Do you think that money helps in your recovery??

[venusbluejeans]

Ok so I was reading on another thread about someone saying that what chance do they have recovering from anxiety/panic IF celebrities with lots of money can't recover.

I thought about it and then came up with my opinion.....

Mental Illness has nothing to do with how much money you have, yes they would be able to pay for "top psychiatrists" etc BUT recovery from a mental illness is very much a personal thing.......Even with the top help, if you do not embrace the help or use that help properly then you will not fully recover.

there are plenty of free CBT courses etc available to everyone that are just as likely to help someone recover fully than anyone paying lots of money for things.

It is different to having a physical illness and having a lot of money ie.... you may get access to different scans or different a medication that may help you better.....but as I said Mental illness is how the particular person deals with it rather than how much money and how much money they have.

anyone have a different opinion? (please do not mention specific anx/panic "cures" if you reply)

[nomorepanic]

I was very lucky to get 12 CBT sessions paid for privately through a company private health scheme.

If I was to pay it would have cost £95 a session - money I did not have!

So yes money does help because the wait on the NHS was 6-9 months!

However, just because I had these it does not mean I was cured because of it. I had to put the hard work in to recover so no amount of money would have done that to be honest.

[venusbluejeans]

There is also the free CBT schemes now, like CBT4Panic....so I was just wondering if there is much difference between the paid for and private CBT.....Can you get the same out of both of them sort of thing if you put the effort it?

I do not have any experience with CBT, so that is why I am asking.

[cheshirecatqee]

Money would definitely help. I have to wait 5-6 weeks just for an assessment then prob another long wait for any kind of therapy. If I had the money then i would be getting help now

[nomorepanic]

It depends how self disciplined you are Emmz.

If you can use Robin's programme (CBT4PANIC) to the full extent then you will gain a lot from it but at the same time you may be one of those people that likes face-to-face contact with a "real" person.

[venusbluejeans]

yeah I suppose you may be one of the people who can push yourself and follow things OR you could be a person the likes/needs someone to help you and push you on

[steveo]

I totally believe that if I had alot of money, I would recover quicker.

I would book myself into the Priory (which is about £1000 a night) and stay there for a month.

I would go and see the top psychiatrists from around the world, I'd book myself a beach house in the Maldives to recover, I would have the money to have the BEST diet available by eating all the best foods. I would also pay privately for lots of tests just to put my mind further at ease.

Instead, I'm lying in bed in my dads grotty council house in a small poor town in Cornwall, with no job, no sick pay as I'm self employed, waiting for my one 45min CBT session every week (maximum of 6), I've just been dumped so now wondering what to do with my life as my plan was to live with her this year, now I have no money to get a place of my own when I am better, I have bills and debts mounting which is adding to my stress, my dad doesn't have alot of money so I have to eat a very poor diet which lacks alot of nutrients.

I'm not saying I could ever cure myself of depression or panic disorder but I would go a long way to get some sort of happiness in my life if I had money.

You mention celebrities who can't recover. No one can really ever 'recover'. Plus, celebrities are constantly in the public eye. They have more stresses and strains than we would ever begin to understand. I can walk down to my local shop and feel comfortable that no one would even blink an eye in my direction. If I was famous, that would be a very different story. Plus, you are always under public scrutiny. You can't have a private life. No matter what famous person you are, someone somewhere will be writing or saying horrible things about you for the world to see.

I think being a celebrity is a very poor example. I would rather be rotting away in my dads council house with no money, than a celebrity with lots of money.

Being rich and not being famous though, I do truely believe that I would recover alot quicker.

During my nursing degree I studied socio-economic links between health. Poorer people die younger, are more likely to get diseases and more prone to mental health disorders.

[Clint70]

Well financial worries are another added pressure to someone who is already suffering from anxiety, so money does help in that aspect.
I do believe that recovery is down to the person in the main there is no magic pill to take or person who can miraculously cure you, its patience, perseverance and importantly understanding what is going on with your body and mind and trying to get it all in perspective in your moments of clarity.

[venusbluejeans]

I can see everyone's point of view on here which is why I asked really, wanted to know people opinions etc.

I can really see the point that if I was living in a better place eating a different diet etc then it may help you, maybe in a psychological way as well that if your personal circumstances are different then you will feel better and maybe able to cope better etc.

as Nic said I think if you are self disiplined etc you would be more likely to follow a free CBT course properly and help yourself that way than waiting for a NHS CBT.... and both are just as useful IF you put the right amount of work into following them.

In my case, I do not have much money at all BUT in most ways I feel 'recovered' from Panic disorder..... I don't think I will ever be cured though as I do not think you can be.

[steveo]

Alot of us talk about how recovery is down to the individual. I don't fully agree with this though.

That makes panic disorder and generalised anxiety sound like something we brought on ourselves and something we are all being too scared to just get over.

The entire anxiety spectrum including depression is a deeply rooted neurobiological disorder with some cognitive misinterpretations.

It's as real as a broken leg or back, or any other disease that can be seen with the naked eye.

That's why nearly ALL of us on this website are gobbling up medication each and every day and have done for years.

I have all the same worries and problems as most people in this country, yet I'm deeply depressed, I see no value in life, I am scared of my own shadow, I feel pyshically unwell when I leave the house, I have HUGE difficulties sleeping at night, when I do I dream very vividly ALL night. I know what''s going on with my body down to the cellular level thanks to my medical training at university and my life long condition of panic disorder, GAD and depression. Knowing that my amygdala has persieved a situation as a threat and has contacted my adrenal glands to pump adrenalin around my body and cause this very real symptoms, doesn't make me feel any better. It's still very real.

So yes, money can and will get this condition sorted out quicker than what the NHS and a book is going to do for us.

[ricardo]

I just had to comment on this thread as there is no question that money gets you seen quicker but at the end of the day it is up to the individual ,guided sometimes by medication (that only masks the problem) to try and get a semblence of quality of life with an ultimate aim of a full recovery.

steveo, I can identify with many things you have said. I was brought up in acouncil house adopted by loving parents, made quite a bit of money, married a lady who was a celebrity in her time, lived in Marbella(which is no great shakes) was admitted to The Priory years beforehand which was the most awful experience of my life which i rather would not go into,had the best years of my life when I was completely medication free some 8 years ago, but the beast always returns.

The word depression is used to frequently for my liking when one is talking about celebrities who just have a blip in their lives and it sells newspapers.

I know a few people on here who are doing various CBT courses and say they are being helped enormously but they are still housebound,but I don't know the rough time it should take on average for a feeling of recovery,though I fully accept that one must set aside the time on a daily basis to help oneself.
I am still not convinced that many anti depressants that are prescribed will always help, more a bit of trial and error, but fully accept that many many people can lead a more normal life by popping a pill on a daily basis.
In truth having had this monster bare down on me for thirty years I am a a little sceptic but now back in the UK with an understanding GP I will not give up.

Of course this a purely personal opinion

[venusbluejeans]

I don't think any of us on here would say that it isn't a real condition.

Even with the broken leg etc your recovery still has to be down to the individual.... yes the drs will give you a plaster cast (medication for anx) which will 'fix' the problem of the broken bone..... but to fully recover you have to be motivated personally to do the physio and the excercises (cbt/therapy for anx)for you to recover more fully.

but everyone IS different and I do totally see your opinion on things too Steveo

[arfasc]

I do have more money that the previous crisis.
I have a good job and less pressure about financial problems (but I am not rich).
That is good.
But it doesn't give happyness.
Then ok, many many money, maybe, but I am not sure..

It sounds crazy but sometimes I need the pressure ok: I have to go to work.
Or I could became lazy, just cyring on myself and complain.
Going to work is a way to react.
For me..

[Edie]

I think that to a point, money han help you recover.

Money worries will cause stress and add to any existing mental health problems.

On the NHS you can face long waits or a restricted amount of sessions. Money can overcome this issue by paying for an extended course of private treatment.

But I don't think that being rich would help your mental health any more than being comfortable. If you have a comfortable home, then I don't see how having extra space would make you happier.

Being well off could help you afford to take extended breaks during severe bouts of mental illness, which could help you recover quicker.

Being famous is a rather different issue, but it would come with its own stresses. I don't think being famous would be an easy thing to handle with mental health problems. It's not easy to take breaks without being seen as unreliable, and the lack of privacy could be hard to deal with.

[Rennie1989]

Depends what you would use the money for. I suppose it would eliminate financial worries (i.e. paying off debts and mortages) BUT it won't cure your anxiety.

Money would help you to afford healthier food, pay for hobbies and interests, gym memberships, the things that would make our emotional and physical health better. I would love to be able to afford breakfast yoghurt, more variety of fruits, better quality meat and nuts because, as someone who struggles putting on and maintaining a health weight, needs that type of food to be healthy. Minimum wage can only afford, for example, apples and pears every week, that's the most variety of fruit I can have.

Although I agree that money would make life easier there is a sense of satisfaction that I can live in Surrey on minimum wage + London weighting without struggling too much AND pay for a wedding. Fortunately novel writing and knitting are cheap hobbies!

I was talking to a member of staff at work who has been to group CBT therapies. Unfortunately, the people in the group were middle class housewives who's main worries were more social, i.e. about friends and dinner parties. It just shows that mental health is not discriminate on how much or little money you have. If I had all the money I could ever want tomorrow my worries would only move onto something else, instead of worrying about whether I can afford food I would worry about whether my mole is cancer or something else. As I said, money will not cure anxiety, if it does then that person does not suffer from anxiety.

[Pipkin]

Interesting debate you've started Emmz.

My take on this is that, ultimately, we are all responsible for our own recovery and that's a really hard journey that no amount of money can help us avoid. If you're so anxious that you can't even get out of bed, let alone the house, the best psychiatrist in the world can't do it for us - that takes sheer determination and strength. A month in the Priory may do the trick but it's nothing we can't achieve by other means.

That's not to imply that we willingly cause our own illness or that it's any less valid than physical illness. As a life-long sufferer, I don't subscribe to that theory one bit. At the same time, I firmly believe that the answer lies within. Whether I'll ever work out that answer is another matter. At the minute, 2 + 2 is adding up to 3.9
- close but still not right.

I do agree though that money can help to make some things easier and not having money worries is one less thing to get anxious about. However, there are a thousand other things waiting to take the number one slot in the anxiety top 40. I've been a poor student living off baked beans and value tuna, and now I'm relatively well off. My anxiety doesn't seem to know the difference.

Pip

[Lissa101]

Money is a major factor for me. I need an income so that I can visit my mum who had a brain bleed last summer and is in very poor health. She lives at the other end of the country (18 hour round trip on train and v expensive). My boyf suffers with bipolar and he's doing well now but there were times in the past when I left the house and I didn't know if he'd still be alive when I got back. His mental health care was appalling. I also need money to pay off my debts, pay the bills and feed my pets. There is no way I could take time off to recover as no money means my mum would have no-one to care for her and my debts would take me into bankruptcy (these were accumulated many years ago when I was an idiot youth). Benefits just wouldn't be enough.

I'm a postgrad student, salaried at 15k per year. Right now every day is a struggle but I can't take the time off I need because I have to have this income. Having money would mean:

1. Having proper medical care for myself, boyfriend and my mum and a MASSIVE reduction in stress for me.
2. Time to recover without the pressure of going back to work/uni.

For me, personally, money matters a HELL of a lot! I'm just glad I don't have kids to worry about to.

x

[mikewales]

I think a lack of money can add to your anxiety, if you are worrying about how to pay the bills etc.. it doesn't help. But... having enough money doesn't mean you will be happier, or get better any quickly. I paid for a private therapist, and they were very good, but one of the main things I got from it is that you do have to work hard yourself to get over things and not just give in and expect someone to wave a magic wand.

Some people can also get into the trap where they think they can't get better because they don't have certain things in life, be it money, a partner, social life, friends etc.. which I don't agree with completely as it is all about you, and having those things may help and distract you, but not sort out the root cause of the problem.

Also as far as treatment goes, most of the therapists out there are the same ones you get to see on the NHS, you just get to see them quicker if you pay for it yourself, and can have more sessions. The drugs you can get are exactly the same regardless of if you get a free prescription or pay for one privately, so it doesn't have a great bearing on that.

[Kells81]

This is a great debate.

I play the lottery and I often wonder what would happen in my life if I won. I would love to buy a big house and nice car with the money (as well as treating my family!), but I have agoraphobia and can hardly leave my parents house.
I don't think I would be able to even get to my new new big house and I certainly wouldn't be able to drive my flashy new car very far! I would enjoy spending the money but I don't think having it would mean I would be able to do the things I can't do now.
I'm not sure what the most expensive therapists in the world could do differently than the nhs ones I have already had have done.

I had to wait 9 months for my CBT on the nhs though and during that time I did get worse so maybe having the money to have access to therapy sooner may have helped but I certainly don't think it would find a miracle cure.

Having lots of money would also enable me to avoid things easier which would make my anxiety worse. You could pay other people to do almost everything for you which may bring some relief in the short term but won't help long term recovery.

[blue moon]

NO....God helps those who help themselves,having money makes no difference at all,maybe those with money may do more to help the needy.
Petra

[nomorepanic]

I (personally) don't think religion and god come into this one to be honest. We are all in control of our own destiny.

[Clint70]

Please lets not get off topic and turn this into a religious debate, some dont believe in anything, some do and find the spiritual side of there life a great help in dealing with anxieties and the rest. Persnal choice for all nuff said!
From the majority of answers it seems the main difference money would make is faster access to treatment, but anxiety and depression dont discriminate rich or poor, black or white, it will affect all.
I'm siting here typing this looking at the screen with floaters in front of my eyes and a slight headache, why? I have no idea no major problems in life a bereavement 6 months ago may be the reason for the reoccurrence of my anxiety but it could have no bearing at all. I dont feel unhappy maybe slightly irritated by my ongoing symptons, thankfully money isnt a problem ive never defined myself through my belongings thankfully, i am fortunate to be able to eat whatever i choose, have more disposable income then any of my friends.
Yet here I sit with anxiety, so in summing up im comfortable live in a nice house have a great partner lovely kid, and its made no difference even if you multiplied my assets by 100 i would still have woke up a month ago with anxiety, thats why i think money isnt overly important TO ME in this condition.

[AuntieMoosie]

Very thought provoking thread Emmz :)

I'm sorry but I really don't believe that having heaps of money would make much difference to people who suffer with depression and anxiety of any sort, other than, as has already been said, access to therapies and specialists a little quicker :)

Okay if you're having great debt problems then that will, of course, impact on your health in a number of ways and will add to your stress load which will likely make your condition worse or bring it on, but, having said that, there are many other things that can do that too, so it's not just a money thing :)

You only have to look back in time, when things were much harder and people had less money, less material possessions, less heath care and poorer living conditions, to see that somehow they managed to cope and pull through :)

This is only my opinion, but I think our conditions have everything to do with support. Even though life was tougher back then, people coped and they coped because they were usually very tight knit families back then, you knew your neighbours very well and you had plenty of friends :)

We have never pulled together so much as we did during World War 2. Imagine the things those poor people had to live through, loosing loved ones, getting your houses bombed, lack of money, lack of food, lack of jobs and all the rest.

But, somehow most of these people pulled through. Remember too, that back then there wasn't the medication or therapies that we have freely available now.

I asked my psychiatrist once how they used to treat people years ago without the medication we have now, and he told me they would stick you in hospital and just heavily sedate you until you came out of it, that was all that could be done then.

I think over the years, we've lost some most vital life support systems.

Families are now spread far and wide so the support has gone from there. You are very lucky now if you can name just 2 people who live in your street, do you know them ? Do they suffer from any illnesses ? are they lonely ? Well let's be honest, most of us don't have a clue.

People's outlook on life has changed completely. Sadly I believe we're becoming more and more materialistic, it's all to do with what we've got ect.

But the most important thing that we're missing is support. Humans are pack animals, we need to belong and we need support, now years ago this was fine, because we lived in a way that we could get that support :)

Sadly now, we don't. So a lot of the time we're left trying to manage our conditions on our own, apart from the medication and the odd doctors visit.

Now I don't really blame the NHS, although big mistakes do get made. But there just aren't the resources to be able to cope with every body's needs. Mental Health services are stretched to the absolute limit and they can only do what they are able to do.

Remember though that the NHS was never designed to give this sort of help and support, it didn't need to when it first started because that was done by families, friends, the Churches and many more organisations :)

So to get back to Emmz topic, I really can't see how money would make that much difference, it may make life easier and more comfortable, but it isn't going to cure you, look at the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, they were multi million heirs, yet they all suffered dreadfully with depression and anxiety.

Great topic Emmz :hugs:

[HoneyLove]

Interesting thread Emmz, and lots of different opinions to think about!

Personally I don't believe that having more money will mean faster or better success.

I firmly believe that the fundamentals of recovering from anxiety are lifestyle change, daily stress management and examining how our reactions and thoughts can create our fears. It's hard personal work, and no matter how expensive the therapy the result will be the same if you don't put the work in.

Most of the things I'm implementing in my life right now are done either for free or for as cheaply as possible because I don't have much money.

I've learned lots by reading online or borrowing books from the library. I've researched and implemented stress management techniques online, from Youtube videos and books. I have had counselling and CBT, but I keep the sessions spread out so that they are affordable and I just got in touch with a charity that does counselling at a reduced rate. I've used books and journalling to explore my own fears and issues, to work through my problems.

A good diet for anxiety is not expensive.

Exercise is not expensive (walking & running are free, I learned some very simple yoga from Youtube, exercise DVDs are pretty cheap on Amazon).

Meditation is free (again, I learned from books & Youtube, and it's one of the top things you can do for stress management).

A difficulty arises when you have a health problem that induces anxiety, because obviously that can be expensive. But learning mindfulness to manage your illness doesn't have to be expensive. One of the best books I've read is Self Help For The Nerves by Claire Weekes and I'm now reading Mindfulness for Life by Craig Hassed - both of these are helping me deal with a health problem that can cause a lot of anxiety. You can also learn about mindfulness online or on Youtube.

I've been in the place where I was so frustrated I had no money and couldn't pay for the therapies I thought I needed, but eventually I learned that having more money wouldn't have made any difference. Sure I could have gone for more therapy, paid for holidays or retreats, had better medical care. But ultimately I had to learn to live and survive with what I had, and I learned that most of the work was down to me learning to take care of myself properly and manage the anxiety properly and not finding a way to have more money.

If we tell ourselves that we need more money to get better, we're just giving ourselves another block to clamber over on the road to recovery. There's plenty we can do for free or inexpensively, we just have to be willing to put the work in.