How to help severe anxiety without a psychologist?!
Question: How to help severe anxiety without a psychologist?
My anxiety is irrational and I hate it because I used to see myself as a logical person. I am able to talk myself into making crazy decisions and am to the point where I am almost afraid to leave my house. I've had a lot of stress and chaos in my personal life which I know can make depression and anxiety worse. I know that there are many things in my life outside of my control but I can't stop thinking of these things. I'm afraid I'll be raped again, be in car accidents, etc. I just can't shut my brain off. I can't stop myself from thinking about how people are judging me because I've gained about 10 pounds, or judging me because I recently have taken a leave of absence from school to help out with problems at home, or for many other reasons I come up with. I can't afford seeing a psychologist on a regular basis and honestly I'm not sure if talking about it helps me. I just need to find a way to control my anxiety because right now I feel like it is controlling me.
Answers:
Please do not despair I can honestly say that I can personally relate to exactly what you are going through. I too am a rape survivor. I now say survivor because I realized that the longer I saw myself as a victim the longer that person still had control of my emotional state. I was also diagnosed with PTSD and I also did not find talking to a stranger helpful but what I did find helpful was advice I had received from my son who served 2 tours in Iraq and also has PTSD. He taught me how to meditate. Through learning more about myself I also learned that I am stronger than I ever thought possible. I occasionally have nightmares but not like the daily ones I used to have.
If there is anyone you can trust and feel are genuine in wanting to work through this with you take advantage of what they may have to offer in advice or just talking about it. I never imagined that I would ever tell any of my sons that I was in that kind of situation but it was the best decision I ever made. Disregard those who are judging you because they don't have a clue in what you are going through. It's easy for people who haven't experienced things that you have to make judgements because they just don't have a clue.
I strongly suggest you give meditation a try because it helped me so much and is continuing to help me now in my everyday life. It gave me back the control in my life that I allowed anxiety to take away from me. You are an incredible person with strengths that will you find you never knew you had. In time you will be able to regain your life back and toss the anxiety to the curb. Trust me and believe in the wonderful person that you are and you will see that things will turn around for you. There is that old saying,"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is very true. You are a survivor don't ever forget that and you are here for a reason and purpose. Remember you are stronger than you know just allow yourself to accept that and you will accomplish anything. Give it a try, what could it hurt? You are never alone even when you"re convinced that you are. I hope this helps or if at the least gives you a little encouragement to trust and believe in the strong person you are.
Best wishes on your journey.....xoxo
self
Look dear, i clearly understand how you feel.....not da rape thing, but those weird thoughts you have inside your mind, of being raped, or anything tragic that could happen to you..what you need is a friend or maybe someone you can be with, or spend a lot of time with..you are not anxious exactly, you are alone!!aloof!!..make some friends dear,surf thru' social websites...use fb or tweet.....good luck, take care...
you need to go see a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. i also am a rape victim. actually i am an victim of incest. it occurred over a 4 year period. like you i had a hard time dealing with it. i suffer among other things severe anxiety, PTSD, and severe depression and dissociation. my psychiatrist has me on medications to help but i also see a psychologist on a regular basis. it took me several tries before i found one that really helps me. he doesn't ask a lot of questions. we just sit and talk and somehow things just come out of my mouth and then he will ask me if i want to talk about it. at any point i can change the subject knowing that we can talk about it another time.
my other counselor wouldn't do that. i understand now that what happened to me was not my fault. i am starting to let go of the anger towards the person who did this to me and towards myself for letting it happen to me. the right therapist can make the biggest difference in your life. please for your sake try another therapist. and go to a psychiatrist for help also. your life will be better for it.
personal experience.