CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy).

CBT is very successful for anxiety ( I am trained in it) on an individual level as the therapist used techniques to challenge your thinking around the anxiety and techniques like distraction and controlled breathing to help with any panic.

I have not been involved with groups but understand they are also helpful especially because it is reassuring to meet people with the same concerns as yourself and support each other.

If you want to follow some techniques in book form with help sheets you can photo copy a good one is “Mind over Mood” by Dennis Greenberger and Christine Padesky, Guildford Press.

There is also a helpful website called Moodgym but Zi think you have to pay s small fee to use it.

Can you tell us more about " refused to prescribe medication" please?

When you say "refused to prescribe " what do you mean? You can't suddenly stop taking an antidepressant. The side effects, both mental and physical can he horrendous. If you agree to stop the medication it needs to be carefully managed.
Don't be afraid to seek a second opinion.
And I'm certainly not saying don't do CBT by the way.

Often a combination of CBT and medication is suggested. I’m another concerned if long term anti depressant medication has been stopped suddenly.

Group CBT can indeed be helpful. It isn’t for everyone but it is a starting point and it does help to understand that you aren’t alone.

I agree with twice that Mind over Mood is a good, accessible starting point. Your local library may carry a range of what used to be called books on prescription. Usually no prescription as such is needed now and it’s worth asking a staff member if they have a section on CBT self help. Moodgym carries an annual fee now, £23 I think. Living Life to the Full is another on line resource that was free to access.

If your medication has been stopped suddenly please seek a second opinion but also please do try CBT, it can help. Wishing you well.

I have had CBT both as part of a group and as a one to one with the CBT counsellor. I didn't want to take medication and I found the therapy a great help for anxiety and depression.

Thanks for your help and suggestions. Booklady I am pleased that you found it positive, I hope that I do as well.
I think I may have not been clear about the anti-depressants, I had them about 15 years ago for a fixed amount of time, cannot remember how long. I was feeling so desperate the last time I saw my current GP that I asked for the anti-depressants again, he felt that they would not be helpful and he suggested CBT. I've had a phone consultation with a mental health practitioner and she agreed that CBT would be useful, I start it in July. I am hopeful that it will work especially after reading some of your comments, I need to get this sorted.

I have often wondered about the validity of group therapy. I may be wrong, but people who are very anxious may not be able to cope with having to hear about others’ anxieties. This is what someone told me who had tried it. Can anyone explain how it works please?

Cabbie21 - I'm not the worlds biggest fan of CBT though I accept it can help some people with some situations. It isn't the cure all that the government would like it to be.

Some people will respond well to the 5 or 6 sessions recommended. Its very useful in specific difficulties such as phobias/fear of water/flying etc. My own view is its less useful with some longer term mental health problems. People often speak of anxiety and depression as though they're the same for everyone, much as a very bad cold may be.

I wouldn't be concerned so much about a person with anxiety or depression being made worse by listening to others talk about their experience of A and D. Group therapy can be effective. as with individual therapy, much depends on the skill of the therapist and the relationship built with the patient/client

I've just finished a 6 week group therapy and found it really helpful. Before going I was quite worried that I wouldn't feel comfortable talking about my own issues but, it just wasn't like that. The therapist was absolutely lovely and, as we got to know each other a bit more (8 in the group) we all opened up. It was surprising how someone would make a comment and you would think "oh I never thought of that".
At the end of the last session, the therapist spoke to us individually to see what help we still require, on a one to one basis.
Give it a go, you've got nothing to lose

I had high hopes but weekly one to one sessions were too intense for me and the therapist, nice as she was, was not receptive to my request for larger gaps between sessions and it has made things worse.

Yes, I tried this one and it helped me a lot. In general, two things that helped me are a good psychologist and just the same cognitive-behavioral therapy.

I suffered from depression for about 3 years, and only then did I begin to see positive results in my mental state. Personally, I have turned to www.counsellinginmelbourne.com.au/is-counselling-the-best-option-to-deal-with-grief-and-loss/. Simple conversations and some special psychological methods that made me calmer and happier, including CBT, helped me a lot. But remember two things, the first is that depression can last for weeks but sometimes years, and the second thing, no matter how good the psychologist is, you also have to work on yourself on your own, otherwise there will be no result.