I believe & feel that we are all different...

Anxiety, Panic and/or Phobia sufferers, How do you feel about "Exposure Therapy" & the claims that it "cures all"?

I understand why it may work for SOME, however, I always find it extremely annoying when "exposure therapy" is pushed so much & talked about like it works for everyone with anxiety & panic and/or phobias.

I've suffered with extreme anxiety & panic for at least 14 years now & as you can probably imagine, I have been to more than several different therapists & different types of therapists, plus I've tried several different therapy's/treatments, etc....

Something that is almost always pushed on me is "exposure therapy". "You have anxiety about driving? Then you need to drive more!", "You make yourself physically sick over having to go to a crowded event? Then you must go!" Etc.. etc...

I am so sick(pun intended) of people pushing this kind of therapy & comments like the above down my throat.

In fact I've heard it so much that the mere thought of it or mention of it pisses me off greatly. I've tried calmly explaining how stuff like that just makes me feel sicker & why I don't think it works for me & I get looked at oddly or get stupid comments in disbelief, as if there is no way that it couldn't work for me. I am so fed up with it!

I believe & feel that we are all different & things work or don't work for all of us in different ways, there is no one cure all for everyone & anyone. Every person should be looked at as an individual & their treatment should be based off what works & doesn't work for that individual. No-one should be frowned upon or made to feel like they are being called a liar because treatments that may help some people, does not work for them.

Wow! Quick question turned into rant/venting session. I guess I should be nice to you all & end now. =-)

Comments: 11

Amy S. Sep 28, 2007, 7:47pm EDT

everyone needs to vent sometimes!

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Sharon R. Sep 28, 2007, 10:05pm EDT

We all need to vent sometimes.
And I totally agree with you - what works for one, may not work for another.
What drug works wonderfully for one, makes another violently sick.
I find that if I tell my therapist right up front what has been tried and didn't work... it is much easier to move on to new ideas.
I read a lot and do a lot of research into my own disorders - I can then go to my therapist and ask questions and get his opinions. We have tried some new things.
Some have worked and some haven't - but at least he is open to discussion.
If your therapist isn't working 'with' you - then you need to try a different one. You are the only one that knows what your body is telling you - but you have to share that with the therapist. If he doesn't want to listen = he is not the right one.
Some times it takes years to find the right one - but the search is worth it!!!

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Marilyn M. Sep 28, 2007, 11:09pm EDT

Until I developed a chronic condition (fibromyalgia) I didn't realize how true your statement was - that everything does not work for everyone.

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Ron B. Sep 29, 2007, 12:44am EDT

You are absolutely right. Exposure therapy can be beneficial to some or make things worse for others. I had an internal sense of nervousness, anxiety and panic for many years and self-medicated the symptoms with assorted chemicals. After my son reached puberty and experienced some of the same, I discovered that he had an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine. The problem turned out to be ADD, which I would have never guessed in a million years and after researching it, I also discovered where he got it. Meds abruptly ended the symptoms.

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Robb F. Sep 29, 2007, 12:49am EDT

"Cure All" The words bring to mind the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true..it probably is." And those two words definitely sound much too good to be true.

I will also add that things that worked for an indivdual for a length of time may stop working.........

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Heidianna "Coriander" T. Sep 29, 2007, 3:58pm EDT

I do agree - every person is different. I think it might depend on the stress of the "thing" too... For example exposure might help you give over your fear of napkins (if you were afraid of them), but fear of jumping off a bridge might have a life or death ramification versus napkins which don't. (Or at least don't seem to) I'm rambling. In short, I agree with you.

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Denise B. Sep 29, 2007, 4:21pm EDT

you are right, one thing does not work the same on everyone, I hope you find the right help you need.

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Nancy O. Sep 29, 2007, 5:04pm EDT

I have never heard of exposure therapy. I suppose the theory is based on sucess for most of the people who have tried it but there is always a percent that something won't work for some of the population. It is just the law of averages. Not everything works for everyone you are so right!!!!! Thanks for the insight and the rant!!!!

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