Doctor first

[Unregistered]

just noticed that a few people are beign advised to see their doctor before going to see a hypnotherapist...

i have anxiety issues and my doctor just says that tablets are my only way out...and that the feelings of detachment and feeling as though i cannot cope with the way i am and the way i feel and think can only be helped if i allow myself to take tablets.

i am too scared to take tablets as they made me feel detached from by body in the first place. and taking tablets to help just makes me feel like a thing just made up of chemicals and that i am not a real person anymore, just a floating thing.

so i have booked to see an experienced hypnotherapist but without the concent of anyone. is this a really bad idea?

[Don]

Well, let me ask you this:

Let's assume that you have a great deal of pain in your stomach. You take aspirin after aspirin for the pain. Finally, you just have to see a doctor, but you don't tell the physician that you are taking 30 aspirins every day. The doctor give you a prescription for something to stop bleeding in the stomach, not knowing that the aspirin is making you bleed more.

In short, it's possible that the treatments may counter each other or may go too far in any direction.

Also, I have to admit that I'm surprised you went to a doctor for what you are experiencing. Most regular doctors are not trained in dealing with these issues. You might consider going to a psychiatrist, an MD who specializes in medical treatment of the mind.

Most MDs don't give a fig about hypnotherapy and will have a "Sure, if you want to waste your money, go ahead" attitude about them. Some will see it as a positive move on your part to take control of your health and view hypnotherapy as a complement to what MDs do. Getting the OK or even a referral from such people is easy. There are some MDs who will dislike working with a hypnotherapist, and frankly, if my MD was so closed-minded, I would look for another MD.

Hypnotherapists work with MDs, psychiatrists, dentists, obstetricians and similar professionals. Tell your MD what you'd like to do. Tell your MD that you're "too scared to take the tablets" and why. I assure you that your doctor will understand and prescribe either another drug or give you a referral. Also, tell your hypnotherapist that you're being treated by an MD for the situation and why you're not taking the prescription.

Ages ago, it was considered improper for male doctors to touch female patients. How many lives were lost because doctors couldn't even listen to a patient's heart is unknown. Be completely honest with your doctor and hypnotherapist and you will end up improving.

[Zanther]

Are the tablets the only treatment you're receiving? Psychotherapy should also be a primary treatment . . . Sometimes you have to demand things from your doctor.

[Unregistered]

yeah i see a psychotherapist and have seen psychiatrists and they all just want me to go back on tablets...

when i suggested hypnotherapy they said that that kind of thing is just going to make matters worse and that i should not do it.

but they do not mind filling me full of tablets until i am ill!!!

[Don]

Talk to the hypnotherapist you are going to visit. He or she may know some more hypnosis-positive physicians so you, the hypnotist, and the doctor can work together for your benefit.

[EC]

>> yeah i see a psychotherapist and have seen psychiatrists and they all just want me to go back on tablets...

when i suggested hypnotherapy they said that that kind of thing is just going to make matters worse and that i should not do it.

but they do not mind filling me full of tablets until i am ill!!! <<

Unfortunately you are caught in the trap that many, many find themselves in, Most do just go to their MD and get a script. I applaude your decision to find a better way.

As you have been the full circle of Psych, Psych, MD., could be that the only thing left is just for you to make the decision yourself of what you want to do to change the way you feel. An experienced hypnotherapist can help you do that. If you do call some, make sure they have several years experience, and have worked with considerable amount of depression and anxiety issues. I personally would avoid psychotherapy, it is largely the reason that many are on medication.

Wishing you the best,
EC

[Merlin]

Hello,

One reason for getting the MD referral is that in many places the MDs have legal control over helping people. A referral keeps the hypnotist out of jail.

It's so bad that in places like Florida, they are called hypnotists.
Hypno*therapy* has the word Therapy and so Hypno*therapy* cannot be used except by the licensed psychos.

[Jack]

Hello Guest,

Most members of the medical profession have little knowledge of hypnotherapy and those who do have probably only been on a 1 day course. It's not their fault, their time is limited after they have finished counting their fees. :D Psychotherapy can be helpful to some people, but it is still filled with the untrained and charlatans, so you have to choose carefully, as indeed you do with hypnotherapy.

But, very, very rarely does professionally administered hypnotherapy make things worse.

IMO medication can be useful with anxiety in the short term, but try to avoid benzodiazepines over the long term (valium, diazepam) - they are addictive.

There is a good page on anxiety at www.alphadynamics.com (http://www.alphadynamics.com) and a free ebook on stress. I've mentioned this site before because I am impressed that the ebook does not demand registration or giving out an email address, which I find refreshing. I also use their Stress Survival Kit for anxiety and panic disorder clients in between sessions, and have found that it helps a great deal.

Finally, if your doctor can only suggest pills, then you might think about changing your doctor to one who understands your problem with them. Believe me, most anxiety problems are capable of resolution and no-one should have to suffer with these conditions.

Jack

[Unregistered]

thank you guys for your posts...

very useful information...

i am going to see a hypnotherapist-NLP practioner on friday. i shall be going with the purpose of treatment but if i am not satisfied with him/her when i talk to them face to face then i will not chance it.

i will explain my issues clearly and directly to them and if they have had no experience then i will look elsewhere.

i am just desperate for help but do not want to take medication. hypnotherapy sounds like a good alternative. dealing with the person not just the chemicals of the body.

[Neurotic1]

Hi Guest

I have read some of the replies and people have expressed some useful thoughts for you. Treatment for certain conditions, such as schizophrenia, might be better led by a doctor but most other psychological conditions are highly amenable to a multidisciplinary approach. You express a desire to try to resolve your issues without medication and it sounds like you have given some sensible consideration to this. I wish you much success with your hypnotherapy.