Starting CBT for anxiety

[Rumplestiltskinismyname]

Hi, I've finally (after years of ups and downs)- gone to the doctor and said that I want help with anxiety. Of course, the tears started flowing, and my lovely family doctor looked a bit shocked!

He said that he'd like me to start some CBT and didn't give me any meds. That's fine, as long as the CBT is going to help!!

I have bizarre anxieties.

... I have anxiety relating to sleep- and I am constantly stressing over how much sleep I feel I need. If I don't go to sleep early enough in the night, I then don't sleep at all as I am panicking over not getting enough (bizarre I know!) This particular one means that I don't work now, as it really was impinging on my life. I am lucky to have a DH who is able to keep us solvent, but I would love to go back to work soon as my very good degree is somewhat going to waste!!

... I panic over having another DC as I fear they'll have a disability (so I have an only child)

... and I panic that I am going to be killed or kill someone if I drive on the motorway (so I don't drive on the motorway despite having held a license for 15 years)

... I have developed a new one recently where I have developed a fear of being arrested and being incarcerated- and will think about anything mildly illegal that I may have done in my youth! This is just to name a few- my obsessions chop and change a fair bit!

All of the above lead to much googling, obsessing and stressing. My DH is at the end of his tether as he cannot make me stop being so wired.

I can't see how a therapist is going to help and how I am going to verbalise the above, but am willing to have an open mind.

Can someone reassure me that CBT is the answer!

Hi I suffered anxiety severely and was referred to CBT and it actually worked. I was very sceptical and convinced it wouldn't work but it did. Hope it works for you. All you can do is try and good luck.

I'm actually starting a course tomorrow, keeping fingers crossed it can help.

Thanks for the responses. Good luck for tomorrow susiedaisy. I hope it works... I really, really need it to work. Hate feeling a bit controlled by nonsensical stressing.

Thanks xx

Hi op just thought I'd give you an update on my first group CBT session. It was good. it covered basic things to so with anxiety nothing most people in the room didn't already realise but it gave a grounding so that the group can move forward. It felt reassuring to know that I'm not the only one suffering with this. There was a real mixture of ages of people both men and women. What I found telling was when asked what common causes create anxiety the men straight away said work and money. The women said relationships and trying to juggle all the responsibilities of family life. Anyway I'm hoping it will help me over the next 6 weeks. Will keep you updated. Hope you're ok

Thanks susiedaisy! I haven't been contacted yet by whoever it is that is I've been referred to yet, so no real idea as to when my sessions are going to start. Feeling a bit better just having a referral! Are all the sessions going to be group ones? Some of my anxieties are so personal (and indeed so irrational) that I don't think I'd feel comfortable discussing them in a group situation.

I hope you start to feel better soon too x

Hi, on the course I'm on you do the group one first and then you have the chance to do a course of treatment on your own, I think a lot of us feel the same about opening up in front of others.

Yes, I think CBT will be really beneficial.

Best of luck and have some

Hope you don't mind if I join in with this thread? I've also been to the doctor's today and have been referred for CBT. I don't have any specific anxieties (I don't think) but have been through quite a turbulent year and know my anxiety is manifesting itself as physical symptoms (head rushes, pounding heart, feeling like the ground is moving etc) which are driving me crazy.

I hope everyone starts to feel better as it's really no fun, is it? Can I just ask, do you tell people that you're having this therapy? I know there shouldn't be any stigma attached, but I will have to go to the local mental hospital for this and it's making me feel like I should keep it to myself in case people think, well, I don't know what they might think.

I've told my husband and a close friend who has been through a similar type of therapy- but other than that have kept it to myself.

I have a few friends who may not understand and just think I should 'pull myself together'- or be a bit like..., 'you, nah... what have you got to stress about?!'. I haven't told my folks, my mum is a worrier, and it doesn't seem fair to let her worry about me!

But yes- please join us! Strength in numbers and all that. I hope CBT gives you some relief, I'm hoping it will help me calm my chattering, whirring mind!!

hypnotherapy is also great

please remember to get a blood test too tho in case it is exacerbated by low iron or thyroid probs

Thanks Rumple. mercibucket I may well try the hypnotherapy too as I've heard it works well.