Anxiety - where to go for help?

bragan

I have always been an anxious person, but I have been getting more and more anxious over the last couple of years. It is taking over my life. I'm tired of constantly fighting through anxiety to live my life. I want to get help, but I don't know what to do.

Should I go to my GP? Will they refer me to someone? Should i try to find a private therapist? I'm not even sure what type of help I need. I want to be able to manage my anxiety, and not let it control my life.

any advice would be appericated.

MagicMarker

Yep, go to your GP, he might refer you to a therapist, he might actually prescribe you something himself. Xanax for instance can be used for anxiety and it will probably work. I took 2 when I was going on a long distance flight and they knocked me out, and I NEVER sleep on planes.

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adastra

I suffer with anxiety, mostly social, but with panic attacks as well. I have been on tablets for a good while for my moods, but they are supposed to help with anxiety as well, but I never really felt they worked that great. My GP referred me to a psychiatrist and I decided to go private after a very bad experience with a HSE psychiatrist. I saw someone in the Dean Clinic in Dublin. It was pricey enough but my health insurance covered most of it. It was them that diagnosed me properly and they gave me a place on an anxiety program as a day patient in St Pats Hospital in Dublin (all covered by health insurance).

I have to say the program is great, I went for 5 weeks before Christmas, and it really really helped me. Its based on cognitive behavioural therapy, and its a group program. I'm going back tomorrow for hopefully the last time. I was very apprehensive before I started, but I'd recommend it to anyone who's suffering from anxiety.

If you want anymore info, feel free to PM me, and good luck with whatever you do:)

bragan

Thanks everyone. I don't actually live in/near Dublin, but thanks adastra.

I have tried self help books before, and they didn't help. There is no private clinics anywhere close to me. I want to find someone who is good at their job to help me, but since I don't know anyone I think i'll have to go through the HSE. I just hope the people there do help.

togster

Hi OP.

Was in the same boat as yourself up untill a couple of months ago. Anxiety/worry took over my life in all situations. IMO anxiety results because of your minds will to project you away from the present and into future scenarios. It is the psychological time gap that creates the anxiety. I found myself creating mental movies of possible situations. So i knew deep down that this was ridiculous. Everyday i would try and counteract these negative thoughts with positive ones to no avail.

Try to focus on the present moment. Watch how your mind works. Just observe. Try not to analyse the thoughts. Do this enough and you will see just how much your mind has a tendancy to flee the present. Even simple things like taking a concious breath. Slow down. When climbing a stairs, pay close attention to each step. I know this sounds like mumbo jumbo, but just try to observe your thoughts, and live right here right now. If you have something to do, then do it or else don't but wither way just accept it. Watch your thoughts in theses phases of activity/inactivity.

A cognitive specialist would be of great benefit. But the majority woll tell you to focus on what you are doing right now.
Good Luck OP.
It will get better.