GAD and panic disorder - recovery with a psychologist

[Madison_ellen]

Hi all,
i’m hoping to here your experiences/ insights.

some months ago I had what I think was my first panic attack our of absolutely nowhere. Since then I have not recovered. My anxiety is constant and even when “happy” or neutral physical symptoms are very present.
they are constantly rotating or new, which leads to panic attacks and may have lead to health anxiety.This makes starting meds difficult as the side affects are overwhelming.

I have been seeing a psych for a while now, and we click very well, however this has been of no help at all so far.

he explains the basic anxiety facts and I do the excersises he provides, take care of my physical health etc. but because I have no obvious underlying cause of anxiety/panic, I don’t seem to be getting anywhere because he has nothing to work off.

does anyone have experience recovering from anxiety and panic disorder under similar circumstances, I’m beginning too feel I’ll never be myself again and That im waiting a whole lot of money on treatment that isn’t helping.

Any help or insight is appreciated

thanks!

[blondguy]

Hello Ellen

Welcome and thankyou for having the courage to post too!

I understand when you mentioned the first panic attack came out of nowhere...The same happened to me and it was scary years ago. I also was seeing a psychologist yet there was no progress

Recovery from an anxiety attack(s) can take some time...depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Just from my own experience...if our anxiety symptoms impact our ability to function on a daily basis then medication can be a solid platform on which we can heal, in conjunction with regular counselling

The forums are a safe and non judgmental place for you to post...Any questions are always welcome! I hope you can post back if and when you wish

my kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Madison.ellen, a warm welcome to the forum and thanks to Paul for replying as this thread isn't easy to reply to.

Can I ask if you know about the mental health plan, which enables 10 Medicare paid sessions per year, but I believe this number may have been increased, your doctor/psych will be able to let you know?

If medication has been offered, then you can ask for a low dose which will slowly settle into your system, where you might not recognise, unless you constantly think of them.[LINK href='"https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies/gad-and-panic-disorder---recovery-with-a-psychologist-?actionMode=replyPost&postId=cabf26ab-f371-61bc-846e-ff0000e9d3fc#" unselectable="on" tabindex="-1">

Recovery from an anxiety attack(s) can take some time, because it can certainly affect all aspects of your daily life, whether it's work, study, relationships or any other type of activity and restricts you in anything you may want to do.

It's a fear that may trigger severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause and these can be frightening when they occur but you are unable to know why, but being able to communicate with your psych is definitely a positive because, at some stage, one word or sentence that's uttered will give you the light, the understanding of why you see him.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Your fear is when another one may happen.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Madison.ellen,

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. I'm sorry you're not seeing much progress with your psychologist even though I'm glad you're reaching out at the same time.

Therapy is, complicated. I believe in it and how it can work, but sometimes it's a little bit of trial and error into what's going to connect with you. Learning about how anxiety works can help you understand rather than it being so scary (often people feel like they're having a heart attack) so I get why he's sharing that with you. Have you been talking about different sorts of strategies - like changing your thought patterns or finding ways to accept it?

One of the things I'd really like to suggest is to talk to him about how you feel and that you don't feel like you're benefitting from therapy. It's really really good feedback for him, because you're investing in therapy (hopefully with a MHCP) and so it needs to be worth your time. He might not even know things aren't working for you, so it allows him to think about why it's not and what to do differently.

rt