The Real Question: Alternatives

Say psychologists, psychiatrist and anyone educated by and/or associated with the official definition of psychology (meaning practicing by what the textbooks say) have not been effective.

What are my alternatives?

I'm not interested in psychics or hypnotherapists, no church counselors or reiki masters.

This is the anti-psych forum, if I want to be 'anti-psych': What can I do?

Hi s-ss,
I am 47 y.o. and tried many different therapies. Sorry, I am new on this forum and maybe I shouldn't say this for now, but my advice is this: I can recommend PSTEC. Yes, this therapy is created by hypnotherapist and you said you are not interested in hypnotherapists. But anyway...

BTW, I tried also hypnotherapy (local hypnotherapist), but results was not satisfied for me. Of all psychotherapies, only body psychotherapy helped me, but very limited. I am very bitter on psychology because my youth is gone. I am now middle aged.

My problem is social anxiety which is less and less problem, BTW. Lately I made fast progress.

There are PSTEC therapists which gives help. Sorry for my bad English...

Hi SurvivalZ,

Sounds like a great therapy idea. For dogs. Anyone have anything else?

This might not help, and actually even make you feel worse, but I'm in my late 20's and feel the same way. I've wasted more than a decade of energy on psychology I could've spent on other things. I guess.
Well, you know what they say, "better late than never"! Not that I buy that at all, but if it helps someone feel better... *shrugs and rolls eyes*.
Good luck! ...What? I can be nice and non-sarcastic...! >=/ *grumbles*

I remember my fear to write something on forum like this. That's past. So, you see? Future can be better than past.

s-ss wrote:Say psychologists, psychiatrist and anyone educated by and/or associated with the official definition of psychology (meaning practicing by what the textbooks say) have not been effective.

What are my alternatives?

I'm not interested in psychics or hypnotherapists, no church counselors or reiki masters.

This is the anti-psych forum, if I want to be 'anti-psych': What can I do?

To me 'anti psychiatry' simply means the truth about psychiatry and opposition to psychiatric violations of human rights.

You can be 'anti psychiatry' and take drugs if you want. It's about informed consent, another anti psychiatry issue. We are not anti drug crusaders.

I think this is one of the best anti psychiatry videos www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOScYBwMyAA

Guess I should try to answer the question

The following listings provide information for people looking for alternatives to conventional, drug-focused care. http://www.madinamerica.com/resources/

Copy_Cat wrote:Guess I should try to answer the question

My thoughts exactly. I was confused as you seemed to be defending/correcting me on stances that were nowhere to be found in my post. Glad you added that second one.

By the looks of I won't be able to respond to its contents until I have more free time in a few weeks. I'm not anti-drugs, disagree with a lot of the way the psychiatric "industry" (I mean treatments) is kept alive and functioning in this day and age, but I have also seen first hand (in others) that it is often needed, and can even be helpful.

I'll elaborate in some time - as soon as I've scanned through and evaluated the links that you posted. Until that time, any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, keep 'em coming.

If you want a working solution, you must first describe your problem. Everybody's problem in life is different. Do you have a problem with your behavior, or your feelings, or your thoughts? What problem do you have?

I have shed much of my anxiety over the years. I'm unsure if it was anything more than experience and maturity, which has to happen on its own. I have strong goals for what I've wanted to accomplish, and those have helped me learn better to withstand buffeting from the outside world.

My feelings and energy are complicated by physical disorders, and I constantly assess how I might feel better. That has included allergy therapy, thyroid medication, etc. It's often difficult to detect a problem that's chronic and low-level.

I've done all sorts of stuff: classes, the arts, yoga, exercise, walking, music lessons, various body therapies including Alexander technique, shiatsu and more. I do self trigger-point by ball and foam rolling. I try to get away from the "therapy" mindset and just do what gives me relaxation and enjoyment.

mizzbelle wrote:I have shed much of my anxiety over the years. I'm unsure if it was anything more than experience and maturity, which has to happen on its own. I have strong goals for what I've wanted to accomplish, and those have helped me learn better to withstand buffeting from the outside world.

My feelings and energy are complicated by physical disorders, and I constantly assess how I might feel better. That has included allergy therapy, thyroid medication, etc. It's often difficult to detect a problem that's chronic and low-level.

I've done all sorts of stuff: classes, the arts, yoga, exercise, walking, music lessons, various body therapies including Alexander technique, shiatsu and more. I do self trigger-point by ball and foam rolling. I try to get away from the "therapy" mindset and just do what gives me relaxation and enjoyment.

I understand, to the minutae detail, what anxiety is and how it is caused. I have the same problem.
Read carefully: anxiety is when you try very hard to be perfect.

I have been working very hard, and I found that the dogmas such as ethics, moral, social rules, high goals, personal standards, etc. all of that need for compliance (nearly perfection) is what causes anxiety.

It is admirable how much you have tried, and self-explanatory considering you as somebody who works really hard on being perfect, or better. The only solution would be to change your ideology from perfectionism to something less demanding, more phlegmatic, such as letting things go and looking for how to have more fun in life... And I know you won't do it because I am a perfectionist too, and I wouldn't change.

However, I can selectively change. Switch off the perfection when I realize it would be perfect to switch it off in this certain situation. And if you are still with me, here is a perfect advice: when you next time feel anxious, think of the rule you are trying to apply in this situation (such as I must handle this perfectly) and realize how unimportant and unpredictable, out of control, the situation is, so that could be a perfect opportunity to temporarily lay off all rules, and do whatever you want, without any rules you have to abide...

Let me know your thoughts. I am 100% certain that this is what anxiety is, this is what causes it, and this is what solves it. Next time you are anxious, lay off all rules, consider you do not have to achieve anything in the particular situation, and therefore enjoy the feeling comparable to lying on a sofa and not having to do anything...