On-line support. Is it legitimate?

[NuggetSA]

Hi all. My wife suffers from anxiety and depression to a debilitating extent and is desperate for help. Right now she seems to be at a bit of a low ebb. She found a web site 'healing-anxiety.com' and asked me what I thought. On the face of it it ticks all the boxes and certainly speaks to her. My concern is it's just a scam to get money out of vulnerable individuals, but it could also be a life saver? I can find no reviews at all and wondered if any of you guys had come across it in your quest to defeat this thing. Thank you.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

I dont know that site, in fact I only know one other site like ours.

Our forum offers 24/7 free support from peer group champions like myself. Our team here has a large cross section of experience.

There is also a large library here you can utilise by using the search feature above.

As an example, use google to seek the following threads.

Beyondblue Topic anxiety, how I eliminated it

Beyondblue Topic depression, a ship on the high seas

Beyondblue Topic depression the timing of motivation

Beyondblue Topic medication is a whirlpool

You only need to read the first post.

I hope I've helped. The support here is amazing if she would like to give it a try.

Reply anytime.

TonyWK

[NuggetSA]

Thanks Tony. She is on this site and I will pass on your suggestions.

[MsPurple]

HI NuggetSA and welcome

I think online support can be a really valuble tool. It can also encourage someone to later be open to see someone in person (this was the case for me)

Like TonyWK pointed out we have the peer support forums here. We are on 24/7 however we do not have instant reply. If this is required I suggest trying the chat line beyond blue had (bottom left of the page). You can also email with support.

With other websites you do need to be careful. Like you said, some maybe trying to take advantage of vulnerable people. Now looking at the website you shared it does raise alarm bells for me. First of all my chrome said 'not secure' on the website, which was the first warning sign. The second warning sign was that there is no university or certification information on their website. Yes they do have qualifications, however it is not Australian so we can't confirm it would meet our standards. With credible websites I have used they are government websites, or have information on NDIS etc. If this was a website with free support it would be fine, however without these things and asking for money, it does raise alarm bells,

Some websites to have a look at are:

- CCI. Printable resources on things like anxiety, depression, sleep, worry, bipolar, etc. Includes things like thinking styles, thought diaries, behavioural sheets etc.
www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself

- National body where you enter your post code with support online and in person www.mindaustralia.org.au

- Body image or eating disorder concerns. Also an online chat https://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/

Hope this has been helpful

[NuggetSA]

Thank you MsPurple. You have raised issues there that I hadn't thought of casting doubt on the veracity of the subject web site. Your other suggestions will be explored I'm sure. Thank you again.

[geoff]

Hello Nugget, welcome to the forums.

I don't want to add any more sites that MsPurple and Tony have provided for you, I just want to let you know that we are all behind you, and please you need to look after yourself, so we're here for any support you may need.

There maybe many questions you might want to ask us, so please do so at any time you want, there will always be someone to help you, so can I ask how you are coping?

Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hi NuggetSA,

Welcome to the community here. Your wife's Dr may be able to suggest some sites your wife could use.

I also find it helpful to visit the library and see what books they have on offer. Some books are sort of interactive in the way they ask questions you need to consider and provide strategies for coping with anxiety for example.

Libraries can order books in as well from other libraries.

If you don't mind me asking, has your wife been to see her Dr to discuss how she is feeling?

Cheers to you from Dools

[Keypi]

Hi NuggetSA,

Everyone has already posted so many useful comments. I just wanted to say that its really great how your supporting your wife the way you are, helping her find support when she might not have the energy to do so.

Not too long ago I was in your shoes helping my wife who also had very bad anxiety and the depression set in soon after. I was her only support person and although you want to help them with everything and anything. It does take a toll on yourself, I was not taking care of my self as I put all my energy into caring for her, I didn't really notice at the time but now that she is doing much better, I am realising that I have fallen into a bit of a hole myself.

Please look after yourself as well, make sure you have support for you as a carer, and it's good if your able to find your wife some support too. This forum has been really great and it can provide support to both of you if you needed.

- Keypi 🙂

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi NuggetSA,

It seems like you've already received a whirlwind of helpful responses so I will try not to echo what anyone else has said -

Just looking on the website; I'd be cautious of the information because -

- When you go to the 'about me' David Johnson said he's been to the 'university of suffering'; so there's no qualifications there; just his own experience.

- The site is .com which means it's a commercial one (i.e. business). Sites like .gov or .edu are often safer.

- It promises 'freedom from fear'. This is actually not realistic. We can manage anxiety as best as we can, but it's not possible to provide or expect 'freedom'. Not only that, but it promises 'freedom' for everyone (even those who can't leave the house) - in reality when you go to therapy we tailor it to what's actually going on as the therapies/skills will be quite different depending on the anxiety.

- It doesn't show you how you'll get freedom, just that you'll get it if you buy it. Credible courses are more likely to provide information on what to expect.

- When you go to order it, there is no https:// which indicates it is secure site.

Hopefully this can give you a bit more info or insight. If you're looking for a course specifically, you could try https://mindspot.org.au/ It's free, talks about anxiety and is funded by Australian Government and partners with BeyondBlue.

[romantic_thi3f]

P.S. Apologies that I'm echoing MsPurple