Anxiety is cruel beast. It doesn’t like to play by the rules, and it does everything in its power to make you feel miserable and helpless. Anxiety is also a no-holds barred fighter, and boy, does it fight. Taking into consideration that anxiety is a mental disorder, it can be harder to fight than a illness that physically attacks your body and makes you sick. For anxiety, there is no cure. Don’t lose hope just yet! While there may be no cure, there are treatments available such as psychotherapy, commonly known as “talk-therapy,” medication, and support groups.
First and foremost, let’s get over the stigma that seeing a mental health professional means your crazy or unstable. You’re not. It’s perfectly acceptable to want to seek out professional help. In fact, I highly recommend it! Especially if you’ve reached the point where you feel that your life has become unmanageable.
Secondly, you don’t have to take medication if you don’t want to. It’s not a requirement for getting help. That decision is solely up to you and your doctor. If dependency runs in your family like it does mine, then I recommend weighing your decision carefully.
When it comes to support groups, there are both face-to-face groups and online groups. It may take a bit of research to find if there are meetings available in your area and how often they are held. Online groups, in my experience, are easier to come by, although, you still might need a bit of research to find a group that you fit in well with and that meets your needs. Keep in mind that if any advice is given regarding treatment, you should still speak with a mental health professional about it before moving forward.
As for me, I benefited most from seeing a therapist because it allowed me to learn techniques and tools to manage my anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, it gave me someone to talk through my feelings with. When I tried the medication, I found that it worked to a degree; however, I still needed to keep meeting with my therapist while taking it. As time went on, I decided to stop taking the medication because I wanted to rely strictly on the techniques and tools. As for online support groups, the one I attended was more of a forum-based site which was helpful, and it was a great way to connect with individuals who shared similar experiences to mine.
No matter what path you take, you can’t go wrong. Find what works for you and go with it. I support you in your endeavor.
For your convenience, I have created a page with direct links to multiple online support groups and links to sites where you can look up face-to-face groups. Click here to be redirected.
With love & support, Molly
