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#1
May 10, 2012, 06:32 PM
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Hi everyone,
I am new here. I have GAD and chronic insomnia, and I have also had panic attacks in the past. I am currently considering going back to therapy, as I am desperately trying to get better. My anxiety is consuming my life and prevents me from being me and living a normal life. I have trouble opening up to a therapist, and was wondering how any of you have dealt with this. I don't have the option to go through years of therapy, only about 10 sessions. How do you open up to a stranger sitting in front of you when you are consumed with anxiety? |
 carrie_ann, Seshat, skyscraper
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#2
May 12, 2012, 03:50 PM
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Welcome to PC. I have GAD and used to have panic attacks. When I started therapy I knew I was not going to be jumping up and down with joy about it but I also knew I needed it. It was so hard for me to open up to the therapist and it took a few months but it has helped a lot. My GAD and other problems are not as bad as they used to be.
__________________
"Handsome is as handsome does". - proverb  "People say words can't hurt, but that's not true". "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere". – Agnes Repplier |
| SeekingZen
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#3
May 16, 2012, 10:23 PM
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Hi Seshat,
Thanks. It's good to hear your GAD is a lot better! What has worked for you? SeekingZen |
| Seshat
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#4
May 16, 2012, 10:59 PM
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When I first went to therapy, and that was over 20 years ago, I went to group therapy. I was young, 20, and was very scared of sharing anything and had pretty severe anxiety. It took me a whole year before I started speaking up, and I wanted to run away so bad, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. I was in that group for 7 years, and now I speak about my feelings much more easily. So I guess the point to my rambling is that perhaps with practice it will get easier? I hope this is true for you.
As for what specifically helped me? Time certainly helped. Therapy has helped. Medication has helped me for sure. And just pushing through the fear and anxiety when I could. That was the hardest part, and it has gotten easier for sure with time and practice. Thanks for posting!
__________________
dailyhealing "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." - Helen Keller Strange how people who suffer together have stronger connections than those who are most content. –Bob Dylan “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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#5
May 19, 2012, 09:54 PM
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Quote:
Hi. Thanks! I'm sorry I'm a little late. I had a busy week and didn't get the chance to come to PC. What has worked for me: Of course, therapy is what has helped the most, but I had to change my diet a little bit and start exercising regularly. I keep a diary as well. Doing things that motivate me or make me laugh helps a lot too.
__________________
"Handsome is as handsome does". - proverb "People say words can't hurt, but that's not true". "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere". – Agnes Repplier |
| SeekingZen
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#6
May 20, 2012, 08:53 AM
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Try writing things down and handing it to your therapist
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 SeekingZen
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#7
May 20, 2012, 09:48 AM
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Yes, that (nicole's advice) is what many of us do with an intense subject. I recommend it highly. Type a letter of introduction to your anxiety; go to a therapist and give it to him or her to read. After you start feeling braver, you could still write but read it out loud to your T. Good luck!
__________________
My life resembles something that has not occurred. I am a birdcage without any bird. E.E. Cummings |
| SeekingZen
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#8
Jun 22, 2012, 02:00 AM
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Nicole,
Thank you for that suggestion. Ironically, I have been thinking about doing that. I guess I feel uncomfortable discussing things that happened decades ago. I know that I need to get over that feeling so that I can learn how to get past the shame and guilt I have carried with me my whole life. Has anyone else felt uncomfortable bringing up issues of trauma from decades ago? Is there any way to get past the fear of judgement that there is something wrong w/ me b/c I haven't been able to "just get over it" as some have suggested? Quote:
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#9
Jun 22, 2012, 02:06 AM
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Seshat,
Thank you for your reply. I haven't been back to T yet, but I plan to next week. I need to go back to eating healthier and exercising regularly too. You're right, that does make a difference. The last 6 months have been very stressful, and I slacked on the workouts and good eating habits. Wish me luck please  Quote:
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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