Psychology peeps...I am asking for help!

[kerridean]

This is long so bear with me.

When my DD1 was born it was a stressful birth to include: vacuum extraction, 4th degree tear, nephew dying of drug overdose on the day we came home from the hospital, cancer diagnosis of my father 2 weeks post birth, PPD, insomnia....AND severe severe COLIC. Needless to say..it was a horrible time.

The house we lived in at the time had a dog next door that barked NON STOP whenever it was out...which was very often. We got the police involved but it was never resolved. So for the entire time we lived there I had to listen to a dog bark in the background. It caused so much anxiety for me and was a contributor to my being treated with anti-depressants (along with PPD/insomnia).

Fast forward 7 years and 3 houses. Again we have a barking dog problem. It is not as bad. We have lived here a year. I have engaged the HOA, called the neighbor, etc. He is not going to change. The dog is outside 24 hours a day, no walks, no shade. But the owner is mean and nasty and is not going to change his ways with the dog.

The problem is mine to face. I have HIGH anxiety over this. I have moved my bedroom to the front (husband is deployed). I am constantly worried about when the dog is going to start barking. I will not go in my back yard because it barks at us non stop. I worry about it in the car on the way home from where ever I am. I have fans going non stop for background noise.

I am obsessed and drive my husband crazy complaining about it. My question: can I get help for this problem from a mental health professional? Would Cognitive Behavioral Therapy be of any help for me? I do not want to worry about this all day every day. The house next door to me is for sale and I am so worried that they will have a dog.

Can anyone give me any advice?

[DrSally]

I think you could *definitely* get help, and that CBT therapy for anxiety would work well.

[BabyMine]

I know you probably already tried this but how about the Humane Society? I really really hate when people keep a dog outside 24/7 without any care and then let it bark.

What state are you in?

[daisymommy]

Former Psych. here.
Yes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would be great for something like this. You are experiencing something akin to post-tramatic stress disorder.
I am so sorry!

[1964pandora]

No good psychological advice, just wanted to say that I am also EXTREMELY sensitive to persistent barking.

Yes, I'm sure you can get someone to help support you while you deal with this barking dog, but maybe it's just the barking dog and NOT some kind of psychological issue that you have. In other words, a person can be completely normal psychologically and experience extreme distress because of something unusual in their environment, right? Perhaps you are blaming yourself unnecessarily when your reaction is actually the one most "normal" people would have? I get what other people are saying-- the stress in your environment may cause PTSD. Sounds right to me.

I hope you find some support to deal with this situation. It sounds like you really need a serious amount of support and understanding. For what it's worth-- I understand completely because I shared a wall with two dogs that barked persistently every single time their owner left the condo.

I would never be able to deal with a dog that barked persistently for as long as you have and I think I have a great set of coping skills.

So sorry you are going through this.

[kerridean]

Former Psych. here.
Yes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would be great for something like this. You are experiencing something akin to post-tramatic stress disorder.
I am so sorry!

Yes, I really think it is similar to PTSD. When I hear barking, I go straight back to those horrible days. I cannot get rid of the association. I need to find a way to cope until we have enough money to live somewhere with land and space. The houses in my neighborhood are on top on one another and I have no control over my environment.

I am so happy to hear you think there is hope in CBT. I am going to call my doctor.

Thank you!!!

[Tondi G]

I hope the CBT will help you. I was basically diagnosed with PTSD when I had anxiety/panic attacks after DS2 was born.

I would keep calling about the barking dog situation(animal control/humane society). Poor Dog. You shouldn't have to listen to the dog barking endlessly. Good Luck

[DietCokeLover]

I'm a therapist. You can definitely get some relief from therapy and particularly from CBT. I hope you are able to find someone to help you.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with that. That would drive me completely crazy!

[Katigre]

In addition to CBT, I would recommend looking into EMDR therapy as that is highly successful with PTSD.

[Uno-Mom]

Another vote for CBT. And I bet you will find it helpful for way more than the dog problem. I teach some of those tools to my clients and also received the therapy myself for insomnia. But I find the skills apply to way more than my original problem.