I've been debating for a long time whether to see a therapist. Yesterday, panic hit me, followed by…

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I've been debating for a long time whether to see a therapist. Yesterday, panic hit me, followed by anxiety that wouldn't let up, and I realized—it was time. I Googled it, read reviews, picked one, sent a message, and booked an appointment. The session started. I sat there hoping to finally vent, to tell him about my problems, and then have him tell me what to do. But nothing happened like that. He asked what brought me here, and I laid everything out. Then he started setting up scenarios, asking why things were this way and not another. Next, he assigned exercises: first, staring at an object for two minutes, then relaxing muscles with closed eyes for five minutes following his guidance—face, neck, and so on. I also clenched my fists. In the end, I understood absolutely nothing. He explained that our psychological tension is linked to the body; muscles are tight. By the way, he's also a massage specialist. I was terrified I'd just be wasting money. Maybe I'm wrong? Maybe therapy works exactly like this? But I don't want to continue working with him. Does anyone have experience with this? Please share if you know. I'm curious.
My grandfather's older sister passed away at 89. She lived about 100 km away from us. My grandfather…
Comments
Kristina
I like your therapist.
Try doing what she said for a week.
And Google can help – look up information about her methods.
Also, in my circle, everyone treats panic attacks (that's what you're talking about, right?) with medication.
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Tatyana
Kristina He's a man, yes, about them
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Tatyana
I wanted something a little different
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Tatyana
I was hoping the specialist would listen to me, guide me through specific issues, and offer some recommendations. They could have at least said, 'This isn't my area of expertise, you need to see so-and-so specialist.'
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Marina
You are his source of money, is he stupid or what? That's ridiculous. You're so naive. I wouldn't say that either. You have a medical diagnosis, and it's strange that with so much information and the internet available, you went to a psychologist.
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Tatyana
I'll look for a doctor
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Tatyana
The internet can be misleading, just like a fence – what's written on it might not reflect reality.
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SVETLANA
Is your psychologist's name Artem by any chance?))
It really reminded me of my first experience seeking therapy.
Just a lot of fluff, some exercises, breathing techniques – basically, everything that's freely available online.
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Tatyana
SVETLANA No, Sergey
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Suhareva Olga
Partly, he's right.
Here's how it works:
Stress — the body tenses up. Stress.
A vicious cycle of stress.
But you have to work with your mind,
With pills or without them.
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Suhareva Olga
Suhareva Olga I'm in heaven after my massage
But alas, it won't last long
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Natali
How to tell if it's panic, and other symptoms. What is it?
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Tatyana
I went for free a few years ago. I talked it out, and it helped. But I feel like if I had just vented with a friend, the effect would have been the same 😂😂😂
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Tatyana Ruzanova
Panic attacks (if they really are panic attacks) aren't treated by a psychologist. You should see a good neurologist with experience in this area, or a psychiatrist.
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Marishka
Go to a psychotherapist for panic attacks. And yes, psychological blockages do manifest physically in the body. Massage can help release them. Keep a journal of what you feel and where you feel it in your body. You'll learn to control it. A psychologist will help you with techniques, but won't give you advice. They'll help you understand your feelings and find your own way out of your situation. I think yours isn't bad, but I don't trust online reviews.
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Tatyana Ruzanova
Natali My legs feel weak, I get disoriented, feel like I'm going to die, have heaviness in the back of my head, general weakness, and ringing in my ears.

My son experiences something close to panic attacks – hyperventilation syndrome. He feels weak, his legs feel like cotton, he feels like he's breathing in but not getting any air, and he has tremors in his hands and legs.
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Natali
Natali Oh, that sounds scary. Thanks for explaining. I often see discussions about this here. But not everyone writes what exactly it is.
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Tatyana Ruzanova
Natali And it's really scary. But I understand very well what's happening. I just can't cope. So only medication helps. Well, and trying to avoid situations that trigger a panic attack.
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Tatyana Ruzanova
I described above what's happening.
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Guzel Hasanova
These are the techniques he recommended, but you need to understand that finding the right psychologist can sometimes be a journey. There are many different approaches in psychology, at least 7. You might have found a body-oriented therapist, but perhaps you were looking for a different approach. You can watch videos online to learn about the different types. Based on your description, there's nothing alarming about the psychologist; everything seems adequate.
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