[anxietyman]

Hi all,

I've been seeing a hynotherapist for the last few weeks to try and combat some of the symptoms of my anxiety. Although it worked for me a few years ago it seems to be ineffective now because the symptoms are far more severe.

I saw a T last week who has referred me to CBT. Not something i've tried before. Im not entirely sure how CBT works.

My question is has anybody used CBT as a remedy for chronic anxiety? And do the sessions combat the physical symptoms such as tremors, trembling and aches and pains? I understand that the physical symptoms are connected to the general anxiety, but it feels like they have a life of their own at the moment, coming and going at will. It used to be the anxiety that occured first which then brought on the physical effects. It seems that now the physical symptoms happen first which then brings on anxiety.

Thanks in advance

[OliviaC]

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anxietyman said:

I saw a T last week who has referred me to CBT. Not something i've tried before. Im not entirely sure how CBT works.

My question is has anybody used CBT as a remedy for chronic anxiety? And do the sessions combat the physical symptoms such as tremors, trembling and aches and pains? I understand that the physical symptoms are connected to the general anxiety, but it feels like they have a life of their own at the moment, coming and going at will. It used to be the anxiety that occured first which then brought on the physical effects. It seems that now the physical symptoms happen first which then brings on anxiety.

Thanks in advance

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Definitely CBT is used all the time for anxiety/panic. My current T uses it and they have many practical steps for combating anxiety such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises, all kinds of things that can cut down/reduce need for medications.
Good luck!
Olivia

[anxietyman]

Hmmm thats good news, thanks

One thing I would say is that im trying to get through this without any powerful meds, they scare me. Im using St Johns Wort and Beta Blockers for the racing heart.

[Soidhonia]

Hello AM.
I hope things get better for you soon. Take care and have a good weekend. Soidhonia

[Juliana]

Hi anxietyman. I did CBT and it helped a lot. I had trouble even identifying any thoughts that were going through my head before and during a panic attack. My anxiety manifested itself in such a physical way. I wouldn't feel it coming... couldn't identify any thoughts or feeling associated with it. I would just get physical symptoms. Bam! Suddenly, I would be nauseous, shaking, unable to swallow and the only thought I could identify was "run away! run away!"

So, I was afraid CBT wouldn't work for me. It did, though. I never got to a point where I could talk myself out of panic attacks -- because they hit so quickly and were so severe. They seemed to be completely physical. The deep breathing that I learned in CBT (and through my yoga practice) were helpful, though. My therapist gave me lists of tasks to work on that helped me challenge myself and get used to being in some of the situations where I usually had my worst attacks. I think of myself as a very logical person, so I need to understand why things happen and how they happen. I got a better understanding of my anxiety, what triggered it and why my body reacted in the way it did. My therapist talked to me very logically and I felt like we were working on solving a problem together.

I took Celexa and Clonazepam to alleviate my agoraphobia and panic attacks enough so that I was calmed down enough to leave my flat and go to therapy. I don't think I would have made such huge improvements (and so quickly) if I hadn't done CBT too.

I'm no longer agoraphobic and I rarely have panic attacks now. I'm living a full live again and anxiety is just a minor obstacle that I challenge and keep working on every day.

Good luck. I hope therapy works as well for you as it did for me!

[anxietyman]

Thanks for the response, my CBT should be starting next week. I've stared doing some pretty intensive weight training recently as somebody told me that exercise can help massively with anxiety and depression. One of the worst side effects for me lately is that I haven't really done anything since Christmas and the exercise has really helped a lot, especially with the trembling etc. I cant recommend it enough!

[Juliana]

I'm glad you're starting CBT. Let us know how it goes.

I agree with you on exercise. It helps me SO much.

[Perna]

There's a good article on CBT in this Forbes magazine, dated April 9. It claims CBT works well on anxiety (and everything else). It's the cover story, "Dump the Couch! And ditch the Zoloft. A new therapy revolution is here.".

[Juliana]

Thanks for the tip, Perna. I'm going to pick up a copy of Forbes when I go out this afternoon.

I wish I could have handled my agoraphobia and anxiety with CBT alone, but it took meds to actually calm me down enough to get me out my front door to GO to therapy. I wish therapists made house-calls.

[anxietyman]

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Juliana said:
I wish therapists made house-calls.

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How ironic