Anxiety

[Rob2829]

I went through some anxiety causing situations last year, and I haven't been able to shake them off. Yeah I handle it better now, but I want to be back to my old self. I talked to my friend who always used to get stressed out in college, and I was always the laid back type. I talked to him, and he is relaxed and happier than ever. It seems like I'm the opposite. It is hard to make plans and enjoy yourself when you are worried about being nervous. I used to love to go out to eat, go to movies, or just hang out with friends, and now I fear those situations. When I do put myself there, because I am stubborn, I'm glad I did, but still wish I couldve enjoyed them like I used to without worrying, which gets me down.

Anyway, could hypnosis help with this?

[Don]

Hypnotherapy is very good in dealing with stress, unnecessary worries, etc.

[Rob2829]

Should I see a professional hypnotist or hypnotherapist? Is it worth trying on my own? I don't know much about hypnotherapy.

[Terry (existing)]

Decide on the seriousness of your problem first. Then ask yourself, "if this were a physical problem, such as a continual pain, the cause of which was not identifiable, what would I do"? If the answer is, "it's serious enough to see a doctor," why would you attempt to self medicate because the problem is of a mental nature instead of physical? As with a physician, you have no guarantee that you will get the best treatment, unless you go to someone highly recommended, but self medicating guarantees you won't get the best, so make your choice......

[Terry (existing)]

Sorry, I rather jumped the gun, and sent an incomplete post. I should have added, "I hope you will also consult a doctor for a checkup, since physical causes should be ruled out first".....

[Rob2829]

Thanks for the info guys.

I went to the doctor, thinking I had pneumonia, due to heavy breathing, and it was ruled as anxiety. I was prescibed with Xanax. I was in Therapy later, and then released, since I seemed to be almost over it. It has been much better than it was, but I want to wash it away completely and return to my normal life. My symptons are feeling dizzy (fearing passing out), negative thinking, and after I suffer a panic attack, I am emotional for a couple days to a week, kind of down. Very strange, but the hundreds of books (exhaggerated) that I have seem to match my symptoms. I try to hard sometimes I think.

The negative thinking techniques, rubber band every time I have a negative thought, helped. It made me laugh everytime I did it, so if nothing else, brightened my spirits.

I just want to go to dinner, movies, travel, etc, without worrying that I will have anxiety during it, which ends up ruining what I am doing, thus feeling down, and lack of interest to do anything. When I am caught up in something, I am happy, like usual, and carefree.

[Terry (existing)]

To ask us to diagnose the cause of your problems at a distance would be foolish for you, and criminal for us to do.....I can however suggest a possible cause for not returning to normal as yet. It may be that after the original experience you are under tension in case it might happen again, and tension accompanied by fear causes you to imagine constantly that certain situations will trigger an attack. In the same way, asking you not to think of something will cause you to do it, so your fear will point you in the wrong direction, and you are likely to make your fears come true.... I used to have a fear of exams for instance, and tension caused me to forget the information I had studied, so I was in constant fear of failing. I found that relaxing did the trick for me, and found a way to relax, so that I passed all my exams. I can honestly say, I have never failed, yet I am sure I would have done so if I hadn't taken action to prevent the freezing up that accompanies fear of possible unpleasant consequences....

[Rob2829]

I'm not asking you to diagnose me. Assuming that I am correct, I'm wondering ways to help me get through these problems. I thought hypnotism/hypnotherapy might be a way to help.

Thanks

[Terry (existing)]

I was under the impression that Don's post had answered that question, so why should I repeat it?

[Rob2829]

You shouldn't repeat it, I was responding to your question of why I came to this board in the beginning, and my background. I appreciate the help.

[Jack]

Hello Rob,

If you are having panic attacks I would suggest you get the free ebook I mentioned in another thread about anxiety. I know you have a lot of books but this one is very good, and quite funny at times.

Both Terry and Don have given you good advice regarding hypnotherapy - I would only add that having found a professional therapist, it may take several sessions to get to the root cause of your problem; anxiety can be quite intractable sometimes, but hypnotherapy has a very good success rate. Just be patient. Good luck!

Jack

[Rob2829]

Thanks Jack.


I will look for the ebook.