reachingskywards Posted April 4, 2004 Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hi Average guy I used to suffer greatly from huge amoutns of anxiety where it was almost crippling (virutally not being able to leave the house at times or talk to people). I have also had in the past some very specific anxiety problems such as 'catastrophic thinking' problems etc I think for a while I did suffer from PTSD but was never properly diagnosed. Like you -- I have never wanted to be on medication. The one time I was medication ( a simple antidepressant) I ended up becoming psychotic for qute a long time and this led to other problems I won't go into. Here are some things that have helped me greatly.... + counselling (which it sounds like you're getting) + yoga and meditation, both have a wide range of benefits including being great for depression. + I also do things such as affirming over and over to msyelf ' I am calm and relaxed. I am calm and relaxed'. This si especially great if I start to feel a bit anxious Visualising myself dealing with life without anxiety. + I also used to try to identify what I am thinking about as I slipped into an anxiety state. Often I find that my thought patterns were triggering the situation. Somtimes with awareness of what was going on for me it was easy to be able to refocus on things that were better for my mental health... sometimes it's not easy but for me awareness of my thought patterns was a major help. I want you to know -- fo rwhat it's worth -- that things do get better. For me, I now live life without any anxiety to speak of. Life is great... I'm sure it will be for you too. I sending you some white light to protect you whenever you need it. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted April 4, 2004 Share Posted April 4, 2004 Have you looked into EMDR? Here's a link. http://www.emdr.com/ Some people think it's bogus, but a lot of psychologists incorporate it into their practice and a psychologist I know who is an expert in PTSD uses it and says it can be very effective. It sounds hokey and bizarre, but we have no idea how the brain works and some of the theories about why EMDR might work are intriguing. We don't know how Aspirin works, either, after all!! There are some good books on EMDR, too, if you want to inform yourself further. Link to post Share on other sites
Author average guy Posted April 5, 2004 Author Share Posted April 5, 2004 Thank you reachingskywards and moimeme, I am trying Yoga now that I have time (I actually have a few books abd videos on it) but I find it hard without someone's personal supervision (there are no claasses out in the country where I live). I did Pilates for a hile cause of a bad back and found it absouliet essential to have a teacher there in person. I am also trying this deep-breathing that bowwie recommended and it does seem to be working but I do wish I had seomone to help guide me through it. And I have heard of EMDR moimeme, although I was told it was more helpful for people with one actute trauma (such as a plane crash, rape, or other single tragic event). Basically my hypnotherapist does something similar. I have a fear of agresive car sounds (engines revving, etc.) because they trigger memories of my father coming home and beating us (whic I only discover from hypnotherapy) but what she does is shcdule my appointments for rush hour when there is heavy traffic by her office and then puts my under and literraly watched my body curl up in a defensive position with my fists clenched. She then walks me through affirmations telling me I'm safe, the traffic doesn't know I'm here, no-one is going to ceom get me, etc. and that I am safe, loved etc. So it sounds like it kind of combines EMDR and the self affirmations that reachingskywards is talking about. I have found it very helpful. Anyway, thanks again for all your help & advice Cheers, A.G. Link to post Share on other sites
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