Question:
Has anyone tried guided imagery for anxiety? I just bought a tape that
is put out by the HealthJourney's series by Belleruth Naparstek (sp?).
Anyway, it has really helped me
by using my mind to control my symptoms. Just wondering if anyone else
had the same success or found guided imagery helpful?
By the way, here's the URLs for where I got the anxiety tape (I think
it's called "For People with Stress" , though it is mostly for anxiety
not day to day stress.)
Anxiety-Panic Books & Audiotapes
http://members.aol.com/healthbook/stress/
http://members.aol.com/healthbook/audio/
Answer:
How should one find out what kinds of tapes are specifically good
for certain type of anxiety disorder? Or can it be "one size fits all"?
I have generalized anxiety disorder and am almost always keyed up
with muclse tensin, aches and rapid heart beat. I ever used a guided
imagery tape. It worked sometimes to some degree but not all the time.
It also seems it gets less effective after repeated use so
you've got used to it. Is it the case for other people?
Guided imagery is a kind of relaxation method. Other techniques worth
trying if Guided imagery doesn't fit comfortably include:
Diaphragmatic breathing methods
Progressive relaxation
Passive muscle relaxation
Autogenic relaxation
Open Focus relaxation
Those are just some of the most frequently used ones. It's important
with relaxation methods to find one which suits you best.
Unfortunately, trial and error is about the only way to find out what
works best for you.
I am not familiar with the guided imagery tapes, but I wanted to share my
experience with visualization and relaxation. At first, I found this
simply impossible, but my therapist had me practice 15 min. a day when I
was feeling relaxed. I needed to find a calm place that had multiple
sensory images--sound, sight, smell, etc. For me it's a specific beach in
Hawaii. And for me, after much practice, it has been moderately
successful! There have been times that I have felt really keyed up and
tense, my heart starts racing and I invoke the beach image. My heart rate
will immediately slow down. My anxiety level will go down somewhat,
although not all the way back to "sane" levels. Still, after
visualization, I feel I can function again. Sometimes I have to repeat
the process two or three times over the course of an anxiety episode. But
it has given me some confidence, knowing I can control things somewhat.
