I'm not really one to talk in public about my mental disorders, but I recently decided to see a doctor about managing my anxiety (which I've had issues with since I was a teenager, and peaked when I was in college).

In addition to medication, she also suggested I see a counselor/behavioral therapist for it. I've been to a therapist before (for something else entirely) and found it helpful at the time, but only went for a few sessions.

So, I was just wondering if anyone else has had experience with going to therapy regarding anxiety/other mental health disorders, and what it was like?

I haven't gone myself, but I know some people whom have gone. All I can say is you have to be truly honest with your therapist. I know many who go and lie and they aren't getting any better. They don't like to admit bad things they have done so they don't talk about it.

I am very glad you are seeking help and I hope you are able to get the best use out of it <3

I went to therapy for a couple of sessions and I did not think it was helpful at all to me. The only reason I was stressed was from demands from my job/college. I have been medicated and have managed to work on teaching myself not to stress as much. I feel like I'm too relaxed at times. Just treat yourself to some R&R, after a daunting task or a hard day at work take some time at the end of the day doing something you enjoy. That way you always have something to look forward to it.

Or try to go again, there is nothing to loose with therapy. Different strokes for different folks. Not one solution will work for many people.

Don't get frustrated if it doesn't seem to work out with your therapist(s). Sometimes you have to "shop around", so to speak, in order to find one that works best for you.

Therapy can be a very valuable tool, but also extremely difficult at times. Good luck - I hope at the very least you can discover ways to manage your anxiety.

Thank you! Yeah, I don't quite understand why someone would lie, but I guess everyone handles situations differently.

Yeah, I've just started medication, so hopefully that'll help. And I'm going to give this thing a go, I figured one session can't hurt and I can go from there afterwards.

Thank you! Yeah, I'm definitely the type of person that would do that if this guy doesn't work out. Either way, one session is all I've got right now, so may as well give it a shot.

It takes a while for the medication to work, so don't be discouraged. Took six months for me to feel better.

I'm supposed to go to a therapist...but I have social anxiety, among other things. So new people, especially opening up to new people is a nope.

Sorry to hear it took so long for you. I'm only a week in, and not really feeling anything yet, but I know it takes time.

Yeah, I know it's hard for some people for sure. But I would definitely try and give it a shot even though it might be tough at first. They'll be able to help you manage those sorts of things.

I go to counseling for anxiety, I dunno how much it helps.

I was suggested CBT to defuse anxious thoughts. I keep an anxiety journal and I end up self-defusing anxious scenarios. Being on Tumblr is one of my greatest anxiety stressors because people on there use blame-laden language so often, though I suppose it's an underlying cause and not the website itself. It's gotten better as I changed the people I follow.

Others hit on it, but don't be discouraged if you get paired with someone who doesn't click or who gives advice that isn't compatible with you. (Note that it's not "hard to do", just straight up incompatible. Sometimes therapy will ask you to do things that are outside your comfort zone but are important in helping your progress. Sometimes they'll just be straight up unhelpful and tell you to do things that you know will be harmful. It's important to take a moment and really determine if something they've handed you is one or the other.) Sometimes you have to hop from one to another before you find one that really clicks with you. Don't get discouraged or think all therapy is bad if this happens once or twice or even three times. There's someone out there who'll match you, and the elimination process can be uncomfortable, but it's worth it.

A good therapist should be able to help you pinpoint what your anxiety triggers are, how to manage attacks and self-soothe in constructive/non-harmful ways, get you on medications that can help balance you and make attacks less frequent, and work through any other outstanding issues that surround your anxiety or current issues that it's caused.

I've done a lot of therapy and meds for a slew of problems, and I've always been thankful for getting it when I DO find the ones that work. It's tough to stick with sometimes, but I always come out for the better. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting out of the house, into the car, and getting there. The trick there is to treat yourself afterwards; get yourself something nice and/or tasty after a successful appointment!

I hear you! I have Tumblr too and have definitely had to unfollow certain people because it was just a constant slew of garbage that was not helpful for to read, nor was it even something I wanted to hear about.

I'm glad you found someone to your liking! And yeah, I had my meeting yesterday actually, and while it wasn't full-on therapy, the guy was really nice, not that I expected him not to be. But it was interesting and he gave me some papers and information so it was a good experience.

Years ago I was hospitalized and one of the things I was diagnosed with was anxiety. I got paired with meds and a "Christian counselor" lol, and eventually decided neither of those things were for me.

Instead I just kept worrying, staying awake at night, and practiced self therapy. Learned that caffeine in the evening worsens it, and one important thing that helped too is having something to work on at home like cooking, art, sewing, plants, learning a language, building a skill, so no matter how much life sucks there is always hope for happiness in the future. Also working helped me practice much needed social skills and kept my mind busy (though sometimes too busy but hey, $$$$). I would never have learned to manage it if it werent for that hospital visit though. It inspired me to never let it happen again.

I hope you have good luck navigating the craziness!

Even with medication lots and lots of caffeine sets me off, doesn't matter what time of the day. Medicine doesn't always help, but it has suppressed my anxious feelings. Actually, being in school and taking counseling and health psychology courses have really helped me immensely. I recommend the how of happiness book by Sonja Lyubomirsky. It is an eye opener and she gives great tips on how to turn your life around and be more positive and optimistic. She suggests keeping a journal and many more great activities. She even quizzes you to find out what task might be the best for you. Had to read it for class and have found it to be one of the reads that has kept me interested.

I'm glad you've found something that works for you! I'll definitely keep an eye out for that book, it sounds really interesting :)

I saw a therapist weekly during the height of my anxiety for a quite a few months, back in 2015. That was very good for me, talking through my troubles and anxieties, and I went on medication not long after. That doubled with what I learned through therapy was very helpful and helped me get through some very difficult times. Now, I am almost off the medication (I just saw my psychiatrist for the last time this week with directions to ween myself off the medication) and I'm feeling the best I have in a long time.

Get and use all the help you need. ❤

I'm glad you found it worked for you! I've been on my medication for almost a month now and I find it's really helping. My anxiety has been really reduced and I feel like I can think more clearly, which is really refreshing.

Also I have the 'cat, I'm a kitty-cat!' song in my head now because of your signature haha!

And now i have that song stuck in my head as well. :P how have you been hun?