Holly,
Can you afford professional help? There are many community resources for low-income people who provide therapy on sliding scales or free. I would look into this first.
Then I would purchase Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes and The Anxiety and Phobia Handbook by Edmund Bourne. These are the only books you'll need and worth the money (they aren't that expensive and you can find them used at half.com).
My personal feelings based on your post are that your symptoms sound very severe (this is just my impression, I could be wrong). I would seek out professional help first and see how it goes. Again I do not believe this program is a substitute for working with a professional and if you are in a place where your anxiety is very very severe you might not be able to get the most out of the program until you are in a bit of a better place.
This is just my opinion- again I don't have all the details of your situation, but this is what I would recommend.
SHOULD I BUY THE PROGRAM?
thankyou Lenore for your post. i saw a therapist once and i dont know if i should just see the therapist and not get the program or just do the program or do both? but 35 an hour to see the therapist an hour once a week and the prgram seem so epensive. . though there is no price on your well being, right? thanks everybody for your replys. they mean ALOT!
"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)"
You've been given good advice on this thread by everyone. A therapist may be the best way to go at this point. $35 is a lot less than what I was paying in 2000 which was $101 a 45 min session. If you can afford that, I would give that a go. However, what I would recommend is educating yourself on anxiety/panic, its causes and what has been shown to be effective in recovering from it. If you will do research on the net in regards to CBT, you'll find studies which provide evidence that it is effective in treating panic/anxiety/depression.
I was clueless as to what could help me when I began seeing the psychologist, had no education as to what therapies were beneficial to recovery. I waa passive, dependent and totally relying on my doctors or other professionals for my recovery. I didn't do much work I was told to do from the psychologist because I was simply lost and didn't understand, not because I didn't want to get better. I WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT, JUST HANGING ON, BARELY.
The only way we can recover is to do something, try, take risks and seek help. The first aveneue we try may be a dead end, but we have to keep trying in order to find what works for each of us. I have seen people on the forum who needed to be "calmed down" by meds before the program would be effective for them.
The therapist may be the best way to go for you. However, any type of help will require you being an active participant in your recovery. I would advise purchasing books or workbooks on recovering from anxiety/panic, some good ones have been recommended here by those who understand. Once I had done this and began working with the StressCenter.com program and began to experience recovery I then understood what my psychologist was trying to do. I was no longer clueless and lost about how to recover. I understood the path to recovery. This would have helped me greatly in working with a psychologist. I simply didn't have the funds to pursue that avenue. On a sliding scale I still paid $65 for a session in the 1990's for help.
I think Kelly and Steve have given you good advice. I would give the therapist route a go if you can afford it, but I would also purchase the books she/he recommends and another one to consider is "When Panic Attacks" by Dr. David Burns. But I have heard a lot of good things about Claire Weeks.
The StressCenter.com program worked great for me, yes. But, I had severe clinical depression with moderate anxiety. I didn't have panic attacks or problems listening to the tapes/CDs. I could sit still and do the work. Some who are anxious/panicky are not able to do this without meds. But, we are the ones who do the work, not the professional we may be working with. If we remain passive and choose to not try and do the work, no professional or any other resource will be helpful to us.
I was clueless as to what could help me when I began seeing the psychologist, had no education as to what therapies were beneficial to recovery. I waa passive, dependent and totally relying on my doctors or other professionals for my recovery. I didn't do much work I was told to do from the psychologist because I was simply lost and didn't understand, not because I didn't want to get better. I WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT, JUST HANGING ON, BARELY.
The only way we can recover is to do something, try, take risks and seek help. The first aveneue we try may be a dead end, but we have to keep trying in order to find what works for each of us. I have seen people on the forum who needed to be "calmed down" by meds before the program would be effective for them.
The therapist may be the best way to go for you. However, any type of help will require you being an active participant in your recovery. I would advise purchasing books or workbooks on recovering from anxiety/panic, some good ones have been recommended here by those who understand. Once I had done this and began working with the StressCenter.com program and began to experience recovery I then understood what my psychologist was trying to do. I was no longer clueless and lost about how to recover. I understood the path to recovery. This would have helped me greatly in working with a psychologist. I simply didn't have the funds to pursue that avenue. On a sliding scale I still paid $65 for a session in the 1990's for help.
I think Kelly and Steve have given you good advice. I would give the therapist route a go if you can afford it, but I would also purchase the books she/he recommends and another one to consider is "When Panic Attacks" by Dr. David Burns. But I have heard a lot of good things about Claire Weeks.
The StressCenter.com program worked great for me, yes. But, I had severe clinical depression with moderate anxiety. I didn't have panic attacks or problems listening to the tapes/CDs. I could sit still and do the work. Some who are anxious/panicky are not able to do this without meds. But, we are the ones who do the work, not the professional we may be working with. If we remain passive and choose to not try and do the work, no professional or any other resource will be helpful to us.
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger, the smarter, the faster hand; But sooner or later the person who wins is the one who thinks "I can." Author Unknown
http://dp19032k9.webs.com
http://dp19032k9.webs.com
thank you all so much folks. i bought the free trial program today. i will also see my therapist twice a month. i hope my therapist helps me some and i really hope the prgram helps too. i also bought some natural products at this health food store and the very knowledgeable woman helped me alot because i want to do this without meds. now should i also purchase a panic/anxiety book like the anxiety phobia workbook as well with my program? amd does anybody know the lowest they will charge me a month for this program?
"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)"
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Barbara U. Cherish
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:16 pm
Hi Holly,
You were in my thoughts when I first woke up this morning hoping you would find your direction to do what you feel is right. Lots of good advise here but in the end it is your decision and if you want to feel better you will find a way.
I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and wish you the best!
Hugs
Barbara U. Cherish
You were in my thoughts when I first woke up this morning hoping you would find your direction to do what you feel is right. Lots of good advise here but in the end it is your decision and if you want to feel better you will find a way.
I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and wish you the best!
Hugs
Barbara U. Cherish
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~HealthyMe~
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:42 pm
Hi Holly, the program is what you make it. Just like life. Put in 100% and you will get it back. Have faith in yourself and know that this investment, financially and time wise is worth it because you are worth it. I didn't have the money when I bought the program but I was at a place where I didn't think I could hold a job or move forward....Now I have an excellent job. Life is full of loops and problems, its how we wipe off the dust and deal with it and realizing that we have no control over others...
Take care...
:p
Take care...
:p
just me
Good comment Rachel - I think you summed it up just right. I realize it's a lot of money to front but it has paid more than it's weight in gold for me. I just completed the program and know that if I ever need a pick me up I can pop a CD in and listen to it - also check e-bay, etc. I feel like I have seen people selling thiers used & some are brand new. You might also check if your employer has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) - check with HR. Sometimes they can help you and may even be able to pick up some of the cost or tell you how to cover it if you're insurance covers things like that. Check into all your options before you plunk down all the cash. Either way you will end up spending more money in the long run with doctors visits, medication, lost work, etc. The program is a one time expense and it's worth it! Good luck to you!
PS - there are also some great books out there that help. You might try reading Lucinda's book From Panic to Power to give you a taste of what the program is like and where she's coming from. I have also recently ready Overcoming Anxiety for Dummies and it's also got some really good exercises in it to help you.
PS - there are also some great books out there that help. You might try reading Lucinda's book From Panic to Power to give you a taste of what the program is like and where she's coming from. I have also recently ready Overcoming Anxiety for Dummies and it's also got some really good exercises in it to help you.
Hi Holly,
I started the program back in feb. and am still working on lesson 8. I stopped for awhile because of company etc. I will go through it again after I completed it. So far it has helped me tremendously. I suffer from both anxiety and depression. I have low self esteem and am shy in social situations which can be very difficult. I am learning so much about myself through this program and just knowing that I am not alone. I would love to know what kind of natural supplements the health food store suggested. I also want to do this the natural way. I have never been on meds but I wonder often if something would help me with my anxiety and depression. Good Luck to you and I know you will benefit from this it is amazing. Take care.
I started the program back in feb. and am still working on lesson 8. I stopped for awhile because of company etc. I will go through it again after I completed it. So far it has helped me tremendously. I suffer from both anxiety and depression. I have low self esteem and am shy in social situations which can be very difficult. I am learning so much about myself through this program and just knowing that I am not alone. I would love to know what kind of natural supplements the health food store suggested. I also want to do this the natural way. I have never been on meds but I wonder often if something would help me with my anxiety and depression. Good Luck to you and I know you will benefit from this it is amazing. Take care.
Can't remember for sure but I think my lowest payment was $60. Would have to check tho. Get Lucinda's book "From Panic to Power" it's probably on e-bay for cheaper. Also thru StressCenter.com you can get a spiritual workbook (same program principles) only spiritual with Bible verses. I think it's around $20. Not sure they'd let you get it without purchasing the program but maybe you could get it since you've ordered the program. If you decide to return the program, you'd still have the spiritual workbook.
God's best to you.
God's best to you.
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BrendaDreams
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 11:48 pm
I would look on ebay for a copy of the program. I had meant to sell mine there when I first bought it and didn't write in the workbook. At that time, I didn't finish the program so didn't sell it. I just restarted after 4 yrs. Even though I mostly suffer from anxiety, I think there is great value in the program.
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"- Eleanor Roosevelt