Anxiety
Below are case studies covering the following anxieties. Just scroll down to find one.
o Panic attacks and agoraphobia
o Phobia
o Social Anxiety
o Public Speaking Anxiety
o General Anxiety
o Insomnia
o Worry
o Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
o Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Panic attacks and agoraphobia
I'd been suffering from panic attacks for years. I got them in crowded places like supermarkets, shops, buses or trains. As soon as I got a feeling that I couldn't quickly get away, I'd panic. My heart would start racing, I'd perspire (actually sweat, but that's only supposed to apply to horses). Sometimes I'd feel dizzy. Then I had to escape quickly. It got so bad I stopped going out. If I did go out, I'd have to go with a friend to feel that I could cope.
I'd tried counselling but it hadn't helped much. I later learned this was the wrong kind of therapy for my problem. Then I heard about Acceptance-Action Therapy, anadvanced form of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I had some sessions and it was magic. My panic attacks cleared up in a couple of weeks and I was soon no longer afraid to go out.
Dawn Jacobs
Phobia
I had a bad experience with a dog when I was young. I seemed to get over it and was more or less OK with dogs for many years. Then I started to get nervous around them. Maybe it was a delayed reaction. Maybe it was triggered by a news story. I don't know. My nervousness got worse and developed into a full blown phobia. I became afraid to even go out in case I met a dog.
My GP recommended Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT for short). I was on a twelve month waiting list for CBT with the NHS when someone told me about Acceptance-Action Therapy, which combines CBT with something called Positive Acceptance. I had a few sessions and my phobia was quickly resolved. I now regularly look after a friend's dog.
Marilyn Hart
Social Anxiety
I was terrified of any sort of social interaction. Even chatting with a neighbour was frightening and something I avoided. I'd never go to social functions if I could possibly avoid them. I knew it was restricting my life but I couldn't help it.
I finally decided I had to do something about it. A friend recommended Acceptance-Action Therapy. At first I was terrified of having to talk to a therapist but mt therapist put me at ease very quickly. The treatment was amazing. Within a couple of sessions I was inviting neighbours around for coffee. Then it just expanded from their. I was gently encouraged to stretch myself. The key for me was understanding what to do with my anxious feelings.
I now socialise freely like everyone else. I've some lost time to make up and I'm revelling in it. I'm so happy I took what for me was a daring step and signed up for the therapy.
Laury Kendall
Public Speaking Anxiety
Ever since my late teens I'd been terrified of speaking to groups. I know most people are nervous, at least at first, but my fear seemed to go beyond normal nervousness. If I had to speak, I'd worry about it for weeks. As the time came closer I'd start to feel unwell. On the day I'd often be literally sick with worry. Getting up to speak was about the most fearful thing I could imagine.
I heard about Acceptance-Action Therapy and decided to give it a go. It was the best decision of my life. It completely changed the way I thought about the problem. Before long I was starting to enjoy it. I now speak regularly to groups and look forward to it instead of living in fear.
Anyone who suffers even half as much as I did should, in my view, take this therapy and get their nerves under control.
Ian Smart
General Anxiety
I'd been anxious for as long as I could remember. I'd wake up feeling anxious, I'd feel anxious all day long and I'd go to bed feeling anxious. I didn't know why I was feeling anxious but when I did have something to feel anxious about, I'd just feel more anxious and often go into a panic.
I'd had lots of counselling. I'd explored my past. I have wonderful parents and had an easy, but for some reason anxious, childhood. The counselling was interesting but didn't resolve my anxiety.
Then finally, in my early thirties, I was referred for Acceptance-Action Therapy. My anxiety started to diminish almost immediately. It was wonderful. For the first time in more years than I could remember, I was waking up not feeling anxious.
Within a few weeks my anxiety had cleared up altogether.
I've had the odd recurrence since, but it doesn't worry me. I just use the techniques I've learned and it goes away again. It's now been almost a year since I last felt anxious. I'm living a normal life and loving it.
Victoria Leigh
Insomnia
I'd been experiencing sleepless nights for many years. I used to lie awake getting anxious about how my lack of sleep would effect me the next day. The only way I could get a night's sleep was to drink heavily before going to bed. I knew that was a slippery slope and wasn't doing my health any good at all.
My GP has given me sleeping pills which worked for a while, but as soon as I stopped taking them, I was back the way I was before. I didn't want to develop a dependency on the drugs, so I found some therapy. A work colleague who'd experienced something similar recommended Acceptance-Action Therapy. I'm very glad he did.
After the very first session, I had a good night's sleep for the first time for a long time, without the support of alcohol or drugs. After a few more sessions, I had it cracked and have been sleeping well ever since. Finding help from an experienced therapist was the best thing I ever did. I'm truly grateful.
Jonathan Wild
Worry
I used to worry about everything. I'd worry about my health, my children, my finances and my future. I'd even worry about dying despite having no reason to think I might do so in the forseeable future. It never did me any good and it made me miserable, but it seemed I was a worry addict.
People used to tell me not to worry so much, but it never did any good. Then a friend got me to go for some treatment and suggested Acceptance-Action Therapy.
I don't think I even knew what it was like not to spend the day worrying, but I soon found out. I was gently encouraged to put my worrying on hold and given guidance as to how to achieve this. When I eventually stopped worrying it was like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders.
I now live my life virtually worry-free. I don't miss worrying at all. It's freed me up to think about more productive things. Looking back I find it pretty extraordinary that I devoted so much of my life to it. People used to say I was a born worrier. Maybe I was but, if so, thank goodness I've been reborn.
Audrey Parkinson
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
I'd had this problem since I was in my teens. As the years went by, it just got worse. I'd spend hours getting dressed and then spend the day cleaning and adjusting the position of everything in the house. I can't imagine how many times I washed my hands every day. I was embarrassed to see the state they were in.
I'd had counselling before and spent some time exploring issues around my childhood, but it had little effect on my OCD. Then I was referred for treatment using Acceptance-Action Therapy. The improvement started straight away. I'd expected I'd be a challenging case as I'd been suffering for so long, but my OCD was completely cured.
I still get an occasional urge to do one of my old rituals, but I know what to do when it happens and the urges are fading away. My life is so different now and I'm eternally grateful for the help I received.
Nadia Ritter
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
I knew I'd never really got over the accident, but it wasn't until I started getting flash-backs and couldn't sleep, that I realised I needed help. I was treated with Acceptance-Action Therapy. I was worried I'd have to relive the full trauma of the accident, but in fact the treatment was painless.
The flashbacks disappeared, I started to sleep normally again and was able to recall the accident without getting anxious and upset. It was hugely effective and, while I can't compare it with other treatments, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the therapy for anyone.
Paul Weir
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