There are many forms of anxiety treatment available and people have their own particular story to tell regarding their own experiences. At BeOnForm, we cross paths with hundreds of people who suffer the effects of anxiety, panic and agoraphobia in the course of conducting anxiety treatment and as we work with people, patterns emerge that cast light on the way anxiety based illnesses are treated, not just in Europe, but worldwide.

Most people suffering anxiety initially put up with it, suffering quietly, just sharing their predicament with a loved one or very close friend. But eventually they seek the advice of their Doctor and ask him for some sort of anxiety treatment. The usual response at this stage, from what our clients tell us is that the Doctor prescribes a low dosage of one of the many medications available. The most popular of which are:

Tri-cyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as Buspirone
SSRIs, such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil
Anti-anxiety agents, such as Ativan and Klonopin

Most people say that they feel no effect or even feel worse initially and that if the medication is going to help them it normally takes a few weeks to become obvious. Many people are happy to carry on their life, as they describe to us “existing” rather than “living” for years, before they return to the surgery to request something more powerful, an anxiety treatment that is a “treatment” rather than drugs.

Some Doctors at this point will prescribe Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but most refer the patient for counselling. Over and over, we have been told that whilst this has helped, it hasn’t been enough and the anxiety is still there. If they are lucky, they are then offered CBT, which has a far higher success rate than medication or counselling, but still leaves room for improvement!

It’s normally at this point, when nothing else works, that people come to us for anxiety treatment. That is understandable of course, because everyone seeks the free solution first, that’s human nature, however they all say the same thing after their anxiety treatment has been completed, “I wish I had done this before.” The cost of private therapy is nothing compared to the cost if you don’t use it. Some people say, “I can’t afford it,” but the truth is they can’t afford not to! We only walk this path once, and every day lost to anxiety, is a day that can’t be replaced! Hopefully, one day modern therapy methods will be publicly available, but in the meantime private healthcare is the answer.