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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Siraris on December 18, 2003, at 22:02:27
I made a post in the medication forum that will shed some light on who I am and what I have been going through, but I wanted to get some feedback from people on how they have been treated for the above disorders.
I have had anxiety and panic disorder since I was 15, and I have been medicated since the day I had a major major panic attack. I never really thought I'd ever be off meds, as my psychiatrist said it could be a reality. Now more and more people are saying to me that they are on regimines of taking meds until the underlying panic/anxiety is gone, and then they go off. Is this what most people experience? If you read my other thread, you will see all the problems I am experiencing. I really want to get over all these problems and put them behind me. I live a pretty normal life as is, but there are still things I'd really like to get over. It makes it VERY hard being in college though, to deal with these issues.
I haven't been to my psychiatrist in a few months as I thought that I could handle things on my own, and I have been. I am going to go back after the all the issues I have been having lately and hopefully figure something out. The problem is, I have tried seeing many different people and it hasn't helped. I went to see a woman at The Anxiety Agoraphobia treatment center here in IL and I really didn't even get that much from it. My mother always asks me what techniques they teach me to cope with my panic and anxiety and I say "Nothing really" because they really don't... the only thing I really learned was to breathe through my diaphram.
Posted by Dinah on December 19, 2003, at 0:12:16
In reply to Question about Anxiety/Panic treatment, posted by Siraris on December 18, 2003, at 22:02:27
Anxiety and panic often seem to be treated with a combination of medications and cognitive behavior therapy (including breathing and relaxation exercises). A lot of people find that the cognitive behavior therapy eventually helps them to the point where they no longer need medications. I don't suppose that's true of everyone.
Did they do any other cognitive behavior techniques with you? Have you read "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook"?
Posted by Siraris on December 19, 2003, at 0:28:01
In reply to Re: Question about Anxiety/Panic treatment » Siraris, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2003, at 0:12:16
We did a lot of interoseptive therapy... like I am very very concerned about my heart, and don't like running or getting my heart rate up. We would do running up stairs, and outside... she had me do breathing from my diaphram, and I also would hyperventilate myself to see that I was fine. It was quite helpful, but it's worn off. She didn't show me any "long term" practices.
Posted by judy1 on December 19, 2003, at 9:45:43
In reply to Re: Question about Anxiety/Panic treatment, posted by Siraris on December 19, 2003, at 0:28:01
doesn't your college have mental health services available? yes, CBT really helps with anxiety disorders, and lots of people are able to get off meds once they have their coping skills. but you can't do it alone or through a book, you really need someone experienced in CBT to teach you (and follow-up sesssions to reinforce what you learned). best of luck- judy
p.s. there is nothing wrong with staying on drugs if the CBT doesn't completely work- I use a combination and don't feel like a failure.
This is the end of the thread.
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