I Am Suffering From Anxiety Which Is Developing Into Paranoia.
Question: Hello. I am suffering from anxiety which has become worse over the last few years and is developing into paranoia. I need some advice on the best way to treat this and underlying issues. My difficult childhood left me with a lot of pain, anger, and a general bad feeling about myself. I am seeing a psychoanalyst and while there is some slow small change in my thinking, it has not helped my anxiety. I feel I am not doing the work as I should in my therapy - I avoid things, "can't think properly" and get caught up in the drama. It is probably because of me that the therapy is not as successful as it could be, but I also wonder if I need to see someone who deals specifically with anxiety, as the physical symptoms are quite unbearable at times. Thanks, Ray
Answer (1) Ray, I was initially trained psychoanalytically myself, so I am quite aware of the strengths and limitations of the psychoanalytic method. I found out fairly quickly that its long silences, relative passivity of the analyst, transference interpretations and regressive techniques were not all things to all people. Nor were they ever meant to be. Simply soldiering on and feeling like you're getting nowhere, is not wise. I feel you have to make a choice here.
You could accept some sort of medication to damp down the physical aspects of your overwhelming anxiety, so that you may engage more effectively with the psychological work with your analyst. Though this does entail some risk of developing a drug dependency. Or, you could transfer over to a psychotherapist who has a more pragmatic approach and significant experience in dealing with not just the dynamics of anxiety but also its physical phenomena.
Answer provided by David White, Psychotherapist
Answer (2) Hello Ray, I would recommend a therapist who offers any of the following: BeSetFreeFast, Hypnosis, TFT or EFT. The first technique would be the best, but there are not a lot of therapists trained in this technique in Australia yet. However, for the other techniques, you can find many therapists trained in these techniques. With the latter, you are able to tap the anxiety down when it arises and involves teaching you a tool to use, thus empowering yourself to be free of anxiety. The beauty of BeSetFreeFast is that it will clean up what is causing the anxiety as well as teach you a tool to use that can be done without notice (unlike tapping!) Another alternative is finding a therapist who has Biofeedback equipment with which you can learn on the computer how to breathe and control your breath and blood flow, once again putting you in control of the problem. Hope you can find a therapist near where you live that offers something useful for you. Good luck!
Answer provided by Jenny Skewes, Counsellor
Answer (3) Hi Ray, Anxiety usually relates to a number of underlying causes which can be genetic, life experience, thought processes or all of the above. After reading your question I note your comments about "not thinking properly" and "getting caught up in the drama." These can be very good ways of remaining anxious and not addressing the issue, as they keep you focused on the anxiety producing stimuli and may actually increase your worry, which could be happening here.
I am unsure what modalities your current psychotherapist is utilising and not questioning their methods but some solution focussed questioning may be useful to assist you to focus on ways to manage your anxiety rather than focussing on the anxiety itself. "Thought Stopping" techniques may also be useful to address your thought patterns, while also incorporating breathing exercises, as faulty breathing has also been found to relate to anxiety in many cases. I have many clients who have felt better soon after addressing breathing issues alone which then allows us to work on the thinking and behaviour side of the issue. I wish you well.
Answer provided by Ian Brown, Counsellor
Answer (4) Hi Ray; it seems to me that the anxiety might be getting in the way of uncovering the issue, which may explain why you feel like you are getting nowhere in therapy at the present time. I would suggest a therapist who practices EFT and who can help you get to the underlying issue so that you can decide where you want to go from there. It also seems to me that anxiety itself can be a body process that needs to be completed and therefore a Somatic therapist may also be of benefit to you.
Answer provided by Vince O'Keefe, Counsellor
