Therapy for anxiety.... experience?

So Ive suffered with anxiety since I can remember. As I have gotten older it has progressed, full on panic attacks etc and I found that I isolate myself to avoid triggering situations. I recently started seeing a therapist, Ive only gone to one "session" and have an apt with the actual psycatrist (sp) next month. Im wondering, with anxiety disorders do they always put you on medication? Ive never seen a therapist before and just talking to her caused me some serious anxiety which resulted in me holding back alot of the issues I have going on  Idk its hard to explain... Im pretty sure that Im struggling with some depression as well as the anxiety issues and I fear telling them will result in them thinking that Im crazy lol. I think not knowing what they will do in terms of treatment makes me affraid to be honest with them. Can anyone enlighten me as to your experience with the course of treatment for anxiety and depression? I think that knowing what might happen in terms of treatment, may ease my mind a bit and help me to open up and deal with the issues.....

I'm seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist and I've been put on meds for being bipolar, having clinical depression and PTSD and only recently put on meds for panic attacks (long story lots of stress in my life so after not having any for 6 years they're back) anyway...I find that therapy has helped tons...the meds help too, I doubt I'd be able to deal with therapy as easily as I do now without them...and they certainly make daily life much better. I was worried about the dr's thinking that I was crazy when I first started therapy, but then found that my fears were baseless...I'm not crazy (tho dh will say i am lol) just have alot going on that I can't handle without help. I hope that therapy helps...make sure your therapist is someone you feel comfortable with, they understand if it takes a while to open up, but if your not comfortable with your therapist that's not going to help. I've been thru at least 8 therapists until I found one that I'm completely comfortable talking to. And having problems with depression won't make them think you're crazy, that's one of the reasons I first started going to therapy waaaay back when it was only about 10 years ago they finally figured out I was bipolar on top of it. Good luck mama.

you have all the say in the world about what you want to put into your body as far as medication goes. if you open up and tell them what you are going through, and even letting them know you are apprehensive about medications, they will certainly discuss with you some options and talk with you about why and whats depressing you. they wont just pump you up with crazy pills once you open your mouth, they're there to listen to YOU.   talking does wonders. try new things too. you have a big heart that loves to be open and free. and you're not crazy either, because your post didnt sound crazy at all. it was a great post and i could relate to it.

i depress myself, and sometimes i think i do it on purpose, which is crazy lol when i was 16 i was on depression meds but i didnt think i had a say in it. now that im almost 24, i realize i can, and have, overcome depression simply (yet not so simply) by accepting the changes i was going through, that everyone else around me was going through, and having a sense of humor about my problems. Looking at the big picture and laughing was a great way for me to relax a little. When i go out I do have trouble being around others comfortably unless i feel like we are already on the same page, otherwise there is that whole....uncomfortable eye shifting uneasy thing. so annoying. and thats my problem. people annoy me more than anything. people arent nice. they are competitive and judgemental and close minded. not everyone, just a good many. so i said SmUrf IT. i am who i am. if i get depressed from time to time, smurf it, ill get over it, there's a good that comes from everything no matter how hard it is. its the cycle of life. you're depressed now, you're anxious, but it will pass. accept the change and try eating healthier, and instead of coffee try green tea (FULL of antioxidants) and you know...just be you. no matter what state of mind you're in youre beautiful. who cares if anyone thinks youre crazy?  

Thanks for the input ladies  Idk its hard to talk about period let alone to a stranger ( therapist) lol I seriously feel anxious just writing about it, thats how I know its progressed to a point where I need help because that used to be my outlet or way to halfway deal. During my session I just had the worst feeling and the hugest urge to just run out the freakn door and remove myself from the situation. I left feeling totally hopeless in the whole situation because of her suggestions.She talked alot about telling myself that they are all irrational fears and worries and basically told me to tell myself otherwise. However, I can tell myself that all I want but the thought are still there and very real to me. Im not entirely against medication to be honest. After I had my first daughter I mentioned to my doctor my anxiety issues and she pretty much told me to try breathing techniques. I do have to say that is bs because when Im having and "episode" I cant breathe period let alone focus on a particluar breathing pattern lol. Ive come to the point where I feel like medication in addition to therapy might be the best option.... I just do not know how to vocalize this with them. I worry that they may wonder if Im seeking medication... if that makes sense. Iguess it goes back to these irrational thoughts that are some how real in my head lol. Idk I just have noticed that the sypmtoms Ive had my entire life are getting worse and now new symptoms are appearing as well. Im just overcome with fear about litterly everything and I dont know how to deal with it and it freaks me out even more because I cant even tell a professional about it lol. I worry that its going to follow me forever  Thanks again for the personal experience and advice and thanks Amber for the kind words your too sweet 

Quoting 000024:" Thanks for the input ladies  Idk its hard to talk about period let alone to a stranger ( therapist) ... [snip!] ... to follow me forever  Thanks again for the personal experience and advice and thanks Amber for the kind words your too sweet "

give yourself a few more sessions mama, and if you feel maybe medication might be the best for you bring it up, make sure you let them know the other things you've tried haven't worked, they usually understand. I took a 2 year break from therapy, and when I went back the first thing I said was I NEEDED to be back on my meds because I couldn't function as a human without them...that's how I knew I needed to go back, when I can see how bad I've gotten off my meds it's time to seek some help. I hope things go well with you mama, I'm glad you're seeking help for yourself, I hope it helps you