Will therapy help me?

[StrugglingWithItAll123]

My mental health is really low at the moment and has been for a long time now. My confidence is below zero, I'm having regular intrusive thoughts and generally just feel frightened and worried all the time. Panicky. I completely obsess over things. My behaviour and how I come across to people.

I'm taking small things and turning them into huge catastrophies, I'm worrying about absolutely everything all the time and I've completely lost my backbone and I feel needy, vulnerable and apologetic about everything, like I'm not good enough to exist. If I got ran over at the minute I'd probably apologise for denting the car.

I really don't want to go down the medication route so I'm hoping to invest in some private therapy to help me deal with my emotions and hopefully try and find a way out of this.

Will it be worth the money or do I need to just accept living like this?

you have nothing to lose by trying, on the face of it, you look like a good candidate for therapy. Have you had any before?

If you can afford it try it. My advice would be shop around a bit - see 2-3 for an initial chat and see who 'clicks'. There are various associations for listing qualified therapists. What matters most is that you can form a good therapeutic relationship with your therapist. I've had therapy in person and online several times. It's not a magic bullet but it can help.

No it's all new to me

Has anyone else felt like this? Like I'm in a constant cloud of doom

Absolutely, counselling can help. It's been a life saver. I recommend exploring the BACP directory or Psychology Today directory to find a therapist whose approach resonates with you. Trust your instincts in choosing a therapist, there's lots of evidence to say qualifications and experience don't matter as much as a good relationship with the therapist. Good luck!

Yes! As pp have said, choose someone you relate to - most will talk to you before you commit. Just a thought - could you be perimenopausal? Your experiences may fit.

I do suspect it's related to the menopause and will be booking an appointment to see GP tomorrow. I'm 40.

OP it sounds like you are suffering from generalised anxiety disorder.
Therapy can help with this. A therapist who can particularly target this problem, and who is trained in CBT, might be the best option, and might be more effective than general supportive counselling. https://babcp.com/CBTRegister/Search#/

It has helped me hugely with anxiety. Go for it!

Yes I'm certified in CBT (I don't practice) and I would recommend you find a good CBT practitioner as it was designed for exactly the problem you are having.

I feel like this a lot of the time and therapy is definitely helping me. As pps have said though try a few (many offer a free first session or phone call at least) as it makes a huge difference

I’m only a few years younger than you, if you need someone to chat to about it that understands feel free to dm me

I've been there, too, and therapy was a game-changer for me. It's like having a guide through the chaos, helping you navigate those tough feelings. However, antidepressants can make your emotions stable; I rely on them a lot (and I don't think prozac makes me tired). It might take time, but investing in your mental health is never a waste. You deserve the support to find your way out.

I'm having CBT (on the NHS, waited around 12 weeks after self-referral) and it's helping massively with similar issues so yes, I definitely think it could help you