does therapy honestly help?

Question

I have social anxiety and I'm about to go to therapy in a few hours for the first time ever. Can't I just get a self help book? I mean sure I'll go today but I don't think I'll be able to go again. Wouldn't a self help book and being more out-going work just as well as embarrassing myself..er I mean spilling all my fears to a therapist? I mean in the end I'll be depending on myself to fix my problems so really seeing a therapist is pointless, right??
I'm really scared about going :[

Answer 1

Therapy can help tremendously. Yes, you'll be doing the changing and fixing the problem yourself, but how? Do you have the tools to fix it? No-you don't. There's something very freeing in talking with another person who will not judge you. The therapist is there for you and is trained to help you solve your problems. You can't ask questions to a book and you can't have a discussion with a book. You need to be able to have a dialogue with someone and to practice some social techniques. There's no reason to be afraid about going because nothing bad can happen. The worst that can happen is that you don't find it useful. Go with an open mind and give it a shot.

Answer 2

Don't be afraid. Talking to someone, particularly a therapist, is helpful. Here's why.

First, s/he is a professional, trained in health care. A therapist knows a lot about social anxiety, has dealt with people who suffer from it, and can recommend proper coping strategies. Second--and this may sound a little strange--s/he is a stranger. A therapist's interest in your well-being is professional, not personal, and that difference is important. A therapist brings a perspective different from that of a friend or family member. Third, a therapist can make personalized recommendations in a way that no book or self-help guide can. S/he can help you find the root of the anxiety and effectively address it.

Good luck and be well.

Answer 3

A lot of traditional therapy is useless, but some therapists are trained in ways that can actually help. The important thing is not so much to focus on the past, as to focus on what can help you survive each moment. Talking to your therapist about what sets you off is a good thing, but it's not so good to focus on what went wrong before. The best part of therapy is learning what to do to be successful in your life now. Your therapist should be trained in behavioral psychology and distress tolerance.

Most self-help books work for people who were pretty much fine already. They don't generally use techniques that psychiatrists have developed, but instead they use techniques that worked for the writer. Since everyone is different, the techniques that the writer used for himself are much less likely to be helpful to you.

My anxiety is still not under control after many years, but it's definitely better than it was. I have learned that staying home only makes the anxiety worse. AVOIDANCE is the one thing guaranteed to make anxiety worse. Your therapist should, above all, teach you to do OPPOSITE-TO-URGE ACTION. It is scientifically proven that this is the best way to reduce fear. If your therapist doesn't help you with this, GET A DIFFERENT ONE.

The main reason that my anxiety is still not under control is that I hopped around from therapist to therapist looking for the one that wasn't spewing bull****. Just this year I found a good one, and have seen lots of improvement. If you can find one trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, keep him.

Answer 4

If youre lucky enough to stumble upon a therapist who is insightful and can empathize it could be of great help. The challenge of trying to do it on our own, and Ive read about this, is that we can have 'blind spots' when looking at ourselves. Sometimes it is quicker and easier for an obective therapist to point out our problems then it is for us.

Personally I was never lucky enough to find a good therapist and have found self help books very benficial. Ive overcome a long term depression and reduced anxiety significantly in my life by doing some reading and a little reflecting. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Answer 5

As a person with an anxiety disorder for years I have one bit of advice for you. You will only get out of what ever help you seek what you put into it. In other words, you are already going in with a negative attitude, that this is embarrassing, that this won't work, etc. Therefore, you probably won't get anything out of it...save your money. You have already made up your mind it won't work for you...maybe you just aren't ready to get help, it happens. If you are looking for a good book to read try From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett.

Ultimately you are correct, you are the only one who can "fix" your problems, but you obviously don't have the tools to do so, which is where the therapist comes in. I wish you luck.

Answer 6

Your first session will probably be a "getting to know" you thing with the therapist, and he or she will ask general questions..

We don't go to therapy to be embarrassed, but to receive direction and guidance to learn how to cope... the therapist is there, but YOU are the one who needs to put the work and effort in to the program in order to change things.. therapy is about YOU, not the therapist. And believe me when i say, therapists have heard it all, they aren't embarrassed for you, and know that everyone has issues and problems. they are trained to help people... it's their job....

Self-help books are great, too, but i think that talking with someone is equally important...

Don't depend on yourself to fix problems in THE END.. work the program.. THERAPY WORKS WHEN WE WORK IT.

You can be scared about going --everyone is nervous over it at first. It's normal. Being scared of getting good help and support isn't normal, though.

Answer 7

My therapist right now has been soooo helpful to me. Im the type of person who doesnt trust anyone and I dont like sharing my feelings. However she has helped me through some tough stuff and I know she will be there if I need to talk to her. It feels really nice. I told her off the bat I dont really like to talk much about stuff but she has a more aggressive approach that draws me out. I think therapy could really help you especially when you arent sure if you are progressing or not they can give you objective feedback. Its so much easier to not do things on your own. Its scary to open up, but you really need to do it to get better. Also remember that if you dont like one therapist you can choose another. You can do this:)

Answer 8

Yes, it does help. What helps and makes it work is the interaction with the therapist. They bring their training and knowledge to the discussion and as you are talking, they provide insights and new ways of seeing thing, help you make connections in your thinking and behaviour and, well, talking about your problems has a therapeutic effect. Give it a go. It can help if you are committed to understanding and resolving your issues. Self help books can be good too and you can buy them too, but they are one dimensional - therapy is multi dimensional. It makes a difference in the approach of the problem. Do all you can to get yourself better, and good luck.

Answer 9

Therapy is honestly helpful if you are honest with your therapist. NO ---self-help books cannot replace therapy. They might help with information ... ask your therapist to suggest some readings as there are so many self-help junk books out there.

Answer 10

I went to therapy once but never did it again. I don't feel better after talking about my problems and complaining. But it is different, for some people it really works. And sometimes counseling is beneficial. The therapists are trained to give you the tool to understand the main cause, to overcome your fears, to cope and function better. But honestly I trust myself.