Your comment about getting the chemicals in your mind to rearrange your thought patterns was my old school of thought the pattern I am here to work on. It is our thought patterns that adjust the chemicals in our minds.
I can remember back before my menopause when I would get PMS. Something that at other times wouldn't bother me in the least, at that time would infuriate me. The thing is, as I would tell people then, I'd swear I could actually FEEL the change in my brain. The way my head felt, the way my though patterns were forming, I could feel the difference. An analogy would be like, say the brain waves in my head normally traveled clockwise, I could feel them suddenly start turning counterclockwise. That's the only way I can describe it. And that's kind of what I feel now. I can feel its not right. I can remember what it felt like when it was, and I want to get back to that point. I have times (even before starting the program) when I would feel perfectly fine. Happy, positive, energetic. Then, something would switch. I don't know why. Maybe I'm more manic depressive rather than just regular depression along with my anxiety. Or bi-polar? I don't know. But its very frustrating.
I am a solid solid solid believer that anxiety is caused primarily by self induced fear and a string of the bad, bad habit of negetive thinking, low self esteem, guilt, shame and just utter self torture of the soul.
I have all the above. Some was learned from my mother, some was learned from experiences I've had in life (over and over again), and some, well, I don't know.
GOD put us here to be happy and to love one another. If we are not doing those things it is because we are judging ourselves, others, having a ton of negetive self talk all day every day of our lives.
I do judge myself. And I do judge others, which is why I know they're probably judging me. I know I shouldn't do this, but its hard to control. Like when I go in to grocery store, and I see these size 30 plus women dressed like they're a size 3. I have nothing against big people, my husband is one. I just think they should dress appropriately for their size. Not have everything, and I mean everything hanging out all over the place. They probably think they look good, but judging by the looks I see others giving them as they pass, I'm not the only one who thinks they look bad. My mother's words sometimes echo in my head "Don't these people ever look in a mirror?". I don't mind sexy dressing, but at least they should get the outfit that fits their physique. This is just one aspect of how I judge people, so I know they must do the same to me and it makes me very self conscious. At the same time, I usually believe in 'live and let live' as long as nobody is getting hurt. I know, its a contradiction. And that is undoubtedly a source of anxiety. I don't have any specific religion. Don't want one. But I do believe people should get along. I know, unrealistic expectation.
I had become this very negetive person, talked bad about folks, thought i was better than just about everybody and really was a ****y little $%^&, because I did'nt have to answer to anybody...(HA!)
I've never thought I was better than everybody. In fact, just the opposite. I usually believed I wasn't as good as everyone else. But then, that's the way they made me believe, especially in school. The other kids and most of the teachers. The only thing I could ever admit to being good at was my artistic talent. It was the only thing I had confidence in. I knew there were people out there much better than me, but I also knew I was very good. And I felt I had to answer to everyone about everything I did. But at the same time, was (am?) still very angry at that feeling. I still feel I have to justify most everything I do to people. They seem to require it.
I don't think hypnosis alone will cure severe anxiety/phobias/fear/depression, but I think it is a great aid in the process.
This is my way of thinking too. I'm thinking it would just 'take the edge' off the feelings, so I could then get a better control. Maybe make things like turning a negative thought into a positive one feel more natural and not such an effort.
I also tried hypnotherapy (via CD) but never felt comfortable with subliminal thoughts. I suppose this is different if you have a VERY trustworthy psychologist.
I have no problem with subliminal messages. I know its my subconscious that's fighting me, so that's what needs to be reached. We're subjected to subliminal advertising everyday. Its part of what creates our fears. So why not use it to our benefit instead?
I just know I've seen what hypnotists can do when just entertaining people. (Criss Angel comes to mind). I know my best friend who is a heavy smoker actually was able to quite for over a month with just one session of hypnotherapy. (She started up again when 9/11 happened). So I know it can work to some degree. I'll have to try and find some of the CDs mentioned and see if they help. It will be a long time before I can afford an actual hypnotherapist, if ever as I assume they are expensive.
Thank you for all the input.
Research it and try it out, it doesn't work for everyone but to me anything is worth a shot. Also being able to bring up past experiences and events that still bring me anxiety, look at them from an outside view, and learn from them has really helped. That is what we did our first session. It is insteresting to see those events from a different angle. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!