For the past decade I have suffered from anxiety and depression. I mostly deal with it through antidepressants and anxiolytic (as needed), but this time, the episode was so bad, I could not function without Xanax and could not deal with Paxil taking so long to kick-in. I went into therapy because I felt so bad I wanted to try anything to alleviate my feelings, but to be honest I was a little skeptic. I am glad I went to therapy and specifically with Franka. I really opened up and told her things I have never told anyone before. This was great because it meant I had a great connection with the therapist. She gave me some reading material and guided me through difference mind exercises to identify and control my thought process that usually cause feelings on depression or anxiety. I continue to use Paxil, but I have been Xanax free for almost a month and I have noticed that my thought process has changed. I can now recognize negative thoughts before they affect how I feel.