Stress Center Peer Support

and they just were not able to pinpoint your true issues?

Your topic threw me off, but I'll provide some input here.

1) In 3rd grade I went to see a professional. I have reports in my filing cabinet about how I hated my mother, etc. It was determined that I had anxiety. (Duh)

2) In 8th grade went to see one after major depression/anxiety with my step-mom and dad and they apparently said something to my step-mom and she flipped out, we never went back!

3) Wife has been telling me I should go speak with someone. Not necessarily because she does not care, but she is out of "standard" answers as she calls them.

Not sure this helps your topic, but this is where I have been - I am 33 yrs old btw.

I know we need to help ourselves. It is not easy to find a great professional just like any profession. What I am saying is I have been told I am great by many of them..never resolving issues. Thanks for your response.

The only time I've gone to therapy is when my anxiety disorder triggered in Apr-2005. I happened to get a phenominal psychiatrist, who had 30+ yrs experience & 1 of the single largest practices in my state. I was initially diagnosed w/ anxiety disorder + panic attacks + PTSD. (I'm 39 yrs old btw). W/ his help & guidance I was able to face myself(loads of trauma)& loads of surpressed emotions. He simply guided me. I went on to initiate jrnling so I could get myself to admit what I am thinking & feeling - then, I researched & read 16 books. Because of the severe state of my anxiety back then(it forced me to not be able to work), I agreed to take clonazapan 3x's per day & 2 sleep aids(severe slep dep @ 1-2 hrs per every 24 hrs). He helped me help myself. Sure he guided me, but I DID ALL THE WORK. In Nov-2006, I was ready to face & change myself. I started Lucinda's program & completed it in March - 2007.

I am recovered fr anxiety disorder. I am not on any meds for @ least 1 1/2 yrs now. THERAPY was very instrumental in my recovery. There were things I needed to address b/4 being ready for her program & outside the scope of this program. There are BAD of just about all things on earth - dr's/therapists included. I didn't judge the majority based on the minority. THERAPY is very necessary w/ a variety of major mental illnesses & issues/experiences people may have suffered - I was one of them. So, lol I will preach therapy till forever, lol - I simply believe in it.

LENORE

I went to a psychologist briefly when I was in high school. He taught me a lot about panic attacks b/c at that time (late 80's early 90's) you didn't hear about them. It was a huge help to know that I wasn't the only one in the world with them.

Now I am back with a different psychologist and we are just getting started. We'll see how that goes.

Between the ages of 12 - 20, I've seen 11. Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists, Psychologists, you name it...and I lied to them all.

Monday, I'm going to see a psychotherapist because after a lengthy discussion my GP had with him, she said he would actually give me feedback (as opposed to those who just sit on their ass, scribbling away on their notepad).

This time, I'm going to tell the truth though.

Over the past 40 years of dealing with this I have seen two family doctors, two psychologists, one psychiatrist, a social worker and many trips to the ER with docs there. During that time only one of the psychologists really helped me. He was into cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation and all that. I said to myself at the time, "Wow, this is different." but he helped me more than all the others put together. I still see him occasionally if I have a rough time. I have been dealing with a stressful past few years and saw him a few times and he is wonderful. So, I practice what he teaches me and use this program (I am on it for the second time around). It all helps. Now I hear he's thinking about retiring... oh my... I hope I find someone as good as he is. But, really, before him.. nobody understood me, what I was feeling or this affliction we all deal with. I think it's becoming more well known now, but I think that it is still not talked about as often as it should be. Is this still a "hush hush" thing? I wonder.....

Since 1975 I have been to 5 therapists, 2 psychiatrists for meds, the StressCenter.com program and coaching and have received minimal help but that's not to suggest that I deem any of these as incompetent just not always on the right track. Having done some research on what I perceive to be my main issue, self-sabotage, it appears that Energy Psychology combined with CBT will likely provide help for those of us who do not respond to traditional therapies. There is some very interesting work being done in that area and it is relatively new. Might be worth a google on the topic. Unfortunately, I seem to be so ensconced in Reversal patterns that I'm not even having any success with the Energy modalities but intend to keep plugging away at it. The only comfort for me right now is to understand that there is a reason for the resistance to change and to know that there is a possible resolution if I can get myself to take the steps. In the StressCenter.com program, one of the very important lessons involves Secondary Benefits or Gains to holding onto our issues and when I went thru the course I really wasn't able to appreciate how important that section is nor was I able to see those aspects related to myself.

When I was 14 I saw a psychologist after being hospitalized, and she was horrible. I don't know how she got her certification to practice mental health. I probably should have reported her for the things she said, but I was only 14 at the time so I had no idea.

A few years later I went to see another psychologist for other reasons, and she was pretty bad too. She would make issues out of things that weren't even issues, and saying those were the reasons I feel the way I do. She obviously wasn't helpful, so I stopped seeing her as well.

The councelor I have now is really nice. She seems like she knows what she is doing, and she actually listens before making any assumptions. I really enjoy going to my sessions with her.

I guess you just have to try a couple before you find the right one.

I've seen so many including pastors along with psychologists,psychiatrists, counselors, friends etc. The last Psychologist I had over 2 yrs.ago now was the best. Before he moved to TX I got this program. I was sad to see him leave and gave him a big hug. He told me I'd be OK because I've got the program now to re-enforce the things he said. He was right. I've got the tools of the program plus all you wonderful people. Does it mean I don't ever fall? Of course not, but thank the dear Lord when I do, someone is there to pick me up. I am so grateful.