Talk therapy

[relieved]

Has anyone here had talk therapy or gone to a psyciatrist for GAD or depression. What is the cost of it, and do you think it helped you? How long did you go for and with what frequency did you see them? I just wanted to hear from someone who has been through the experience. I think that I've suffered from not necessarily social anxiety, or depression right away, but I remembered having migraines, and panic attacks when I was about 14,15 yrs old. And throughout the last ten years or so it slowly progressed to GAD, and slight depression. I never knew that I had any certain medical condition until about 2 years ago, when my father told me that he started taking lexapro for anxiety. I tried it, and didn't like the side effects, and here I am after all this time trying to get back on track using natural alternatives. What I'm using helps, but there seems to be this emotional void in my life during that whole time when I didn't know I had a problem. Anyways, I just wanted to know if anyone could relate to this situation. Thanks

[sleepybree03]

Talk therapy can be effective. You can go to a psychologist ( ph.D) or any counselor with a Master's ( will usually cost less). If you don't have insurance, one hour sessions can range from $50- $150 an hr depending on where you live. The counselor should be able to to teach you how to deal with anxiety and how to stop yourself from reaching to the point of panicking and how to relax. Usually just talking about the problem and getting a fresh perspective will make you feel better. However, it may take a couple months or so going about once a week.

[Reason]

Hi,

To answer your question about talk therapy: "YES!!!!!"

There are many, many different types of "talk therapy". Some are better than others. It also depends on what treatment will help you based on what it is you want out of treatment and what your problems are, and what your personailty and interests are like.

For me, therapy has been life changing. I used to have some quite debilitating symptoms that were associated with trauma such as flashbacks , severe depression and anxiety etc and these can now be greatly alleviated and even cured with certain methods.

I personally saw many talking therapists, around 6, and they helped me a little but they didnt give me the tools or insight into helping me change myself. The best treatment for me, and which I would advise to others, was a therapist who was using "Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy" and "Neuro-Linguistic Programming" techniques. Of course, I had to put a lot of effort in to reap the rewards, and will have to continue doing this to stay well, although a lot of permanent change has happened in the depressive side of my illness.

REBT is based on the idea that what we tell ourselves about something upsets us, not the thing itself. It is not positive thinking, but encouages realistic emotions to events in our lives. It is a technique you can use everyday to help you.

I was greatly indebted to this therapist, before which Id never heard of these approaches, and becuase I live in the UK was frankly amazed at being able to get this treatment, free, on the NHS. But no matter where you live, this therapy is world-wide. It is often a short course of therapy, maybe up to 20 sessions. Whenever I need a kick up the bum, I read "A Guide To Rational Living" which is an REBT self-help manual and this really gives me the encouragement and depth i need to help me.

Above all, my advice is seek out what you think will help you. Stick at the therapy and put into practise, act, act, act out what will help you get what you wany out of your life.:dance:

Best Wishes