Speaking of anxiety...

[Deleted]

I replied in the other thread that I take Zoloft for anxiety. I hav been on it 3 months and it seems to be working. My doctor has brought up me seeing a separate therapist for individual counseling because my coping skills suck. I'm still on the fence about it for some reason. He allows me to have a script of low dose Xanax, but told me it's only for a panic attack or a phobia situation. For those of you that take meds for anxiety or depression, do you receive any kind of other therapy or counseling for it?

[stinkyfeet]

Yes! And being on the meds makes talk therapy so much less stressful for me.

[jmc325]

When I first started taking my anti-depression and anxiety meds I was also in counseling; seeing a therapist once weekly. I stopped those medications and counseling entirely and it's been about a year (more or less). Now that I've started taking Lexapro, I'm not in counseling and only taking medication. I found counseling to be really beneficial though and plan on starting up again.

[grover]

I tried talk therapy before going on meds and didn't care for the therapist who was covered under the insurance who worked with my schedule. My PCP then was willing to write me a script so I stopped the talk to save the copay. I'm off now though.

H just started on meds and his practice requires talk therapy if you also want meds. He likes this dr more than the one he saw at my original practice

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2017 14:18:36 GMT -5 @angelicapickles said:

I really need to get into therapy. I also take Zoloft and I've told my doctor that it helps me to not go looking for things to worry about but when something comes my way, I don't have the coping skills to deal with it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was what was recommended to me.

This is me, exactly. I'm pretty sure CT would be the way he would have me go. I bought a workbook a couple years ago and tried to do it own and failed miserably.

[zoomzoom]

Apr 3, 2017 14:09:30 GMT -5 stinkyfeet said:

Yes! And being on the meds makes talk therapy so much less stressful for me.

Same.  My therapist has also recommended that I see a psychiatrist to address my meds instead of my PCP.

[sunnysally]

I loved CBT. I'm an analytical scientist, so the logical, step approach to dealing with anxiety was very helpful. I need the meds to help me function but therapy gave me tools to help me realize my anxiety/OCD triggers and behaviors. I've been struggling lately, but going back to the therapy worksheets has been helpful.

[speckledfrog]

Therapy is the best. And its an incredible complement to the meds. I put it off for a long time, but when I got to the point where I had to increase my dosage I started going to therapy as well. I really, really love it. I feel like I have some control over whats going on in my life, instead of just being subjected to it all.

[zoomzoom]

Apr 3, 2017 14:34:24 GMT -5 @angelicapickles said:

Apr 3, 2017 14:25:56 GMT -5 zoomzoom said:

I've said this before but switching to a psychiatrist instead of my PCP made a huge difference for me. I don't feel like PCPs are trained enough in mental health, personally.

That is exactly what my therapist said.  I went to walk in once and had a different dr than I usually go to.  He looked at the combo of meds I was taking and switched one of them b/c apparently I was on 2 that conflicted with each other.  

[hokiegirl82]

I take Wellbutrin and Zoloft for depression and anxiety. A psychiatrist prescribes them. I also see a therapist every 2 weeks. The combination of meds and therapy are perfect to help me deal with my mental health issues. I've dealt with stuff just taking meds in the past with no therapy, but this time around the therapy is definitely necessary in addition to the meds.

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2017 14:34:24 GMT -5 @angelicapickles said:

Apr 3, 2017 14:25:56 GMT -5 zoomzoom said:

Same.  My therapist has also recommended that I see a psychiatrist to address my meds instead of my PCP.

I've said this before but switching to a psychiatrist instead of my PCP made a huge difference for me. I don't feel like PCPs are trained enough in mental health, personally.

They aren't. I talked to both my PCP and OBGYN before deciding I had to see a specialist. My PCP reluctantly gave me Xanax but told me if I took them too often he wouldn't refill it. My OBGYN was very supportive but said she couldn't help.

[Deleted]

What is a typical therapy session like? Do they just focus on your anxiety triggers, or do they delve way into your history?