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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

answered 06:50 AM EST, Wed June 05, 2013

anonymous

I am terrified that of the idea of intruders and violent attacks. For no reason at all. When I try to go to sleep I flash on images all the time of someone sneaking in and hurting me in all sorts of horrible ways. These images won’t go away unless I get out of bed and check to make sure everything is OK. Sometimes I have to do this many times before I can fall asleep. I did not used to have this problem so what can I do to make it stop? Do you think I should get a dog or will that not work?

Rebecca Ashton Says...

R. Ashton

FdSc, MBACP

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Thank you for your question. It sounds as though you are suffering from anxiety and/or a phobia. While owning a dog might be a comfort to you, I feel that getting one in this instance would be like a 'sticking plaster' and not address the underlying issues that are causing these feelings and behaviours. I think that cognitive behavioural therapy could be helpful to you.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a talking therapy that can help you to change the way you think and behave and it is particularly useful in tackling things like anxiety, phobias and post traumatic stress disorder to name but a few.

There are also plenty of videos and resources online about this kind of therapy. Good luck.

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2013