Posted by Lao Tzu on January 14, 2011, at 15:06:05
In reply to Online Support Group for Anxiety?, posted by Melanie-00 on January 12, 2011, at 23:36:08
I tried doing the online support for anxiety years ago, and occasionally, I browse through social anxiety forums just to see what people are talking about. It helps when you realize that so many others out there are having the same difficulties. What I search for are any therapies people are trying that are helpful. Sometimes, you get some really good ideas from other people. It could be a good start getting to know other people and supporting each other. I have always thought this a good idea, but I have always thought one-on-one counseling with a good therapist is more beneficial. I did that for 3-4 years a long time ago. It's always better one-on-one in my opinion, but it couldn't hurt to join an online support. For some people, it keeps them occupied and it may be beneficial to a certain degree. I don't think it is the best therapy, however. Anxiety disorders are complex and there are many different therapies and medications out there. I guess you have to explore all possibilities to determine what helps you. Getting a good therapist, in my opinion, would be a good starting point if you can afford it. On Anxiety support groups, everybody is looking for the same thing: relief from their symptoms and kind words to help them get through the day. Do I think it helps? It depends on the person. If your anxiety is biochemical, nutrients, herbs, or medication could help with that. I have social anxiety disorder, but I used to have the anticipatory anxiety real bad a few years ago. Now, I am on 4mg of Risperdal and 200mg of Zoloft plus a bunch of vitamins and minerals and amino acids, and my anxiety is not nearly as bothersome as it was years ago. I can cope with it better. Perhaps, if you treat the biochemical cause plus use the online support, this might help you. Like I said, it depends on the person and your diagnosis. Seeing a psychiatrist or a therapist regularly would be beneficial to some degree and medications/nutrients are a back-up if the therapy isn't sufficient. I really do understand what you are going through. I had really bad anxiety for many, many years before I was diagnosed and treated. The first thing to understand is that you have a problem and that you are making efforts to treat it. The best results I have gotten so far are with medication plus vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and a couple of amino acids. My anxiety is primarily biochemical. I've been through the worst anxiety imaginable, but today, I do feel much better and can cope better. Like I said, if you talk with somebody regularly this will be helpful, but getting your brain working properly is essential. Hang in there, look at all your options, then go from there, you will find a way to deal with it. I did and I probably had anxiety as bad as you have it. Hang in there. You will find out what helps you and you will get better and be able to cope better:)
Lao
poster:Lao Tzu
thread:976661
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20101202/msgs/976793.html