Question:
My wife has recently seen on TV a program called Attacking Anxiety &
Depression which appears to be a self help education program developed by a
company calling itself the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety. This
program consist of some sixteen tapes and a work book. It cost $379.89. We
would like to here from anyone and everyone who knows about this program.
Is it a rip-off or is it a good product?
Answer:
In general "programs" are not very effective for depression because
they are quick fixes that don't last. A combination of psychotherapy
and medication is the best for depression. Unless the anxiety is
distinct from the depression, mostly what I see is agitated depression
(depression driven by chronic anxiety). Again the combo works best.
There's no need to travel to a program. There's plenty of help in your
own town. however, this particular "program" has had many successes. i've talked
to people who've used it and found it highly effective, and it seems
to be built on the same ideas that my treatment was built on. an
at-home course requires a high degree of self-discipline, however. it's based on cognitive behavioral principles -- the user works
through anxiety through systematic desensitization, and by changing
behaviors changes thought patterns. this results in long-term
recovery. i've been okay for a couple of decades now, after a few
years of being severely constricted by panic -- at the worst of it, my
"safe zone" was a single room, and even that was beginning to erode. i also had depressive episodes -- major depression runs in the family
-- but found that i was able to reduce them and cope with what
depression remained through cognitive behavioral strategies. talking therapies weren't useful for me -- though they may work well
for others. instead, we worked on _doing._ my therapist would remind
me, when i got caught up in talking about causes, that my "real
problem was that i wasn't leaving the house." he was profoundly
pragmatic, and worked on the basic idea that changing behaviors
changes thoughts, not the other way around. my understanding of the "attacking anxiety" program is that does this,
as well. this particular program has been discussed several times on websites and others -- a internet search for previous discussions
about the "attacking anxiety" program would be useful: try
http://groups.google.com/ if you decide to give it might work for you, check some of the online
auctions/classifieds for a used copy -- might save some money. hello yes i bought attacking anxiety and depression. the sad thing is my
anxiey is so high i'm to anxious to start. i really think if i could
calm down and take the time it would help me understand the program.
also the money part bothered me also. but you do get a better deal if
you pay all at once not with payments. sorry i don't have much info for
you.
