|
Anxiety Frequently Asked Questions - Common Anxiety Questions updated 03/06
| |
Q. I have had other therapy that didn't help. Can I still recover? |
| |
A. Yes, you can still overcome your anxiety, despite your unsuccessful prior therapy experiences. To understand why you're past therapy was ineffective; I would need to know much more about it. Was it a structured anxiety treatment program or an insight-oriented psychotherapy? Was the therapist
trained in anxiety treatment? Was your presenting problem one of anxiety, or did you present other issues as your primary concerns? What was the diagnosis by the therapist during the treatment?
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that only 25 percent of anxiety suffers seek help, and of that percent most receive inappropriate or ineffective care. It is also reported that a startling 98 percent of those who seek help for severe anxiety are treated with tranquilizers for up to 15 years, with no significant improvement. It is likely that you fall into the category of those who do not receive appropriate or effective treatment.
Naturally, you are skeptical about the possibility of anxiety recovery, based on your disappointment with past efforts. You are probably hesitant to commit to another treatment effort, in spite of your dream of freedom from fear and anxiety. Here are some things to consider, to help you develop a more optimistic attitude:
1. With appropriate and effective treatment, you often will know within approximately eight weeks if your anxiety condition is improving. In the CHAANGE program, for example, you would complete a progress evaluation at approximately eight weeks, and compare it to your initial self-evaluation. You do not have to spend months in therapy before you know if it is working. If it is not working, you have the option to discuss your lack of progress, or discontinue the treatment.
2. It would be helpful to talk with some other people who have overcome their anxiety disorders. You can ask your therapist to put you in touch with others who suffered from a similar form of anxiety, and who recovered successfully. For example, I have a list of names of former patients who have offered to talk with anyone who is considering the CHAANGE program. It can be reassuring to know that others like yourself have recovered.
3 Keep in mind that severe anxiety is a treatable condition, in spite of the fact that so many people receive inappropriate and ineffective help. For example, The National Institute of Mental Health reports that when properly treated, there is a 70 to 90 percent recovery rate for panic disorder. The success rate for the CHAANGE program is in this range, and this method has effectively helped people who suffered from panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other forms of severe anxiety. |
| |
Q I'm afraid I'll pass out if my anxiety gets really bad. Has anyone ever passed out from anxiety? |
| |
A The fear of passing out is, essentially, the fear of fainting or losing consciousness, and it is usually triggered by difficulty breathing. Breathing aberrations, such as rapid breathing and hyperventilating, are associated with severe anxiety episodes, and they are caused by adrenaline acting on the respiratory system. These breathing changes are the same as those associated with vigorous exercise, except that with anxiety there is no rational cause. The fear of smothering, choking or not being able to breathe intensifies the initial breathing abnormality, which feeds back into more fear, including the fear of passing out.
Fear of losing control is part of the problem. Passing out or fainting would be a form of losing control of the conscious mind. This is certainly the idea, but it is an unlikely possibility. In cases where other patients feared passing out, it had never actually occurred, and the individuals recognized that the chances of it happening were extremely low. Those individuals realized, upon deeper reflection, that there were a number of options they could exercise before passing out, such as leaving the anxiety-arousing situation, distracting themselves, or simply waiting until the feeling passed.
As in any severe anxiety episode, the first thing to do is tell yourself that it is not a life-threatening situation and that you will be all right. Trust that it will pass, and apply your relaxation skills. Use distraction, if necessary, and remind yourself that in most instances you have the option of leaving the situation. If you obtain proper treatment, you will learn the necessary skills for handling anxiety, and you will develop confidence in your abilities. When you no longer fear anxiety, your concern about passing out will diminish. |
| |
Q What if I already have a therapist? |
| |
A With your permission and sufficient interest on the part of your therapist, we can work cooperatively with your therapist. To remove us from being "in the middle," for example, we can provide your therapist with the CHAANGE materials you have purchased so that you'll receive your weekly materials directly from your current therapist. In fact, after working with CHAANGE your therapist may consider joining our team and we would certainly welcome them to do so.
|
| |
Q How is your program different from other phobia treatments? |
| |
A We view severe anxiety as a learned condition and have seen that it can be unlearned. Our patients learn positive and productive ways of thinking, behaving and feeling to replace the old non-productive, anxiety-producing ones.
|
| |
Q What's the difference between severe anxiety and agoraphobia? |
| |
A Severe anxiety, the broad category of extreme anxiety conditions, describes a variety of uncomfortable, often limiting types of bodily sensations and frightening, negative thought patterns regarding imagined future threats or mishaps. Agoraphobia is a specific category of anxiety which has led to avoidance of certain situations or circumstances.
|
| |
Q Do I need a support person to help me go places? |
| |
A No. Our belief is that people suffering from severe anxiety or panic attacks avoid places because they're afraid of the anxiety and the fearful feelings they experience, not because of the place or activity they are avoiding. Since you'll be learning to manage your feelings and thoughts, you'll be able to venture out alone, if you wish.
|
| |
Q My family doesn't understand. What can I do? |
| |
A CHAANGE endeavors to help your love d ones to be more supportive and understanding by providing them with suggestions and ideas. With or without their help, however, you can recover.
|
| |
Q How long does it take to end this problem? |
| |
A It varies. Some participants free themselves entirely in 16 weeks; others require longer periods of study and practice. The goal is to make significant and permanent changes in the ways you think, behave and what you believe about yourself. Fortunately, the CHAANGE materials are yours to review as often and as long as you like. "The secret is to live what is taught."
|
| |
Q How do I decide if CHAANGE is the right program for me? |
| |
A It is hard when you are feeling anxious to have hope in anything. Our experience with thousands of sufferers like yourself has taught us that you can recover. Look at the material at this website, read some of the books about CHAANGE, call our office with your questions, and then trust yourself to decide whether you want us to help you.
|
| |
Q Is there a program for anxious children? |
| |
A Yes. Based on years of experience and discovery, our LifeSkills anxiety program has been especially designed for children. This unique and insightful program helps the child to overcome his or her fears and concerns.
|
| |
We have tried to include answers to common questions on this page and in other sections of this website that new visitors may have in seeking solutions to their struggle with anxiety.
However, after a thorough review of this and other pages in our website, if you still have any unanswered questions about how CHAANGE or LifeSkills can help,
Please Email: info@treatmentanxiety.com |
|
