxiety & OCD for 7 & a half years before I had my first panic symptoms.
It's great your getting help now as it will defiantly help in reducing the risk of your anxiety getting worse.