"My doctor told
me I’d suffer from these anxiety attacks for the rest of my life....."
Advice:
Get a new doctor that understands panic and/or agoraphobia and keeps up with the latest
research.
"My next door
neighbor has had panic attacks for twenty-eight years and she’s not any better. There
must not be any hope for me either....."
Advice:
Read up on the latest research, done in the 1990's. Not only is there hope, there is solid
help. No one has to live with a debilitating anxiety disorder anymore.
"I don’t
want to be drugged out on six or seven medications....."
Advice:
If you are only talking about panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, you do NOT
need to be on six or seven medications. Something is wrong. First line of defense for
panic, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder is a mild anti-anxiety medication.
Keep in mind that every person is different, however, and professional,
medical advice is needed. One other medication may be helpful as well,
depending on the particular anxiety problem and the severity of the condition. Consult your psychiatrist, but seek a
medical person who specializes in the anxiety disorders and again, keeps up with
the latest research.
"No therapist
understands what I’m going through. I’m getting used to these attacks and
I’ll just live and die with them....."
Advice:
It may be difficult, but find a therapist who DOES know what you're going through.
Here is a little known fact: It is much easier in the other psychological areas for a
trained professional to treat people. For example, because everyone goes through
"depressing" days it is easier for the therapist to understand the pain their
patient with depression is going through.
The anxiety disorders are different, however.
Not many therapists ever had a panic attack or has lived with a constantly high level of
anxiety as socially-anxious people do.
It is very hard for people who haven't gone
through an anxiety disorder to understand those of us who have.
Even at
professional meetings, I am surprised at the misfocus, lack of a clear understanding, and
the vagueness of the language when the topic turns to the anxiety disorders. Therefore, finding
a therapist who has gone through one of the anxiety disorders and has overcome it is
definitely your best bet. Look at universities that support anxiety disorders clinics
and at local anxiety disorder clinics that specialize in treating just the anxiety
disorders. For best results, stay away from the therapist/psychologist who advertises or
claims they can treat all kinds of psychological problems. You need a specialist in
this area.
"When I
went to the hospital, they said it was all in my head and that I was making it all up.
Does that mean I’m crazy?"
Advice:
Absolutely not. No one with panic has ever gone "crazy". It is impossible for a
person with panic and/or agoraphobia to become psychotic. Anxiety people are too much
in contact with reality, and know they have a problem, whereas people with psychotic
problems are OUT of touch with reality and usually will not recognize or admit they
have a problem. What they should have told you at the hospital is that you're
physically fine and that you suffered from a panic attack. And then, they should have
referred you to an anxiety disorder specialist.
"I’ve spent
the last two years visiting every doctor’s office in town. I’ve been to medical
doctors, psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, and even a heart specialist. No one
seems to help. In fact, I don’t even think they know what I’m talking about. I
feel so defeated. There just doesn’t seem to be any help anywhere for people like
me."
Advice: Again,
seek out a therapist who understands both the anxiety disorders and
cognitive-behavioral therapy. A therapist who specializes only in this area (that is,
principally sees people with anxiety disorders and nothing else) is more likely to
understand the intricacies involved in helping people overcome panic and/or agoraphobia.
Feel free to ask questions that require more than a "yes" or "no"
answer. For example: What percentage of the therapist's client base are people with
panic/agoraphobia/anxiety disorders? Have you ever had or witnessed a panic attack and
what did you do? How easy is it to get over the vicious cycle of panic and fear?
The anxiety disorders --
panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia (social anxiety disorder), generalized anxiety
disorder, and obsessional thinking -- are some of the most successfully treatable
emotional problems today. As the American Psychological Association’s brochure
explains, no one has to live with the debilitating effects of anxiety and panic for the
rest of their life!