Self help group or psychologist

[Chris o]

Hi everyone,

For the last month I have been suffering from panic attacks (maybe anxiety). It is all very new to me and troubling. I have tried breathing techniques ‘smiling minds’ and Dr prescription medication, which is helping.

Next step was a psychologist but none are available right now. So I tried a self help group in my area. It was a very rewarding time and would recommend it.

My question, is a self help group a good substitute for a psychologist?

[Gambit87]

Hi chris,

I'm glad you found a self help group helpful!

I've never been to a self help group (although I often checkout online groups if that counts) - I have been considering it. I do see a psychologist about once a month. I personally believe that self help groups complement what a psychologist can do for you but they shouldn't replace a psychologist.

Self help groups have their place and they can help you get to a place where you feel like your in control, getting a grip on your mental health etc and its so great to talk to people who are experiencing similar things you are. I feel that a psychologist can help on more of a deeper/root cause level if that makes sense.

I feel seeing a psychologist will enhance your positive experiences with the self help groups.

[Chris o]

Thanks Gambit, I will definitely see a psychologist.

[Croix]

Dear Chris o~

I'm glad you are making htat decision. I totally agree that a self help group can give support and understanding, together wiht example. This great.

However they do have limitation, the first and most obvious being they may well not have the training to see the various possibilities in terms of what may be wrong, also if a medication of a different sort might be worth discussing with you referring GP.

Hopefully you will find a psychologist soon, even if only via tele-health (which is actually quite good) and continue wiht hte group in the meantime.

I'd agree with Gambit87 that both may complement each other - though please do let you medical team know what you are doing.

Please let us know how you get on

Croix

[Chris o]

Thanks Croix,

So far the Doctor medication is working. My doctor has been great.

The weekly self help group is working out great too. I do not have any close friends so it has been nice to meet new people and discuss difficult topics. It is not a replacement to professional care but is helping in my recovery.

called a psychologist, made a appointment but canceled. There is a fear/anxiety of being one on one and discussing me.

[Croix]

Dear Chris 0~

It sounds like you have a pretty reasonable setup. Still I'd suspect a psychologist would also be a help, one does try to maximize opportunities if one can.

Yes I totally agree with you that talking face to face is hard, and seems worse before you actually go. There are a couple of things, the first is that any psychologist worth their salt will be very practiced at putting people at ease, as most feel as you do.

The second is to remember you are in charge, you are the expert on your own condition and on who treats you, you can stop at any stage.

Actually with a little planning it is not so bad. You can wrote down well in advance your problems and then will merely have to answer questions abut what you wrote. There will always be tme in a further session to go into things you may by oversight or deliberately missed out. (I deliberately missed out my suicide thoughts and attempts for a very long time)

If you get upset, as I have, then tell the therapist, maybe there are some things you need time in order to express -you are in control. I still have some I have not talked about but expect in time I will.

Croix

[mocha delight]

Hi Chris o it can’t be worser then my first psychologist appointment as only a couple of weeks beforehand when I went to my gp about my issues I was having my grandmother passed away before the appointment by a few days and I kind of broke down over that then ever since then I’ve been completely numb about it & still am even now.

[Guest_4643]

Hey Chris O.

I wish I could go to a self help group, I don't even know what they involve, I have none near me. I did go to Headspace but had a very traumatic experience. Personally I'd like to go to a self help group myself.

Did you enjoy it? I'm sorry I don't have much of an answer for you, but I still care and I'm still here for you.

Hopefully you can see a good Psychologist if that's what you're looking for also.

[Chris o]

Thanks for the reply’s.

croix, I am still avoiding going to a psychologist. It is becoming a issue.

mb20lover, the self help group near me is the best. Some unexpected outcomes is letting my guard down around others, usually my anxiety would take over but while in the group I am safe.

The self help group plus meditation plus exercise has got me back to my normal. Anxiety attack I had over a month ago was a eye opener, I never ever want to fall back into that cycle.

Anyone that is going through anxiety currently I wish you well.

love, chris

[Croix]

Dear Chris~

I'm very glad the combination of GP, exercises and the support group is working and too hope you never have to face the way you were again.

I particularly liked the fact you felt secure enough to open up with the group, finding others, real people, with similar problems can be a real boon.

Then to you still have a psychologist as a backstop if things go down again, so that is pretty good.

Thank for letting us know how things went

You are always welcome here

Croix