Cleaning out the trunk of my car yesterday, I came across a stack of cassette tapes from a period in my life when I was so desperate I’d spend stupid sums of money on anything to remove my fear and anxiety.
These tapes were part of a program that cost me some $450. Each tape, sold by the Midwest Center for Stress & Anxiety, is designed to help people learn the skills to defeat anxiety and depression without medication.
I ordered the so-called free trial in 2006 after seeing all the late-night TV infomercials with Lucinda Bassett, mastermind of the program. I worked the program diligently. But overall, the program wasn’t even close to what I needed.
I called the Midwest Center before the free trial period was up to tell them I’d be sending the tapes and DVDs back. No go, an impatient phone rep told me. They had already charged the card number I gave them. No refund.
Meanwhile, I received a package of vitamins in the mail with ingredients designed to reduce stress and balance the brain chemistry. At first it struck me as odd, since the concept on paper was a lot like other pills the center typically railed against. They weren’t anti-depressant-caliber pills like Prozac. They were just vitamins. I saw them for what they were: an expensive placebo.
I never asked for the vitamins. Yet there they were, and they were charging me extra for something I didn’t order or want.
The phone reps basically told me too bad, they had already charged my card and there were no refunds. I should have read the fine print.
So, the program to attack anxiety and depression simply made those things rage within me even worse than before.
At some point, I dumped the tapes in a box in my trunk, forgot about them and moved on. I found more lasting tools to manage my OCD and the resulting fear, anxiety and depression, and that was the end of it.
When I found the tapes, I chucked them in the trash along with the rest of the rubbish I was clearing out of the car.
When I came back inside, I found myself looking up articles about the Midwest Center and found some surprising items.
First, I found obituaries for Lucinda Bassett’s husband, David Bassett, co-principal of the self-help empire. The various reports were that he committed suicide in June 2008. Having lived through the horror of loved ones committing suicide, I’m reluctant to say anything bad here. I feel badly for Lucinda Bassett. To lose someone you love that way is one of the worst things you could ever go through.
Still, I couldn’t help but find it sadly, painfully ironic that THIS GUY would end his own life.
Here’s something I found that was written shortly after Bassett’s death. The author is STEVE SALERNO, author/essayist, musician, teacher, and blogger. (Check out his SHAMblog) He wrote:
This past June 7 (2008), 53-year-old David Bassett walked onto a California beach and ended his life with a shotgun. This took place not far from the home he shared with his wife, Lucinda. If the names sound vaguely familiar, it’s because David and Lucinda Bassett were principals in the Midwest Center for Stress & Anxiety.Not a few of those who left their thoughts were refugees from the Center’s in-house discussion forum, where their critical remarks had been expunged or edited; a few claimed to have been banned altogether. Collectively, they seemed to feel they’d been abused, if not conned. The gist was that the Center had used misleading claims and credentials to charge them a lot of money for programs that didn’t work (or at least hadn’t worked for them). To be fair, a number of Center apologists also weighed in, and for a while we had a spirited, thought-provoking give-and-take going.A prospective customer might reasonably ask: If the Center’s programs can’t even prevent one of the Center’s owners from killing himself…?
I also found a site known as the Complaint Board, where a fellow by the name of Alfred logged his complaints about the Bassett empire:
Lucinda and David Bassett flood late night infomercial TV with their overpriced Attacking Anxiety and Depression schlock program. They advertise a ’30-day risk free trial’ for just $9.95, the so called ‘shipping/Handling charge’ (inflated as any typical infomercial ripoff), the hook being that the S/H charge is all you pay for the 30 day ‘trial period’.Then when you aren’t magically cured by this collection of cassette tape in 30 days, send it back with no obligation to pay the $75.00 a month that they bill your credit card for the next 6-7 months. Do not believe this CRAP for a minute. They start ripping you off immediately with the inflated shipping charge and then start removing your money 30 days from the ORDER DATE which typically is 10-14 days BEFORE the 30 day trial period STARTS. By the time the ’30 day trial’ is over they have already taken the first FULL payment of $75.00 (+ tax) by 2 WEEKS, even when you decide you don’t want to buy this craprogram. One of Lucy’s top-secret cures is to ‘Drink 8 glasses of water everyday’ and ‘quit smoking and drinking’ DUH!! Gee for such wisdom it only costs 450 bucks! If these amateur Pyschobees had a grain of credibility would they operate so Don Lapre-like? It will take weeks to get your refund (if ever) A wiser approach would be to work for the Bassett’s. Then you can buy the ‘program’ for $20 and save yourself $425 just 90% off the ripoff price they charge everyone else.
That sounded a lot like my experiences with the program.
To be fair, this program probably has worked for people. I’ve seen plenty of positive reviews over the years. It’s just that there is no one size fits all. What works for one won’t work for another. It’s the same with medication. What worked for me won’t necessarily work for the next guy or gal.
There’s always that roll of the dice.
I just don’t think it should cost someone $450 to handle the dice.
Here’s the real problem, though:
You can tell a person to read the fine print, but a depressed, anxious person isn’t thinking about the fine print when they’re up at 3 a.m. watching those infomercials.
A person like that is desperate, and when they see a TV program telling them how easily the program will work in their lives, they’re not thinking about the fine print. They hear the words “free trial” and dash for the phone with credit card in hand. They figure the credit card number is just a placeholder. They don’t expect to actually be charged. Sure, they’re engaged in stupid thinking. But when you’re mentally and emotionally sick, stupid thinking is a way of life.
That’s what this program is: A money-sucker that preys on desperate people.
The lesson here is that you can’t go for anything packaged as a quick fix.
Nothing — and I mean NOTHING — will cure you in 15 weeks or even 30.
Getting truly well is a process that takes years. And you are never cured.
That’s my personal experience, anyway.
The set of tapes you found in your trunk sells for over $200 on Amazon, as used items.
I purchased the program on August 22nd 2011, tried to return it on September 26th 2011 and was told I could not do so because the trial period had ended. The program consists of CDs and accompanying written material. For me, at least, it takes a bit longer than two weeks to determine if a cognitive behavioral program that will take a great deal of time to review (you have to listen to the CDs) is going to be helpful. The rep I spoke to at the company was unforgiving and argumentative. I was stonewalled. I have contacted my credit card company to block further charges and I am disputing the charges that have already occurred. Regardless of how this works out in the end, it has been a good learning experience for me. Thanks for the heads up on Amazon. Your comment is the only really helpful response I’ve received in my experience with Midwest Center.
If it hadn’t been for those tapes I bought in 1989 I think I’d be dead by now. Panic and anxiety were such a new thing. There was no Prozac or Zoloft. I’d listen and understand the “what if’s”. It helped me in so many ways. Forever great full
If it hadn’t been for those tapes I bought in 1989 I think I’d be dead by now. Panic and anxiety were such a new thing. There was no Prozac or Zoloft. I’d listen and understand the “what if’s”. It helped me in so many ways. Forever great full
Anxiety has a lot to do with Sarahaton in the brain I also bought this from her almost 30 years ago it didn’t help me and I garbage it as well..but I don’t blame anyone her I was desperate it almost cost me my life I lost my marriage and no one understood my problem not even the doctors this is a cruel depression to understand it you have to live through it I’m 64 years old today and I’m a servicer an proud of it learn one thing about Anxiety is it really can’t hurt you just learn to com your mind and your panic attacks will leave learn how to com your self down in a stressful situation is key all other medications do is lift the levels of serahton in your brain ….as for the bassetts money doesn’t fix the problem I feel sorry for your husband…but it goes to show that only you can stop anxiety learn how walk away from stress just stop let it leave you then move on most people with this problem are very highly motivated people some of the best minds in the world that’s why we suffer from anxiety in the first place…..
I too was desparate and found their late-night infomercials very tempting. I didn’t order the tapes, but I asked for more information about the center. Next thing I knew, I was getting bombarded with phone calls from the center, wanting me to buy this or that. Whoa! After asking them 3 times to take my name off their phone list, I finally just had their number blocked. It’s sad that people make money off another person’s pain. Thanks for sharing your story.
Alas, the only true road to change is doing the hard work. Sorry you were duped, but as the adage goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
if it sounds too good to be true ITS NOT.
I bought these tapes when I was 25, I started to suffer from panic attacks after my sister past. So true about not reading the fine print when you’re desperate. The tapes didn’t help me, infact they made me more anxious listening to everyone talking about their experiences. Just wasn’t for me, I also threw my tapes away.
The tapes are amazing. They have helped me and 6 other people I know SO much it’s incredible. I believed that I was that ‘one’ person that it wouldn’t help and it did. You have to be dedicated and follow the homework. It’s not just going to happen overnight…. you have to try. Lucinda’s husband was considered part ‘owner’ because of her. He didn’t start the program, she did. Just because he is her husband doesn’t mean that he followed the steps. He was probably so bombarded, he didn’t use the tools. You have to incorporate them into your daily life. That means every day! If you slack, it doesn’t work anymore. It’s not like, oh, I’ll do it once and I’m cured. Come on people.
Agree comoletely!
I too had the workbook and cassettes back in the early 90’s. Lucinda knows her stuff. She is not a fake. She went through hell with anxiety, went through a similar program, got better than created her own version of program introducing more tools for overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. It took time but implementing the tools and wanting to get better, got me better as well. As for her husband David, He sadly suffered from a severe form of bipolar depression. She begged his psychiatrist the night before his death to admit him to the hospital bc he had made an attempt before. Unfortunately David assured the psychiatrist and Lucinda he wouldn’t harm himself. The next morning he took his life. Bi polar and psychosis is NOT the same as an Anxiety disorder and for anyone to compare David’s situation to this program should be ashamed of themselves. Now, was the program pricey absolutely agreed. Should the business honored it’s 30 day trial, absolutely. Apparently the audio of this program has been updated since David death and Lucinda talks about it and him
I would definitely say that talking about suicide for people with anxiety is a very bad decision. It creates more what if thinking and scary thoughts. Not a brilliant move on Lucinda’s part. In closing I will say I know this program has helped so many people.
I completely agree. Its was the exact thing, at the right time for me. I HAD TO do Something. Overwhelmed was an Understatement. With Two jobs going full-time for 4yrs I couldn’t even sleep and when I did, the next day almost instantly my steamroller of anxiety began. It was overpriced, Yet I had the means!
Let me tell you the arrival of that packet was the Best Thing. I got right to work. Picked a day to start and the process began. The peoples testimonies were more like a group of friends that Never left me. Played them constantly, then completed some of the assignments.
Once I loosed-up and realized I could Pick Out What was working for me. It was Gold bc I could keep my privacy and still relate to others with similar issues contained right there in the recordings.
i really like the relaxation tape…same i picked out what helped and i am better with enjoying life…i still have anxiety but it’s not taking over me….i work with it and go on….keep moving forward and realize that i can not control everything….live and love life…enjoy what makes me happier.
Absolutely right great advice
They worked for me too.
I thought the program was amazing and it turned my whole life around. It was not an overnight fix by any means. It took a few years of work and focus. I don’t know where I would be at today if it was not for the attacking anxiety program. I will forever love Lucinda Bassett and her work. I’m sorry for those that it did not work for, but I have a strong feeling that some people were expecting an instant change. It’s a very gradual process that requires putting in a lot of effort. it was such a huge relief for me to listen to the cassette tapes and realize that I was not alone.
Oh yes the tapes helped me a lot. I still have them, PLUS I ordered another bunch that was on the internet reasonably priced. Look, those sessions on the tapes with others that had depression, woke me up as I first learned that others has the same problems like me. I wish she would start the program again.
Jerry 2024
I just remember when listening to Lucinda on the CDs that she was always talking about David(her dear husband) being her “rock” and how he would try to give her good advice when she was feeling anxious and/or depressed. I sadly, learned of David’s suicide only 4 lessons into the program and I simply could not make myself go back to listening and trying to do the work required knowing I had to hear poor Lucinda talk about David and how much he tried to help her and how level-headed he was. I know I will never know all of the details as to why the poor man chose to end his life, nor is it any of my business, and I certainly don’t blame Lucinda in any way but I just can’t listen repeatedly as we are told to do, to the tapes/cds when there are frequent references to David, knowing he chose to commit suicide. It’s just one of those unfortunate situations that I assume no one could have foreseen and I am sure Lucinda and her children will never over it. Unfortunately, neither will I ,to the point to ever pick up the program and begin again. And so like many others, I simply wasted my money and struggled to pay for the set for longer than I was able to listen to and work it.
Thankfully I did not know of Davids passing until Years later. Anyway ….Distracting from the program is something i don’t think David would have intended in the slightest.
I called for the free cd, and they asked me some question
and then started the hard sell, After about 4 or 5 different tactics, using the info I had given them.
To which I kept repeating that I had no money, they actually tried to use my 11 year old daughter against me.
It was shameful. It’s no more that a marketing pitch. And they should be very ashamed about this scam on people in a vulnerable state of mind. I’m just disgusted with these people and they should be taken off of the air. I would gladly be a part of a class action. They are dirt and need to be dealt with.
I can’t thank you enough for your straight-forward review of this company. I found information here that the company was not willing to share and they certainly didn’t want you to know.
As a result of your review, I saved myself money and the heart ache of believing in someone who is only looking to take your money. I guess that’s the answer to depression and anxiety: money.
Thanks again! 🙂
I’m a success story. The tapes worked for me- I kind of slimewired them for free. I didn’t buy. I never saw the infomercial. I’m sorry to hear about their hard-selling and scamming, because that taints an otherwise working product. Buy her book instead. Same info. 14 bucks. Please give it a chance!
After I have seen their infomercial which is very well balanced, very cleverly designed to instill confidence into the people who so desperately seek relief orf what is troubling them. Don’t they come across like they really want to help people, nothing but the best intention right. – Why wouldn’t you call, for a free CD. —- But that is where the niceties ended. The guy at the other end sounded like he was some kind of a counselor at first, but when he never heard of some basic medical terms, that’s when the first red flag went up. These people are trained telemarketers, trying to get you to commit to purchase their “trial” for less then $ 15.00. After all you have two weeks unconditional money back guarantee. Starting when? I did not buy off on their high sales pressure techniques. They promised to send the free CD – I am still waiting. Instead they started to call me – special units people here to help again, as in more high pressure techniques attempting to break down your resistance to buy. Such nice people?!?!? There you have it. Don’t let anybody take advantage of your vulnerability. Be careful and good luck.
I bought this program for a Friend that i figure it would help her, but the friendship went sour & she did’nt want my or the program,I called to get the Return Confirmation # for some odd reason they are constantly having tecnical difficaulty with that Depts Line when I mention that I needed to return the program,they are pretty sneaky.anyway I’m putting a stop on my acct. for that order.also why they have so many phone#s, I even e-mail them.
Well to all of you people that think midwestcenter is a scam, I really feel sorry for all of you, I was able to try the program for the free trail, the first time I ordered the program I returned it with no problem at all and then I went to the doctor that never helped me just wanted my money because just so you all know doctors don’t really feel bad for you, they just give you medication that also never works, I ordered the program again and started using it opened mind and this program changed my life and I will always be thankful for that, remember guys you cause your own anxiety, hearing other peoples experiences can’t cause anxiety its the way you let it affect you its in your head, it breaks my heart to hear people like you guys that are not open to different options than spending money on something that you guys by the way know its not helping that’s the reason why we have anxiety your overreaction to everything, its to bad you choose to keep living a miserable life.
I’m glad the program worked for you. My husband tried this program as a last resort because all the medications and doctor’s did not work. After trying the program he still ended up in an in-patient program. I don’t appreciate your last comment about choosing to keep living a miserable life because NO ONE chooses to feel that way. Just because the program supposedly worked for you doesn’t mean that others who tried it and failed are choosing to live with mental illness. If you believe that then your a moron!!
All I have to say is that I wish I saw this website before I place my order. They pulled the same BS with me. I place my order in the end of August using regular shipping which took at least 10 days. Apparently, they start the trial from the day the order ships and started billing my credit card within a week of me receiving the order. Then when I called them to return everything they told me that they had already charged my card and I could return the order. At this point, I pitch a fit and started threating to call my credit card company to dispute the charges.
The representative then told me that if I wanted to extend my trial for 2 weeks he would do it and after the additional two weeks I could return it for a full refund. I took this option, so that I didn’t have to go through the hassle of calling my credit card company; thinking that they would honor what they said. I then called them exactly two weeks later and they started all their BS again. This time they told me that since the order was shipped under my husbands name they would need to speak with him if I wanted to return the items. Now I was really pissed. I threatened to call the BBB and to dispute the charges with my credit card company. This didn’t seem to bother the representative one bit and she proceeded to repeat the same line of crap about needing to speak with my husband. At which point, I told her that he was in an in-patient program because her shitty program didn’t work. She then put me on hold for 20 minutes, probablly hoping that I would just hang up. When she finally got back on the line she told me that she would give me the return authorization, but I needed to make sure to follow the directions exactly if I wanted a refund. The directions were that I needed to put the RMA number on the outside and inside of the box, send the items back through a company that provided a tracking number and have the box insured. All of this I followed to a T.
Then the next day, I receive another pack from them containing more vitamins. I didn’t even remember ordering the vitamins with my original order and when they arrived I just assumed that they would part of the program. Today, I called them to get a return authorization for the vitamins and they flat our refused. Telling me that the vitamins are a separate order and it was pasted the 30 day return date. I proceeded to explain my story about cancelling the order and the snotty representative just cut me off and told me that the vitamin order was never cancelled and because they were shipped prior to me cancelling the CD order that I was responsible for paying for them. Again, I don’t even remember ordering the stupid vitamins and if it was an option I would have clicked NO because my husband takes too many other medications and cannot add misc. vitamins and minerals just in case they cause a bad reaction. For the third time, I threatened to contact my cc company to dispute the charges and this time she told me “go ahead” and hung up on me.
Well, that’s where I am now. I contacted the cc company and explained everything. I am disputing all the charges except for the orginal S&H and I asked them not to accept anymore charges from this company. Therefore, save yourself the hassle this program and company is a total fraud!!!
OKAY..FOLKS..Had the same problem with co, as far as getting vitamins I didn’t order…do not think we can blame this Co. for not fixing our depressions.
Outrageous price, ………………… BUT… I ordered it……my responsibility
Sent it back…………………………….. But….. they said id not receive it….
Started receiving Vitamins………….Didn’t even know I was suppose to receive, yet paid 30.00a pop
Depression is something that we all have to work hard to conquer. These are not the miracle we are looking for. But can make a miracle if there is a way we can open our minds to it. Some do Some don’t. Sounds like th eway the Co. runs the business is in itsel very shady…can’r do business with a Co. like that. People….. if you charged this on a atm card or credit card, your bank will make it right by you. Go see them explain what happened and they will deal with them, most banks credit your account. While they investiagate.
I am still battling them over their worthless “products”. The billings to my credit card never seemed to end so I stopped payment. Now I find out that they’ve convinced American Express that I owe them $981!!! Talk about causing STRESS AND ANXIETY!! These people should be put out of business. They take advantage of people at weak moments. Anyone else interested in a class action??
hola a todos no escribo en ingles porque no se muy bien pero silo se leer en un 90%yo adquiri este programa hace dos anos,en mi opinion creeo que es un buen curso solo se tiene que seguir al pie de la letra,pero si debo admitir que silo forzan a uno a comprar este programa sin siquiera saber si es bueno o no,realmente es una lastima saber que esta gente se especializa en solo negociar con gente vulnerable…mentalmente hablando.
Anxiety would literally keep me awake for days. One night when I was attempting to calm myself down, I thought that by watching TV I could help take my mind off it. After seeing the name of the show on the TV Guide channel, I felt so much better. I watched the hour long “special” and then darted to the phone. I thought with the free trial, I had nothing to lose. After speaking with the operator, [who could actually relate to my problems, sure] I was so sure that everything would work out just fine. After I received the package, I immediately put it into action. I did the exact same routine for weeks with no results. I tried. I honestly did. I did everything she tells you to do. They told me that the most important CD was the “Relaxation CD.” I used it. Over & over. I called them back to tell them I wanted a refund, and they asked me why. I told them that I sincerely tried the program, and to no avail. They told me it could not be refunded. So, after trying & failing, I would not attempt any other self help programs that cost more than my living room. All in all, anxiety is still running rampant. Just as always.
My wife (soon to be ex-wife) purchased this Get Well Kit without my consent. She is a religious fanatic who tries to project her mental instability on others, especially me. She sent this to my address. I told her to cancel this scam and to avoid getting charged the $300 dollars which would happen in the following three weeks. The stupid bitch stole the reciept so that I couldn’t cancel myself. I reluctantly tried the program and I find it to be very counter-productive. i never asked for this crap nd no I am really pissed that I got hooked up with a stupid woman who spends wrecklessly without my approval. I also took the vitamin supplements and discovered that fish oil pills are essentially bad for your health.
This program is dangerous package and I am very upset that I married someone stupid enough to fall for this marketing scheme.
Hello I am also a success story, I am very sorry about your experience but i think now a day people complain about everything and let’s be honest you guys were probably pased the trial period because if not why are they still in business?????? and it’s been 30 years you guys have a lot of anxiety and anger that’s all and you always want to get your way eben if your wrong, I feel really bad that people like you guys write these type of negative comments because your making people be more afraid then what they already are, and remember guys that you’re negativity is the one that causes anxiety and depression and the reason why the program has not worked out for you guys it’s because your mindset is (nothing is going to be able to help me, I’m to depressed to listen to it) all i can say is good luck with dealing with your anxiety and depression I know you guys are angry but don’t blame it on this company if you want to blame someone blame yourself for making negative comments and NOT helping people get the help they need.
It’s pretty obvious the pro-Midwest Center posts are just that, written by people connected with Midwest Center, even when they try to hide it by purposely mis-spelling words and use poor grammer.
Hector, I know I do not work at the mid-west center. Look at my post. It is more awkward than I would want, but it is the real deal. Most people find it hard to write long posts. I’m thinking of re-crafting mine, because it IS awkward, and not what I was hoping for. One time, and I can’t remember what web-sight, I took my time to get it right, and it was rejected, or refused post, because I had taken too long with it.
Look to Jesus. Only Jesus. He is the only one that can cure you, heal you & set you free. Want a sure fire fix- buy a bible. This is not a smart post this is a genuine attempt to offer you s REAL ANSWER. God Bless
MID WEST CENTERS IS A JOKE IF IT HELPED ANYONE THEY WERE NOT THAT BAD. FIRST I TRIED TO CANCEL THE ORDER BEFORE IT WAS SENT OUT AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO IT, IT HAD BEEN SENT LIE NUMBER ONE THEN I GET THE BOX AND SEND IT RIGHT BACK THEN CALLED THEN I”M TOLD I NEED A RETURN NUMBER WAS NEVER TOLD THIS BEFORE ON MY FIRST CALL NOW THEY WANT TO TRY TO TAKE MORE MONEY OUT OF MY ACCOUNT. I WISH I CHECKED THIS PLACE OUT FIRST. IF YOU NEED HELP GO TO A GOOD PSYCHIARIST AND GET THE HELP YOU NEED. I DON”T WANT TO SEE ANYONE ELSE RIPPED OFF!!!!!!! STAY AWAY!!
Tell your credit card company what happened and that you won’t pay any more charges. Then, be totally honest, as you’d want them to do to you, and send everything back. Or use your debit card–you can report it lost to the bank and get a different card so they can’t keep charging you–as long as you’re honest and send the stuff back.
Lucinda would agree with you about that. According to her, she had an unusually bad night, and prayed to God to show her just one person who had gotten over this agony. In the morning she saw a woman on tv, talking about how she got over her anxiety. The next day, Lucinda began her own research at the library, and the rest is history. As an extra, Lucinda offers her own Bible study guide, to deepen ones understanding of the program, and the Bible.
Even though I was a skeptic, I bought it. I believe It helped in way. I’m more of an agnostic these days. No longer confident about atheism.
Lucinda’s program worked for me! I do not work for the mid-west center. And I was not scammed!
But, you should know, I did not pay any attention to the 30 day free trail offer. It sounds like if I had tried to get my money back, I probably would have felt ripped-off too. I was ripped off later by the Treadclimber’s 30 day free trail. I wish I had not started that mess. Talk about an over priced piece of crap.
As for Lucinda’s program, I have found it miraculous. But it was more than a bumpy ride. I would love to offer at least some of you hope. So the only way I can think to do this, is move fast, and cover a lot of ground. Just remember, this is deliberately compacted, and will be lite on details.
One day as I approached 30, I woke up feeling very funny. There was something wrong with my mind, but had no idea what. After three sleepless nights, I checked into a hospital, because I thought I was going mad. They said I had anxiety. They gave me a pill, put me in a bed, and I fell asleep. Feeling much better, I decided to follow their recommendations. That is where things went really wrong. As I learned later, from Lucinda, not enough is known about these conditions, and related issues. It’s not that doctor’s don’t know anything, it’s that they don’t have all the information in one place. That is what Lucinda has done, she has put everything in one place.
But, Hell had to come first. I was given different tests, including an ink blot test. That was fun. But fun ended. Now they said, I was also schizophrenic. They called my primary symptom “thought broadcasting.” So they gave me more pills, telling me these ones, I would have to take for the rest of my life.
Now to pick up the pace. I quickly gave up on talk therapy, because every time I told them something new, they prescribed another pill. I was between jobs, but then had a call back from a factory I had worked at off and on for years.
I hung on there for three grim years. But pills become less effective over time. And have many side effects. I was afraid of addiction, so said nothing. I did not want any increases. I began “self medicating” with booze. Realizing my time had become short at this factory, I quit. I lived on my life savings. I had med checks every couple months.
My weight exploded. My parents started to bring me to doctor after doctor. They were looking for a different diagnoses. They didn’t find one. Mom died of cancer. I developed type 2 diabetes. A year later or so; high blood pressure. More pills.
Then one day, I saw an infomercial for Attacking Anxiety. It didn’t seem like me, and besides, I was also schizophrenic. But then, I caught something on this infomercial, I hadn’t noticed before. One of the women said something like, “I was afraid I would shatter into a thousand pieces, and no one would be able to put me back together.” I sent for it. I ignored the 30 day free trail offer. I didn’t care.
A week later, a saleswoman called me, and talked me into buying some Anthony Robbins program. She said it would be a perfect addition to the Anxiety program. I hadn’t even listened to the Anxiety program yet! Somewhere in there, at my regular med check, a substitute doctor said maybe I didn’t have anxiety. Maybe it was depression. I refused more pills. I still clung to the ones I was already taking, fearing for my sanity. When the Robbins program arrived, I put both of them in the closet.
That was that. By that time my savings were gone, so my family got me on disability. The doctors were very helpful. Then my family shook up my living situation, and I was moved into one of my sister’s home. The doctors had always told me to exercise because of my diabetes, but I rarely did. But now I had a basement. So I bought a treadmill.
20 minutes at a time. I had a new doctor, and a new psychiatrist. He told me, there were new meds, and wanted to change some of them. I said okay. He had an ambition to get me down to 2 pills a day, instead of the 7 or 8 I was taking. One day, my psychiatrist said I should bump up the walk 10 minutes, for 30 minutes total. So I did. One day, at the GP’S, the nurse said I had lost 2 pounds. 3 months later, another 2 pounds. hmmmmm… I began to notch up my speed. I might have have finally got up a notch or two above 2 miles an hour.
Bam. The nurse said, this time I had lost ten pounds! Then she said my blood pressure was down. A lot! When I left, I decided to double my walk: an hour a day. And the weight rolled off.
One day, I had a weird thing happen to my eye. I was seeing a bright rainbow in my right eye. No matter where I looked, I could not escape this rainbow. I knew it was my diabetes. Even though I was losing weight now, I was going blind! My doctor was gone somewhere, and I did not want to go to the emergency room again. I was panicking. I was on meds, and I was panicking. I took out the discarded Attacking Anxiety program from the closet, and started to listen.
Without telling anyone, I listened to all 15 tapes. I read the accompanying work book, and
halfheartedly filled in some of the blanks. It took 15 weeks. Nothing happened. Nothing had changed! I kept thinking how one of the guys on one of the last tapes, had said, when he was done, nothing had happened to him either. “Where are these ‘skills’ you kept talking about Lucinda?” Everyone laughed at that one. But I didn’t. Now I felt gypped again.
However, I did decide to follow one piece of advice from the program, and give up caffeine. At first, when I was told by Lucinda, how bad caffeine is, how it combines with negative thinking to fuel anxiety, and panic, I was righteous about it. I did not want to do it, but since I would also save money, I thought: okay. I was up to a 12 pack of diet cherry coke a day by then.
But that was that. Nothing had happened. Then I bought a total-gym. I had watched all the infomercials for strength training, and liked the looks of total-gym. Like my treadmill, it was a great purchase. I did find out later, if you are willing to experiment, you do not need any equipment in order to get in shape. Oh well.
One day, my psychiatrist made the push to get me down to just 2 different meds. He was concerned, one of the main stays of my regimen was bad long term, if you had diabetes. It did not go well. The med put me in an agonized state of mind. I thought I was going to snap, and go psychotic. At first, I was worried about my sister. But then it struck me, if I did snap, it would only be bad for me. That was a relief, in a weird way.
So the doctor put me back on the old med. One late night on tv, I saw that Lucinda was back with her program. Except, she was now calling it “Attacking Anxiety AND Depression.” I thought, I’ve gotten so many stories over the years about this, so many conflicting claims, why not? At least Lucinda was willing to admit, she had learned more herself, and was willing to change. So I sent for it again. And on CD. Again, I did not fret about some free trial. And fortunately, no sales person called to bother me about buying more programs.
One thing was going to be different this time. No meds. Over the years, it had struck me, if I stayed on my meds, there would be no way to know if it was working. I had no gauge. After working up my nerve for 2 months, I approached my psychiatrist with my plan. Under his supervision, I would go off all my meds, and work with Lucinda’s program. I braced myself, and said ALL OF THEM. Including the ones for schizophrenia. The doctor agreed.
I was tapered to be off my meds half way through week one. The program worked. The program worked! My doctor told me at the beginning, to keep a few of my meds, just in case. I was glad I did. There were two separate dark nights where I did take small amounts of the main stay; klonopin. (probably not the right spelling) Other than those two nights, I have been off all meds ever since. That was perhaps 6 years ago now.
It took me 17 weeks though, not 15. I also followed Lucinda’s advice, and went through the program a second time. Just to be sure. No more panic attacks. No more “thought broadcasting.” Though I still do get sad, from time to time, but not depressed.
As far as Lucinda’s husband’s suicide goes, I am glad I was through the program first. If I had known before hand, well I don’t like to think about it. But it just goes to show you, it is largely the power of suggestion. That is, how you look at things. I know there are other factors involved, and Lucinda will tell you the same, but the biggest factor in most cases is; it is all in the head.
To those who doubt this, I want you to know; there is an answer out there for you. If not this program, then something will help. Keep looking, and trying. It is worth it.
just read your blog…been searching also for any damn way out of my own illness,deep-ass debilitating depression.Just wanted to tell u good luck and youre not alone,that kinda helps to remember sometimes
When I re-read this, I realized my entry implies I want off my MEDICAL meds as well. I did not. Sorry. I have only gotten free of my physco-meds.
Just one more post here. I have now read ALL the posts here. I can’t believe this is the same company I have experienced, but I believe you. I think I was lucky on this one. But please believe me, the program itself has worked wonders for me. I hope some of you have kept your programs, and will at least try it one day, when you feel ready.
I have had bad experiences with other products. Telemarketers are often a service separate companies use. I know they often use convicts in prison for this.
I am on week #4 of the lessons and finding them helpful and insightful. HOWEVER!!!! One word of warning about the vitamins………DON’T sign up for the vitamins or the auto-ship! You will not be able to return them due to FDA regulations that supplements are not refundable. Of course they don’t tell you this until AFTER they have shipped them to you and already charged your account $30.00-which they refuse to credit. In my case when I placed my original order I absolutely refused the vitamins due to multiple herb allergies(I couldn’t take them anyhow)and the sales person said he understood and would cancel the auto-ship part of the order, so I agreed. One month later I get 3 boxes of vitamins,,,,,,,and now the fight is on!
I just found out the same information regarding the vitamins. 3 boxes arrived yesterday, I called today to see how much was billed to my credit card, 28.92 (1 month) with a 58.00 balance for the other 2 months. I was told the same thing they cannot be returned due to FDA regulations. Actually I am not out 28.92, but the entire amount for the 3 month supply. I did cancel my order so hopefully I won’t be receiving any more vitamins. I have not tried the program yet, but I have heard good things about it so I will give that a try. I hadn’t opened the program box yet so I wasn’t real clear that I had to call within 30 days to cancel the vitamin order, however I know I was not told they cannot be returned due to FDA regulations.
This program is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and worked for me! It is too bad that such a wonderful program gets knocked when it has changed lives for the better! Thanks Lucinda for your hard work and dedication! I am proof that the program works!!!
I scrolled through to see a positive response, and sadly yours is the only one I’ve come by thus far. I am ‘locked’ into paying for this crap that has no effect whatsoever on my anxiety and depression troubles. I wonder if you are a paid person to search through the internet trying to promote this product. … ? Hmmmm. The positive replies on all the blogs are from a ‘Carrie’ or a ‘Jasmine’… certainly makes you think.
I have a simple solution for all of you… if you want to try it, DON’T BUY IT FROM THE INFOMERCIAL!! Get it off of Ebay or Craigslist for CHEAPER. Then you won’t be giving them your credit card information, address, or phone number and you wont have to worry about 30 day free trial refunds, mystery pills coming in the mail, etc. etc. It’s that simple. Sorry that you guys had to put up with that crap, but please don’t give the actual product a bad review just because of the poor customer service.
OMG this website saved me hundreds of dollars!!!! Tonight I saw their infomercial so i called to get the free cd. As the rep is talking and trying to relate to my situation, i decided to look them up online. and sure enough like this website says they will ask you for a credit card. and you know what if i hadnt read this i would have given them any info and paid whatever amount just so i could get better. Its a shame people try to take advantage of someone like me that is just trying to get better….
I highly recommend zen living.
It will help you live in the present….and live stress free…go back to your original state of perfection.
Thank you for your blog. Their website wouldn’t tell me the price of the program unless I give them my info.
“How much does the program cost?
Please click here and complete the form to receive details on the trial offer.”
Pfft. I’m not even going to touch it. I agree with whoever said it above. I’m going to go with God on this. The Bible is free, if you look for a free one. Prayer helps me. I just need to pray harder.
YES!!! Prayer and taking the time to go to a counselor. He is the almighty healer of all things. The program is like 500.00 the Bible is free and so is His counsel through the peace only HE can provide….< God BLess you
I saw the paid programming for this supposedly miracle cure for anxiety and depression from the Midwest Center. I admit, I was intrigued so I called to get the free informtion they were offering. The operator asked what seemed like a million questions as to why I needed help with my anixety. She used the infomation I gave her to her advantage in order to sell the product. She repeatedly (I do mean repeatedly) asked for my credit card number to get me started on the program. This lady was relentless! She even offered to reduce the price of the shipping & handling so I could get started with the program. I kept telling her all I wanted was the free cd offered in the commercial, she said we had already completed the initial process over the phone so all I had to do was place my order, she even said it was her professional recommendation I begin this program immediately. From the moment she asked for my credit card number I felt something suspicious was going on.
I know jobs are hard to come by these days, but for those whose job it is to cheat people out of their hard earned money, SHAME ON YOU!
To make a long story short, I just ended up hanging up on the operator who was still wanting me to give her my credit card number.
I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for many years. I am so grateful that I did not see this blog or any of these negative comments before purchasing the program. I would probably passed on. I am in NO way affiliated with the company and I am not in the habit of posting on any blog, especially about something so private. But, if my comments can counter some of the negativity here it is worth the time. My husband saw the infomercial late one night about 10 years ago and I purchased it. The program helped me get control of my panic attacks when nothing else had helped. And yes they were horrible and they controlled my life and I had tried it all from medication, individual therapy as well as group therapy. I did not do the program perfectly, but I did listen to the tapes and I did use the relaxation tape often. I do not believe Lucinda Bassett overstated her condition. There is no way she could explain anxiety and agoraphobia the way she does without having the condition. I thought I was one of the only people in the world with some of my issues until I read her book. The book From Panic to Power probably helped more than the tapes. I am not 100% and it is an ongoing condition but I know that my life has been improved by the program. I know that it will not help everyone and it is alot of work and takes time but I hate to think that there is someone out there like me who will not give it a chance because it didn’t work for you guys. I can’t speak to their return policy but I would suggest the program or at least the book to anyone who may be struggling with panic attacks and anxiety.
I used the program in the 1990’s and I feel like it saved my life. They never promised to be cured in 15 weeks and part of the program teaches how to manage expectations (such as thinking you will be cured in 15 weeks).
I am Alyssa, I have had Anxiety pretty much all my life, and this program, pulled me out of one of my darkest times. My anxiety was so awful, and this program has helped me so much, not cured me, but helped me. Those of you that say it doesn’t work, well I honestly believe that it is a possibility that you just didn’t do it right, or really practice and think the way the program tells you too. Whenever I start to get any form of stress/anxiety, or depression, i notice it’s always when i start to go back to my “old” way of thinking. this program does not SAVE you, it teaches you how to save yourself! you have to put forth the effort! Any questions feel free to facebook me, Alyssa Rennie.
This company is a total fraud, I totally agree with all negative comments here. Don’t give them your credit card number!!!!!!!
A friend of mine recommended this program and I was naive enough to believe it is something worth trying.The program is an average behavioural analysing program that repeats the same concepts through out all the CDs over and over again. A good book can be much more useful. My main complain is regarding the FREE supplements they offer in addition. I purchased the program on August 2011 and am receiving vitamin pills since then. When promoting a free trial they just forgot to mention free shipping in not included in the free trial so the first $35 were charged just for the shipping to Toronto/Canada. They automatically also included the second shipment of pills in my first bill without any notice. So I was charged another $113 for the second order of pills which I never ordered. I didn’t recognise this before the second box of pills arrived a month later. First I sent an email to the customer service department without getting a reply. When I called to cancel and send back the package they said this kind of product is non-refundable even if I haven’t opened it. The lady was unforgiving and very unfriendly! They promised to cancel my order and don’t send any additional pills but they told me that another package of pills has already been sent to me and I will be charged for that before they cancel my order!!!!!! This was in Dec 2011. The last charge (after I had cancel in Dec2011) was placed Jan 2012. I have already contacted my credit card company and will block any further charges. If needed I will take legal steps to stop them from further fraud. Maybe a strong law suit helps to give them a good lesson.
So glad I found this blog. I am watching the infomercial right now. I’m depressed enough that I didn’t consider calling the number because it would require me to speak to another human being. Instead, I decided to check their website. Thankfully the google search brought me here. I needed this jolt of reality. I know very well that some CD’s aren’t going to change my mental state but being up in the middle of the night, alone and having used yet another sick day because of depression…I was just desperate enough to think maybe it would work.
Jo, this program works, you are not alone, I wish I can give you my tapes but I already gave them away to a person that is overcoming anxiety successfully. Pray JO, that is what I did the night I cried so hard in the middle of my living room asking God to help me to get better, this happened in the year 2000. I turn the radio on to keep quiet my anxiety thoughts at the same time asking God why this was happening to me, Lucinda’s voice came on the radio giving me the answer, was this coincidence? I don’t think so, there is something within us that keeps us hoping, well, help came my way. I thought I will buy those tapes although my income was low, I made some adjustments in my life for a couple of months in order to get this program, I do not regret it. It’s has been 12 years and I can tell you that I am a different person that I was before, I learnt to love myself, respect myself, stand for myself and respect others too. I am proud of who I am today. I am a nurse and I have been helping people with what I know from this wonderful program, JO, there is hope, you are so worthed! Love and peace.
Marcie
Jo – Do you know what automatically reduced your stress – not ordering a product from a company that has a history of fraudulent business practices. Pat yourself on the back, you did well and for once Google’s jumping the gun helped instead of annoyed. 🙂 And on a more personal note – I am not a depressive person (my issue is anxiety), but I can understand where you’re coming from. If it is that bad, I would seriously consider checking into what free mental health options are available on your area, since I assume the appeal of this program is it’s cheaper than therapy.
To the defenders, it doesn’t matter if it works for you or for 99% of the people who try it. It absolutely does not matter. Because if even 1% are being bilked because their sales and return policy is dishonest and misleading, no one should be ordering from the until they fix this. Because the truth is that not a single program out there will magically fix everyone. No matter how great it worked for you, that’s a cold hard fact. And they have no right to take advantage of those people they are not able to help. If they are truly a company that cares about healing and not just making money, they are obligated to provide honest and reasonable customer service.
I myself have tried it all, I have tried an aboundance of methods. At the end of the day I do not care how much it cost, my health comes first and money comes last. I am very greatful to be in the right place at the right time to see the commercial. I ordered the free trial and can not wait to recieve it. It is baffling that when it comes to: cell phones, paying for the gym, buying business wear, partying there are no complaints but when it comes to paying for health its a problem. I have yet to experience the treatment and when I do if it does works for me I will be happy, but if it dont at least I can say I tried instead of being discouraged by someone elses failure. I truly hope the best for you, and here is a saying I know all to well: If you dont have nothing nice to say DONT say NOTHING at ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!
I too am desperate for help, I have been DIZZY for about 3 months now and not one doctor can tell me why I havebeen to about 5 different ones been through every test imaginable and I am DESPERATE. I saw this commercial and almost picked up the phone. I think the 2 yrs of MAJOR stress has ruined me.. BUt the best thing for me I think is self help through counseling, prayer and finding time for ME… Just got oo stressed out and worried TOO much..
This program help me to overcome my anxiety and panic attacks, it works! And I am thankful I found it. In order for this program to work you have to listen the tapes and later do the work book. I always thought of myself of being a positive thinker, I was not, now I can tell you that my life improved 80% by the way I think in a positive way with less expectations. Expect less and gain more. I still dealing with small things like trying not to overreact, the beautiful thing is every time I am about to overreact I take a deep breath and I can control the overreaction.
What happened to Lucinda’s husband is not of our business, we don’t know really the truth and it can happen to anyone.
This program saved my life and I am stronger than ever without taking any type of medication. A coworker had a panic attack at work, she did not know what was going on, she was prescribed prozac, I am not against medication that can help people, but I could not stand to see this young girl go into an abysm of depression, I gave her my tapes and copy of my work book. She does not have any panic attacks anymore; after listened the third tape she already felt better, she looks happy again and smiles. She looks more determine, strong, I have no words to describe the changes in her, the positive changes. This program is not for everybody; maybe for those people that say the program did not work, well, maybe it was not meant to be to work for you. If you believe in Karma, well, maybe it is not your karma to find a way to get better with this program. So, go ahead and find something better that helps you, I think without taking medications you will not find anything better. God bless you and God bless Lucinda and her family.
Marcie
Bought the program in the 90s .Money well spent.Consider myself cured.The thing I dont understand is how can you tell it works when ur trying to return it without giving it a chance.I just bought the program without a trial run and it really helped me overcome my sickness.Also you have to remember their in it to make money.A sidenote:I lost one of the tapes and I called for a new one and they replaced it free of chare no questions asked.
I was going to give it a try but after reading all your testimonies I’ve come to the conclusion that it takes more than tapes to heal the real pain of anxiety and deppression. It is through years of growing up, learning and thriving continously to get better,looking for help, reading, googling, understanding and unwebing the tangles down under that really helps you to go on, one moment at a time. I wish you all good luck from the bottom of my heart for I know, being there and done that. Bless you guys!
I went to a site that I got to often called Daily Strength today…and just today I learned of Lucinda Basset’s husbands suicide. I have to admit that when I first learned this , it disturbed me greatly. I felt like how on earth can this help me…when he lived in the house with her and still did that to himself. It is very discouraging to say the least. BUT…we do not know anything about him, his life, what was going on, what other kinds of things he may of had wrong with him…so I try to not jump to conclusions. It is hard though…..all I can say is that the program did not cure me…but I did find that it had lots of useful information in it and I have referred to it often during difficult times. I’ve always had the Panic To Power book close at hand for easy reference. I got the program back in 95′ and I have to say that it’s been my “base” program…learning of his suicide does seem to kind of give it a stigma now..whether it should or not..I can’t help how I feel. I used to pull out the tapes/cd’s or the workbook or the book and it was immediately uplifting….I’m not sure I will feel the same way now…it is something I have got to work through..because like I said..it does have useful information…..it just seems like it has a cloud hanging over it now….that’s just how I feel. I hope I can overcome these feelings and continue on using it as good reference material. God Bless. =)
I have had anxiety and depression for 10 years and i got these tapes. It changed my life and I would never want to go back to the way that i felt befor. but i think that when it doesnt help you because either you dont really try to help yourself or dont give your self the chance. You have already set your self up to fail. I dont know what happened with Lucinda’s Husband but that is not something you blame on lucinda or the program. he made the decision to do that. I do feel bad for her and what she went through. You think of how much money you spend on meds and the doc visits. I dont have to take any meds anymore because i dont have any anxiety or depression anymore. Every company has there policiys and ya if you are out of the trial peiod no company is going to let you return it because 4 months down the road you want your money back. The mid west center is not a scam or Bullshit as you like to say it. They save lives and get peoples lives back. I could not get my self out of the house and now i can do all of those things i could not do befor. When i talked to the Rep about the price she helped me because i dont make much money but she helped me because she wanted to help me not just stick me with a bill i cant afford. I still do tell people about the program because i know what it can do if you give your self the chance to change your life.
Those tapes saved my life but THEY ARE NOT MAGIC FAIRY DUST as it appears that you wanted them to be. It takes work and if they didn’t work for you, don’t blame THEM blame YOURSELF…you clearly didn’t do the work. It’s always nice to be able to blame our failures on others…take a look in the mirror my friend!
I jest wanted to say that I checked this company out with the BBB they are not BBB accredited and and rating scale from A to F the BBB rates them D-
Bought it back in the ’90’s for a friend, and went through it with her – very successfully. She was able to stop meds and has managed some tough times since. Not a quick fix as some people expect. Best to get an accountability partner also. Can end up cheaper than psychiatric or therapist visits and is used on your own time. Should be kept for future refreshers if needed.
It was disturbing to read all of the comments around the alleged business practices of the MId West Center. I ordered this program in the mid 1990s and I can honestly say that it changed my life. I don’t work for them, have no affiliation with them but am forever indebted to Lucinda in helping me overcome my problems with anxiety. Believe my story or not – it’s your choice.
I suffered from generalized anxiety and panic attacks which really peaked in my late 20’s. It was the most horrible time of my life until I heard about a woman called Lucinda Bassett. I went to hear her speak at la local hotel promoting the program. I was so relieved to see hundreds of people at this event many of whom suffered from the same symptoms as I did. My most important realization was that I was not alone.
The tapes provided support and guidance for me at a time when psychiatrists and psychologists did very little to understand and help me deal with my symptoms. They actually made me worse. Listening to the individuals on the tapes recount their battles and stories let me know that I was not going insane and there really was hope for dealing with my symptoms. Clonazepam provided symptomatic relief during my very dark days, but after a year or so of working with the program, I was able to deal with my symptoms by altering my response to situations rather than relying on medication. Medication does play an important role until you can develop better coping skills.
I have referred many people to the program, some of which were helped tremendously and still thank me today and others who saw no benefit. I would do it all again as I was so desparate to find relief in a world where you think that no one really understands what you are going through or how to pull you out of it.
To this day, I thank Lucinda for sharing her story and her research with me. I swore if I ever got better I would help others as I wouldn’t wish this condition on anyone. I hope my post helps you.
Every one has to find their own way and the tools provided in this program may not work for everyone. There is no magic bullet. That’s why there are millions of self help books on the market. Reading a book won’t work. But applying the skills laid out in this program can provide some relief if you are willing to really work through them and not make excuses about it. The program took much longer than 15 weeks for me. In fact, it took several years before I had overcome my fear of anxious feelings and had developed the skills I needed to deal with them.
If there are questionable business practices at the Mid West Center, I hope Lucinda finds a way to rectify this. IThe supplements were not part of the program when I ordered it, so perhaps that is more the issue. In the interim, perhaps as the reader suggests, there are other avenues to find used programs where others have not found benefit.
I can’t imagine where my life would be without these tapes that provided the emotional support I needed in my darkest times.
The program is AMAZING. It changed me forever. That’s all I have to say
The program worked for me. My opinion: If the program didn’t work for you, you are doing something wrong or just didn’t believe in it in the first place or maybe your problem is more than just anxiety. The program teaches you skils that you have to enforce yourself long after the 15 weeks. No one can work miracles. It’s up to you if you want to get well.
Makes me wonder how many people just post that this helped them just to help them sell, If this was any kind of real deal then they would be up front about the cost and not scamm anyone,
I just found this revue as i just watched the tv commercial and was just curious what others would say about it,
I dont realy deal with any serious anxiety but the commercial simply can make a person think these people just invented the wheel,
The commercial itself was puting me in to depression for christ sake,
All they mention is a free cd, Nothing is free unless it has something attached to it, In this case its a credit card number that they can charge you what ever there heart desires,
Its not bad enough they can take your money that you never intended to spend, There is always someone claiming how it helped them and justifying these people taking others for there money,
And if the program did not help you then sure it must be your own fault in some way or another, Its easier to take the attention away from the real fact of being scammed out of your money,
If this was an honest thing then the cost would be up front and not hiden in the fine print,
In my opinion money would be beter spent researching some natural herbs that help with symptoms of anxiety and depression and even take a good bubble bath with relaxing music and know you are not feeding some money greedy people that are enjoying others suffering while profiting from it,
I am sure they cant wait to get you on the phone when you asking for the free cd as they put the pressure sales pitch on you to get your credit card number, This is nothing new and reports to the BBB. Is full of these complaints from many diferent scams as this, i am sure,
Best thing is probably to contact your credit card company and dispute any charges from such company,s who refuse to stop charging for something you dont want, Because the sales reps have no reason to stop charges if they can get away with it,
Ive read most of the comments at this site and most are negative, few are positive, owing to the heterogenous mix of people with different levels of anxiety and depression, from subclinical to clinical. The CDs made me aware right away of certain things. I have realized now that I have had minor anxiety attacks throughout the years, and recently couldnt sleep due to a break up. I ordered the program at 2am knowing full well I am in no state of mind to be ordering it, but thats the nature of the situation. The concepts they describe and techniques seem valid and can be used throughout your life, not just at this moment in your life. This awareness is similar to the time-transcending application of the Bible in times of stress in your life to different situations at different times in your life. Im a scientist and am not religious mind you. I believe the concepts taught by the CDs help me regain control over my thoughts caused by my over analytical nature. This awareness is worth the money over the long run in a life of self improvement. For people with serious clinical panic attacks and clinical depression its best to seek mental and medical help. Lastly, there are few guarantees in life, if you feel it didnt work for you, ask yourself why and find ways to solve the problem. Believe in yourself, invest in the time and work involved in self awareness and self control, a life long pursuit. Unfortunately this program obviously doesnt work for everyone, are these negative comments posted here a representative consensus of probably thousands of people that have ordered these tapes and now CDs. I empathize with all of you that feel ripped off and betrayed however. Lucinda ultimately is irresponsible and should address these poor customer service and return policy and poor business tactics. Shame on you Lucinda!
I ordered the program a few years ago (2003? 2004?) back when my anxiety was the absolute worst. I was having up to 5 panic attacks a day and 3 separate doctors told me that I was the worst case of Anxiety Disorder they had ever seen. It had gotten so bad that the phone ringing could send me into an attack, or eating off of a fork that I had forgotten to sterilize. Needless to say, getting to a doctor for medication was out of the question (the 3 docs were after the program).
Desperate I ordered the program. I didn’t bother with the payment plan or trial, I told them to send it and charge it. Honestly, I’m glad I did. Yes, $500 is far too much. But the program gave me enough tools to control my anxiety to actually be able to get into a car (another thing that sent me into an attack). And getting into a car led me to getting to the doctor, who was able to prescribe meds.
Was the program a cure-all? Not even close. But it gave me a good bit of control over part of my anxiety, which led to me being able to take full control. Now I’m on meds and I have maybe 2 panic attacks a year.
Bottom line? This program does work, to a degree. For those with low to mid-level anxiety, it will be a God-send. To those (like me) with overwhelming anxiety levels? It will help but not cure. But even a little help is a relief when it’s that bad.
I have also been plagued with depression and anxiety for several years. I have been on several medications but nothing has really worked for me completely. Then I was guided to a herbologist who used a scanner and determined the chemicals that were imbalanced. After taking an array of herbals and most important a lot of prayer and healing from God, I am a lot better and extremely excited that I can finally come off of a lot of medications. So, just give it a try with both prayer, God healing power and herbs to get your life back. Take care and God Bless
I just found out that Midwest Center has deducted money from my account without my permission. I just called customer service and was told the first time that I can get a refund if I call another, which I did and still am. No one answers. I called the customer service number the second time and was told that I would not get the refund because I did not cancel before trial offer. This is such bullshit. First, these people cannot without your approval take money from your account. Second of all, you must be able to talk to someone to correct this matter. And right now, I am so pissed that I will create a lot of problems for them, so no one gets taken advantage like I did.
You are not alone. Their rating is a “D-” in an A-F scale.
http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/Music-Retail-Store/Midwest-Center-for-Stress-and-Anxiety-LLC-in-Calabasas-CA-100104999
Just to add to my above post, aside from the 93 complaints resolved in 2011, this section really caught my attention:
“The Better Business Bureau in Ohio met with this company in May 2011, and the company agreed to clearly post their Terms and Conditions on their website and alleviate the underlying cause of complaints; however as of 12/13/2011, the company has not posted the Terms and Conditions of their Free Trial Program. Our office also wrote to the company on December 13, 2011, requesting that the Terms and Conditions be clearly posted on their website.”
Despicable.
The program worked great for me. I highly recommend it. I had generalized anxiety and panic attacks for years and found the program helpful to the point of a cure when I remember to use the tools they taught. You really have to follow it as they tell you to do. I do believe your thoughts can make you feel what you do, and I know I can control what I am thinking. If you don’t believe me, have you ever seen a crying child suddenly stop crying because someone help a lolipop in front of their face? Nothing changed except what the child was thinking about.
I have been trapped in the refund nighmare for several products but usually, it was because I was days late in calling for the return authorization number.
Nothing works for everyone but I believe it is a fine product and will work for some if used correctly. If you order it, make sure you mark your calendar for the last day to return if you need to!
Good luck to all and God bless.
I haven’t started the program yet, but I feel like it’s going to be helpful for me. HOWEVER, This automatic shipment of sleep & relaxation pills is a RIP-OFF! The woman I spoke to when I placed my order gave me a phone # for the “supplements”, incase I wanted to order more after trying the free trial of “supplements” that would be included in the package with the program. She also told me it would cost $24.95/month plus $3.95 s&h IF I CHOSE TO ORDER THEM! SHE NEVER TOLD ME THAT MY CREDIT CARD WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE CHARGED FOR SOME CRAP I DIDN’T ORDER AND I DON’T WANT! SHE DIDN’T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT HAVING TO CALL AND CANCEL THE “SUPPLEMENTS” DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD OR ELSE THEY’D CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD!
To add such ridiculous nonsense to a program that seems like it’ll be helpful… It RUINS the whole thing! I will NOT give this company anything but negative feed back!! They SCAM you out of money behind the “Supplements”! They wont take the shipment back, they’ve already charged my credit card for one month & say they’re going to charge it for 2 more months too! So that’s $90 they’re SCAMMING/STEALING from me! I’m calling my bank right now and informing them that this company is a SCAM & Im refusing payment on the so-called”supplements” that they can shove up their rear!! IT’S A VERY SAD TIME WHEN YOU HAVE TO CHEAT PEOPLE IN LIFE IN ORDER TO RUN YOUR COMPANY! KARMA WILL CATCH UP WITH YOU CROOKED PEOPLE!
Beware the Midwest Center. My wife suffers from depression and anxiety, leading her to call and order this program. The main problem is the supplement pills. First, she cannot take these along with the current medication she is using. She was clear about this from the beginning. However, the Midwest Center continued to send the supplements and to charge our credit card for the next three months. We called today to ask that the shipments stop and to have no further charges to our credit card. The customer service representative who answered the phone mumbled terribly and was difficult to understand, to say the least. Then the supervisor we asked for talked in circles about the supplements — ignoring the repeated assertions that we made about my wife not being able to take the pills and refusing to stop the credit card charges. This, along with the supervisor’s personal “affirmation” about his sad life and how the program had helped him sleep better left me disgusted with this scam that preys on vulnerable people. The supervisor did a great job of reading from his script and in his robotic manner simply refused to acknowledge my complaint. These people are drinking the Kool-Aid. By the way, he even questioned a doctor’s judgment about the supplements — which are not FDA approved. We need to get the word out about scams such as this. Big promises, a lot of mindless talk about balance — and most importantly, significant charges to one’s credit card. They pretend to care, but it’s all about the money.
I tried the program & realized I spent 400 bucks on info contained free in the library or in a 20 dollar hard cover CBT book. The part about the “Midwest Center” that delighted me most was that they have a message board that they swear they cannot afford to moderate. That site has the sickest pod of trolls I’ve ever encountered. Trolls with 8, 10 user names not only doing usual troll mischief but attacking the vulnerable depressed & anxious posters with sick and crazy-making mind games. Good to see the Midwest Center thinks that no amount of stress is too good for the customers paying the bills.
I was going to call the number to enquire last night as it all sounded too much to be true but decided to research it on line first and wow am I thank full to all of you. Is there a way to collectively sue companies that due this as this is not the only bullshit on the TV, or better still start a centre brought together by people from around the world who have found ways and created support groups to help others regain their lives where it is supported by donations from people who find the new on line free help website helpful.
Would anyone live to help me set this up. I was bullied all my life and that is why I believe I suffer from bouts of depression and loneliness. I recently read a book on bulling that lifted my spirits and I realized that I was not the only one bullied in this world. Its just a little book on Amazon but a powerful one I keep it with me and look up my underlined page everyday and it really does help me to come back to the present and reality. Her name is Dr, Lisa Barrow, She teaches at Brock university in Niagara Canada.
In Darkness Light Dawns. Take a look it might help you she recently spoke at My Rotary club and many people spoke to her afterwards.
Wishing you all love to yourself and peace within it is your journey not the BS on the TV, Remember Heaven on earth is within you make it beautiful.
Carol Ann
Contact Carol Ann at
carol3lakebreeze@gmail.com to maybe set up a free website to help others, Just a thought.
Well, I got the program and really helped me a lot!!! I love this program, I think that the people that think that this is fraud are CRAZY and they really need help, people with depression and Anxiety always see the negative side of the things, so please fix your problems Crazy people, try something diferent for your lifes and then talk abouth something you have never tried!! PUTOS!
I can honestly say this program completely changed my life! I had been suffering with post traumatic stress syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks for 8 years!! I saw her infomercials on TV and thought I might as well try it! I was told by a couple doctors I would possibly be on medication for the rest of my life…and here I am medication free for almost 3 years, and I credit it all to this program! This program completely changed my thinking! I still have anxiety, but nowhere near what I used to experience! I lived in a petrified bubble, even afraid to leave my house! I was always worried about what people thought of me, and I was afraid I was going to ‘go crazy’! This program stopped all of that within the first couple weeks! Now when I start to feel anxious I no exactly what to do to help myself, and I can stop it from becoming a vicious, raging on-going cycle of panic! I would recommend anyone who has experienced anxiety to try this program, it takes a lot of time and effort, but it is so worth it!!
I totally understand how you feel. I bought the program about 10 years ago. I had my own business and became homebound. Paralized with fear of everything!. The tapes helped me tremendously! I am now able to get out and drive around town.. Even on intertate as long as im within city limits!… Crazy! cant explain either! Agoraphobia Sux! But I still cant get on interstate where there is five miles between exits! Im really stuck! but much better than I was. I used to could not go to malls or get stuck in a grocery line or even verbally order for myself at a restaurant. All that is secound nature now.
I did get help from the Center when nothing else worked. I called to order it again. It was the best money spent. Better than taking meds.
I got this program when I was at my wits end. I was on anti depressants , anti anxiety pills , high blood pressure pills and getting horrid migraines daily due to the stress. My doctor put me on meds because he didn’t know what else to do. I was killing myself with the stress. Well I got the program after seeing the infamercial . It sat on my dresser for weeks . I finally opened it and started listening, felt totally overwhelmed with it so I called to return it. I got a very kind lady to talk to and she did ask me why I wanted to return it and why I felt it wasnt working. I had to admit I really hadnt tried it I had listened to 3 cd’s that night and nothing changed. Imagine that 3 cd’s in 4 hours and my life wasnt turned around . We ended up talking for about a hour and she gave me suggestions on how to work through the program and concentrate on just one lesson, to take a week to two weeks per lesson or until I felt comfortable moving on to another. Well I did listen to the lessons 2 times a week , went through the guide book. I started seeing a change in my thinking and that I was smiling again. About two week later the same lady called me from the Midwest Center to see how I was doing. It was great to be able to talk to her again and say well I think this may be working. Long story short no the program didnt work at first but looking at it and not applying the tools , nothings going to work. I also was never told it was a “Cure” I was told it was tools and skills to help me take control of my anxiety and depression with which it has, and I was able to get off all the meds(chemicals) I was putting in my body. Granted not everyone will have the same results , we are not all the same , but if you dont try you will never know. As for the trial period I had passed mine by my doing not the companies , and they were still there to help and guide me to happiness. Do you think perhaps when you called in YOU were angry , upset , and unwilling to listen to the help they were more then willing to give. Im sure your going to think I work for them , the answer is no , but if I could , I surely would. I will never forget the time the lady took to show me she did care and to help me succeed in becoming the person I was before I was burdened with my anxiety. Nothing is going to cure or help everybody but you have to have an open mind for anything to work. Hell I was on pills that didnt work cuz my mindset was they wouldnt . What do you have to lose if you call before the trial is up. All I can say is Try it what do you have to lose .
Shame on Lucinda Bassett and her Midwest Center for preying on those who are in pain.
It was really hard to find an identifying phrase in their infomercial. I think that you could only find Midwest Center (kindof vague isn’t it) used once in it.
Make your money a different way. You disgust me.
I agree the price was high but I have to say…. it helped me. It was worth it. Those CD’s made me realize I wasn’t alone and I was feeling so alone before I listened to them I was afraid. Lucinda’s tools helped me to reduce my anxiety and stress. I use them often. Am I completely cured???? Hell no but I’m a lot better that I was at the beginning. I sometimes re-listen to the CD’s again to kind of “shore up” my skills and I feel improved. I was being sent the vitamins in the mail too but when I called to have them stoppe, the woman was very kind and did exactly what I asked. A person from the company even calld me a few weeks later to see how I was doing….I was thinking she was going to try and do a sales pitch on me but she didnt. I’m thankful I have the CD’s……. thanks Lucinda. Your help is appreciated. JOHN
I just was listening again to the tapes I purchasewd several yrs ago. I quickly remebered the feeling that These tapes are designed for housewifes/ women and as lucinda spoke about seemingly endlessly about PMS and how terrible men are,i remeber feeling that these tapes arent designed for me and the more I listened She reinforced this feeling. While im sure a few men might have found some relief again Ifeel these tapes are designed for stay at home wives and I wouldnt be suprised that this group found relief from these tapes
This is the BIGGEST rip-off ever. What’s sad is doing it under the impression of helping people, some of which this could on the verge of suicide. If Lucinda took people’s mental health as she is into screwing people over….maybe we could all get better. Have they threatened anyone else with sending you to a collection agency if you don’t allow them to charge you for a program you declined?
I bought the program from the Midwest Center and it worked perfect for me. Every week I started a new cd and was amazed! It was like they had lived my life. I lived with bad anxiety for over 40 years and realized that it was NOT something I would get over in a couple of days,weeks or months. It takes years to not go back to old behavior. The program saved my life! I am not sure about the people it does not work for but if you are convinced from the beginning that it will not work, then you probably should not buy it to start with. I know Lucinda repeats the fact that they offer a refund over and over again but it sounds like they do not want to give the money back easily. The stuff not ordered or not refunded is wrong on their part.
I used this program 16 years ago, recovered from a crippling anxiety disorder and have been free of it ever since. You cannot put a price on peace of mind. I would have paid $10,000 for this program because the place I am in now is one of happiness and confidence. If you tried this program and it did not work it is because you did not want to recover bad enough or you do not feel like you deserve to feel better. It is one or the other. You need to commit to doing the work. It is a self discovery program that YOU need to commit to and be accountable for. Period. It is shameful that one would take the time to bad mouth a program that one did not commit to. TRUST me. I am living proof. It works. I have passed these skills on to my children. Anxiety disorder will not be passed down to my family. The buck stopped here. God Bless Lucinda Bassett because she rocks!
I wish I knew a woman like Barbie back when I was still a little girl.
I mean how awesome would it so as to for just a gamer like myself playing his Xbox show up simply
being a typical kid. Sorry that led to a tangent, your post
Midwest Center for Fraud & Bullshit | The OCD Diaries actually was
super helpful there are changed the manner in which I
will for good play video games.
I bought the program and I LOVE it! I have been suffering with anxiety attacks for over 10 years now. At one point it was so bad I wouldn’t leave the house. I used to do stand up and then BAM! I was too afraid to go to the grocery store, let alone get up on stage. The panic attacks completely changed my life. For the worst. My husband married this strong, vibrant, self confident woman, and then one day that woman was gone. And in her place was a person who was afraid to leave the house without him there to support me when, not if, but when the panic attacks started. And they always did. I remember hiding out in a bathroom at an REI because I was too scared to come out of the stall because I was sure I was dying.
I tried endless medications and finally found one that worked. But that took 8 years! And even then I still had a high anxiety base. The tapes helped me because it was nice to hear other peoples experiences. I didn’t know anyone else who was going through what I was going through. I felt alone and unworthy of my husbands love. Even though he never once criticized me for it, or made me feel bad about it in any way. In fact he was/is beyond supportive. I even had trouble just driving down the street. My life pretty much sucked. But I listened to the tapes and one that really struck me was the scientific aspect of the problem. Adrenaline and Cortisol. So when I feel that out of control feeling I keep reminding myself that it’s not real. It’s just adrenaline and cortisol flooding through my system, and that no one has ever died from a panic attack. And it actually works to calm me down.
I now drive on the freeway. I am the cheer coach for my daughters school, Room Mom, write for two blogs, and have my own jewelry business. I have my life back. I’m not giving the tapes all the credit, because I worked my ass off! But they did help quite a bit in knowing I wasn’t alone in all of this.
Also, CD # 2 was cracked when I received them. I called the company and they sent me a new one free of charge. I didn’t want the vitamins, so I called the company and they stopped sending them to me. And I only had to call once. I never got the run around, and everyone was very pleasant.
I am VERY happy with my purchase. But everyone is different. If you don’t do the homework and fight for yourself, nothing is going to help you.
I agree with majority of the posts on here. The only success stories seem to be derived from people who just needed to hear they are not alone in this.
For Lucinda to have experienced such hardships and panic, I am rather surprised she doesn’t offer additional help to those who cant afford it.
I know when I’ve been on my hands and knees during an attack I would have begged to be free, and not wanted anyone else to experience such turmoil.
Everyone preaches that they have a “cure” yet, there a millions more Americans experiencing symptoms everyday.
I agree that this program is OUTSTANDING!! I purchased the program and it has completely helped me overcome my panic attacks and helped me deal with some extremely negative minded personas in my work and how to overcome them with POSITIVE THINKING!! SO heres cheers to this program and my 10o% gratitude for it!!
Thank You for offering this forum.
I generally ignore infomercials but the Midwest Center ad caught me late on a very depressed day.
Forunately my guard was up enough to not give any personal information to the operator. The hard sell there and the popup-rigged website are definite red flags.
What’s important to know is that Cognitive Therapy is an estabished technique, and the Midwest Center has no monopoly on it. Any legit therapist knows about it, and the self-help press has plenty of books based on it. David D. Burns is the phychologist who wrote the first books for the general public, and his bibliography (see his Wikipedia page) is an excellent place to start. A few bucks to your favorite bookseller beats $450 to hard sell artists any day.
I ordered this program online for a loved one. I also received “free” pills, which I did not want. A few weeks later, I received more pills, still listed as “free trial” on the packing slip. There was no monetary value mentioned whatsoever. However, even though it’s listed as “free”, your credit card gets zinged $28.90 a month for three months.
When I called to complain, I got the most ridiculous run-around. They said another order was coming and that it couldn’t be stopped, but that they’d kindly refund me $28.90 for the upcoming order. I’d already paid $86.70 for the previous “free trial” and was going to be billed another $86.70 for a package which I told them I didn’t want. So, no, $28.90 was not going to cut it. I asked if I could fax them my packing slip so they could see where it says, “Free Trial” but was told, “No, we realize that’s what it says, but it’s really not free. Someone should have explained that to you when you called to order….Oh, you ordered online?…..Well, you should have read the fine print.”
I conceded that there probably was some fine print I should have scrutinized a bit more, but why in the world would I be getting charged for something that they clearly say is free?
I asked to talk with someone at the corporate office and they said that they don’t talk with the corporate office at all and that any communication they have with them is through email. Seriously?
Each person I talked to offered me a different “deal”. Well, the first person was quite rude and said that there would be no refund. The second person said they’d refund me $28.90. The third person said they’d refund me $74.85. How are they even coming up with these numbers?
It’s rare that I am so furious with a company. At this point, I could care less if the program works or doesn’t work. Even if it cured the world of all anxiety and stress, this business is scamming people out of money.
I just saw this and almost called but decided to search it out! I forsure am not trying this! ThankYou
Although not acure it certainly helps…Try the herbal vitamin called Skull Cap..it works amazing as far as keeping you calm without being all out of it and medicated! I only need to take it about an hour or so prior to a situation or possible onset! I love it and can function alot better:) I am not sure if men can use it? I don’t see why not but I hope it’s helpful! And it only cost about 15 dollars at the health food store. In Canada anyway! Good luck
I just went out and bought the book (on sale for $4.99) and it helps me a lot. Probably wouldn’t spend the money on the CDs, the book has plenty of info.
Called the 800 number after having a sleepless night. The man who answered the call first asked my name, phone # and my email address so that they could send me some “links”. Then he asked me how long I was struggling with anxiety or depression. I answered and realized he had already hung up. Obvious scam to sell my phone # and email address.
It makes me sad that so many don’t have faith in this program. It literally saved my life. Therapy didn’t work, but practicing the exercises and following this program religiously truly changed my thought patterns and pulled me out of a terrible, 6-year long haze that I thought wasn’t ever going to end. It truly is a LOT of work and very time-consuming if you’re doing it right. And I made it through all of the tapes and still felt like I wasn’t “healed”…but a couple months later, I started to feel the changes and make the good the focus of my days. I never thought I’d get back to having normal days that weren’t clouded by my thoughts, but this program made it possible.
OK I just called and talked to a guy at the 800 number.
I wanted to hear what they had to say and how much it costs. I was questioned and or pre-screened. I could tell my answers would be used later in the conversation or sales pitch.
Then when the pitch began he indicated that I had nothing to lose. I told him to recall that he asked earlier if I was unable to work due to this situation, so I didn’t have that much money ($300). He then went into an aggressive challenge stating that it was my negative thinking at work again and that I would never get better until I made a decision to act.
I told him I was interested but it was just irresponsible for me to try a program I could not pay for. At that point he softened and told me to just try it out because it would change my life and ALL I had to do was pay $14.95. He then went on to say that if I had financial difficulties that I could call them back and they commonly work out financial arrangements.
When I questioned what kind of arrangement could be made he accused me of being uncommitted. At that point he told me I was not ready and would just send me some papers in the mail.
I’m glad I didn’t order it from him after reading this site (and another). I really don’t need the hassle of dealing with charges like others have faced.
I am still somewhat interested though. I looked just now and saw it on amazon for $99 and then ebay for about $50. I know it would not work for everyone, but I’m more inclined to try it out for $50.
i’m watching the infomercial right now and it sounds JUST like all my symptoms… but after reading everyones comments, it’s a thumbs down. please reply with what works for you.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This
is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
You want Lucinda Bassett’s secrets? Here they are:
1. Brainwash yourself into seeing yourself as the slimiest excuse for a subhuman that ever existed.
2. Brainwash yourself into extreme, mega-ultra-self-disgust. You are at fault; you are to blame; it’s all always your fault, you worthless scum-slime piece of garbage.
3. Accept how *evil* you have been to have depression and anxiety. Evil because you don’t slavishly conform.
4. Change who you are, because who you are right now is so monstrous that the world would be infinitely better had you been an abortion. You have a duty to the rest of the world to slavishly, mindlessly conform. GET TO IT, NOW!!!!!
5. Pretend that this is somehow positive affirmation.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been working in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Fields for almost 20 years. I have also suffered with Major Depression for 40 years since the age of 15. This is what I know about Severe Depression and I think everyone, not only those that suffer with this destructive and debilitating illness, should know this info – 1. Mild to moderate depression is more treatable by psychotherapy, medication, consistent exercise and diligently working on CBT to extricate one’s self from automatic negative thinking than more severe forms of Depression. 2. If a person has one episode of unipolar depression (as opposed to bipolar depression) and they eventually have another episode, the likelihood of having more episodes continues to multiply each time a new episode begins and will probably evolve into a chronic lifelong struggle with depression. 3. Roughly 30- 40% of individuals with severe depression will be treatment refractory, ie, treatment resistant. This means that no treatment method, or combination of methods will provide the person with a substantial diminishment of symptoms. These will be the people that will suffer throughout their lives with depression increasingly consuming their lives, often to such an extent that most will be unable to work, to enjoy even the simplest pleasures in life, to nurture any of their relationships, to become divorced and/or emotionally disconnected from their significant others, and finally, to successfully complete a suicide attempt. 4, People living with a chronic severe depression, especially males, are at a greater risk for using and abusing substances, including alcohol, as a means of attempting to self-medicate their moods, especially the unrelenting feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, deep and disturbing sadness, and the lowest and most shameful self-esteem imaginable. Of course, as with any substance, this use may provide short-term temporary relief, but, without a doubt, continued use will only worsen one’s depression, and, make it more likely that the person will resort to self-harm. 5. There is much more info that the average person should know about not only re: depression, but about all other mental and emotional disorders. Our society continues to stigmatize those that are experiencing a mental illness as being, ‘weak, inadequate, unworthy, and malingerers’. What these illnesses do is create an irrational internal environment in which the individual suffering from the disorder exhibits outward symptoms that are antithetical to our notions and beliefs about what it means to be healthy. We see the symptoms – the isolating from others; the mounting school and work absences and decline in productivity; an inability to relate in even the most basic social settings; and, the loss of hope and desire – and decide that the person is ‘crazy’, is lazy, is emotionally unstable, and, more than anything else, makes us feel uncomfortable being around them. So, we brand them as losers and lost causes and we also use them as easy excuses for own shortcomings and mistakes (especially at work). I’ll say this; battling this illness is the toughest fight most anyone will have to fight in their lives. It takes, courage, perseverence, the ability to pick yourself up daily when every nerve and muscle in your body is screaming for you to give up, to stay down. We have a warped and childish notion of what heroism is in this country b/c it seems most of our ‘heroes’ carry weapons and kill others, whether or not the killing is justified. The most heroic and genuine people I’ve ever met in my life are, a) those who live their lives in peace, treat others with compassion and humility, and work tirelessly to assist others in bettering the quality of their lives, and, b) those that struggle with chronic, severe depression (and other serious mental illnesses), year after year after year, and somehow find the strength to arise in the morning, knowing that nothing will be easy and simple, and that regardless of the external events of their day, they will retire at night feeling maybe worse than when they first awoke, hope that they will never awaken, and finally, arise the next morning and face another day of pain, struggle, suffering, feelings of shame, worthlessness and inadequacy – because that’s what we all, don’t we, just trying to survive the best we can – until we die, and the struggle is no more. So, the issue that I have with the Midwest Center is that it makes it appear that anxiety and depression are really only minor debilitations and that ‘overcoming’ them is only a matter of time and effort. No one that understands the destructive toll that these illnesses cause for individuals and their families would concoct such a TV advert that somehow seems to equate ‘recovery’ with all of the other shoddy scams that only run in the middle of the night. We, as humans, afflicted with these deadly illnesses, deserve so much more and better, in every aspect.
This program saved my life! Everyday I am so grateful that my best friend saw this infomercial and told me about it – best money I ever spent! Learning to manage anxiety and depression is a process – it takes hard work and dedication. The program offers you what most mental health experts offer individuals experiencing anxiety and mild to moderate depression – cognitive and behavioural therapy. Its not some magical solution, its do it yourself therapy. If the program doesn’t work for you – its not the program…. its you – perhaps you aren’t ready, or perhaps you’re experiencing something beyond the scope of cognitive behavioural therapy… like OCD, as you mentioned. Trying to tie the unfortunate, heart breaking, untimely death of David Bassett to the effectiveness of this program is not only distasteful and insensitive but an obvious result of miseducation and misinformation. For someone to be so desperate that they take their own life, they are suffering from a level of depression that surpasses any form of cognitive behavioural therapy alone. In these instances even high doses of medication are sometimes ineffective.
For people that are thinking of buying this program – it worked for me. I feel fabulous and I love life – yes I still have to manage anxiety and mild depression at times but it doesn’t bother me anymore. This program worked for me and I’m so happy. What you might notice is that the people that have left negative comments here are NOT happy, they are not content and they have very negative attitudes. If they don’t change this aspect of themselves its no wonder they did not respond to the program. Just try it!
Rosanne is right on target! I agree with every word. She said it so well!
The program helped me and I am ever so glad I had it when I needed it! It was worth every penny! Every body is not the same. Why do people have to be so negative and critical? And negative people are not happy. The program, when people work with it, can help change negative attitudes. But some people refuse to listen. Perhaps Mr. Basset was one of those kinds of people. Lucinda Basset is not responsible for her husband’s mental health. Anyway, the program does work when a person works with it!
I called the # and Google’s while they started doing exactly what 4/4 of the previous posts stated. I hung up and am praying the email and phone calls don’t start.
I have found The Bible a better book. AND IT HELP ME FOR REAL!!!
I’ve lived with an anxiety/panic disorder ever since I was eight, and done everything to fight the daily struggle I live with. Thanks for the review; I’m kinda desperate for a little help right now, and I just saw the ad on TV for this. No one understands these types of disorders until they or someone they love has to learn to cope with it. I’ve never tried this, but regardless of whether the program works or not, shame on them for causing stress on people that surely have enough on their plates.
In 1996, I purchase Lucinda Basset’s book, “From Panic to Power.” I also purchased the book-on-tape version (which I later gave away). I found the book itself to be extremely helpful for my situation. I worked through a lot of my anxiety issues with the help of her book and always carried around index cards with phrases from the book to keep me grounded in reality. I did not purchase these items directly from the Midwest Center, but through Amazon.com. In my experience, it took a lot more than just reading a book or listening to tapes to help me, but the lesson I learned here is that it does not matter how many books you buy or drugs you are prescribed, there is a lot of self-talk and ‘mind’ work that I had to do on my own. There is no ‘miracle’ cure, and 17 years later I have learned to cope and deal with my anxiety because of this book. I strongly recommend that if anyone truly wants help and wants to save money, buy the book from Amazon.com (new or used !) and work your own program… “one day at a time”, and on occasion, one minute at a time.
just finished reading all the posts. I think Chris (1/7/13) nailed it. “until we die and then the struggle is no more”
I have to disagree with all the negative comments, as this program literally saved my life. We are in control of our own lives and to make this program a success you and only you have to do the work. I took this program 18 years ago. I grew up anxious, had panic attacks daily and was agoraphobic………..would not even go to my mailbox. So, in my opinion, the people commenting negatively, are looking for an easy way out and don’t want to change the behaviours which are creating their circumstances. There are reasons why we repeat things over and over again. What are you getting out of your behaviour? Maybe it’s the attention you receive, as many people who suffer from this emotional disorder love the “pity party.”
Receiving medication in the mail is just not cool- whether they’re placebos or vitamins or whatever. Chris
got cut off there. Chris is right. Find the right therapist. It takes time. Some of us need therapy and meds. I borrowed this program from someone who gave it up. I got hip to this program when Lucinda started ranting on the Catholic faith. She states that some 60% of agoraphobics are Catholics. Where did she get that statistic? Stop hatin’ on my beautiful faith. People use the church as a punching bag for their own problems from a strange up-bringing, to what they think the church is about, or what one person in the church has done wrong. Help is out there for our problems. Seek a good therapist. Have faith in God and yourself. Exercise. Eat right. Be mindful of others. Live in moderation and seek joy!
I actualy returned the program within just a few days and was still charged $50 the first month. Sad realy, that a company would knowingly take advantage of those who are already fragile. Also, I’ve never been treated worse by a company when I’ve called to question them. I’ve been hung up on and spoken to disrespectfully. Way to help me with my anxiety and depression assholes.
Thanks for sharing your insight. It’s more helpful than most of these scam programs.
The fact is: Depression, anxiety and other “mental” illnesses are not mental, they’re physical illnesses. It’s not just thoughts in your head and no one can “talk” you out of being sick anymore than they could talk you out of having a heart attack. Counseling and self help programs may help you cope, but they are not a cure.
I have not tried the product yet; however my mother purchased several years ago and didn’t use. She passed along to me to use and I have now had it for years and not used. I dragged it out tonight as I am back to a place I need help. I think the original post was truthful as one thing doesn’t work for all. I appreciate those that have shared – apparently the program works for some and it doesn’t work for others. Depression is hard and it is a life long journey living with it and through it. I’ve had many years of counseling, medications, in patient and out patient care and had finally got to a point in my life I can honestly be happy quite a bit of the time; however there are lingering habits, negative thoughts and still an extremely low self esteem that I need to conquer. I’m going to take a shot at this program. I’ve tried tons of things – one including hypnosis. When the hypnotist finally told me I was still struggling with too many demons (well they didn’t say demons but that is what they are) that I needed to focus on all the negative thoughts and try to find the root of them all as hypnosis wouldn’t help until I could get to the core of the thoughts. Well that was over a year ago and I never followed through with their suggestions. Decided it was pointless. But I’m ready to try again – not hypnosis (as that was for my weight – but ultimatly my weight is much due to my depression). So I’m hoping I’m one of the ones this works for. If not I’ll find something – for any of us who want to get better keep searching until we find the answer. Unfortunatly I’ve learned after dealing with my depression and really trying to overcome it for 20 years that it is a life long journey and there is always something that needs to be improved upon. But saying that makes me realize that really anyone – whether they suffer from depression or not – has a life long journey of changing and just about anyone can benefit from actively changing for the good. I tend to forget that and think I’m not ‘normal’ because of my disease. When really I’m probably ahead of others because I see my faults and want to correct them.
I have family who have used the program and had a great experience with it and as a budding therapist interested in CBT and always looking for ways to help the anxiety in my own home I purchased a new set off ebay (it wasn’t even opened yet) for 80 bucks. Clearly folks who are desperate wont wait around for a good deal but for those of you who can be a little patient (I know, I know, I’m actually not one of them either…I just got lucky) just go to ebay and amazon and avoid working with the Midwest Center all together. Best of luck to everyone.
I cannot believe all these negative comments from this site. I got this program years ago and it was wonderful! no meds the doctors put me on even came close to helping me.. I dont know what was going on with Lucindas husband and why he killed himself but am sure his problems were alot more severe than anyone knew,, and to slam this program becouse he died I dont feel is right. Mental health can be very tricky, sometimes we cuase alot of our own fears and many times the brain is not functioning correctly.. I would heartly reccomend the Midwest Center Program, not everything works for everyone.. you really need to keep that in mind, I never had an issue with anyone there , they were always helpful. I can sit here n say, after many years of being unable to get off my sofa, becouse my anxiety was so bad in 1 week I was able to drinve again, I am not “cured” from all my anxieties but my quality of life has improved alot. I have learned how to deal with issues better. I realize your posting this site to give your opinon on how the whole program and company impacted your life so please be fair and let us who had a GOOD and SATISFYING tell our positive story on Midwest center. I am sorry it did not help you, but it has helped others!
I was able to purchase the tapes, etc from Amazon for $100. You don’t need to work with the Midwest Center. So far it has been practical, and is helping me self talk my way out of Anxiety, at least helping me think through things. I was curious about Lucindas story, so I looked on the internet. I feel VERY bad for her loosing her husband, she has been through a lot. I read somewhere they lost the business, does anyone know the story behind that, who is the owner, and how does that work with her on the tapes, etc.?? I plan on continuing the the tapes… It has some very practical approchaches that might help me. Just wondering the situation of her and the company, as I listen to the tapes.
Human beings are free moral agents. That being said that even God who has the power to create the universe cannot “make” anyone do anything they do not want to do. If you do not believe in God, then Donald Trump, Oprah, Dr. Oz, his buddy Phil, Buddha, a higher power, any given Psychiatrist, you name it no one has the power. No One But You. Many people need help, by all means help them, but if you try to help them you are responsible for the effort not the outcome. If you need help seek it to the best of your ability. If it does not work try something or someone else. No one has the perfect solution or answer not even folks who we deem to be “Experts”. If we had the answer to all of life’s problems who would we need? My help has come in many forms. This company allowed me to pay less for my program because that was what I could afford. It was for my son with Autism. We utilized what worked and disregarded the rest. I believe her heart is in the right place but when you corporatize everything and folks with marketing degrees get involved, many times things go sideways. Gee just think about churches and religion. Many things have gone haywire on the sideway’s train since he walked on this earth that Jesus is most likely shaking his head at. Put humans in charge and we have the potential to mess up even the most pure idea big time! The disciples were screw ups and look who they hung out with? Tony Dungy’s son committed suicide. Many people look to Tony for guidance and respect him yet he could not prevent this tragedy. Woulda coulda shoulda I am pretty sure he tried to help his son.
In my opinion, the people who are making negative comments did not complete the program and wanted a quick fix. They are afraid of change and don’t want to leave their comfort zone, no matter how much they hate it. And they won’t want to admit it, but they are getting something out of their condition………attention, pity etc. I took the program 19 years ago and it was literally my lifesaver. I had panic attacks everyday, was depressed and was agoraphobic. I would not even leave my house. I have been panic attack free since taking the program and now own my own business………………and NO, I did not take any medication, just worked very hard on myself.
Lol @ train wreck Americans who fall for this scam. Disgusting they prey on vulnerable morons, but hey that’s America and Americans for you. These posts are hilarious….self absorbed Americans adding money stress to their obese indulged emotionally stunted lives. If you buy stuff off late night tv you’ve only got yourselves to blame.
Well my case is different i was 16 when i heard the commercial on the radio about anxiety and depression i wanted to try the free trail so they sent me a tape later on that week i had went out of town with my family for my birthday when i came back a month later i had got a package at the post office from them i told my mom i did not order this nor confirmed the order. And we called they said its to late to return and that i hace to pay $500.00 my mother told them i was underage and they werent suppose to do that but now they fucked up my credit i threw that dumd ass bbitch tapes out shes going to burn in hell.
I almost called to order the “free” Cd, but I wanted to research the company first, and I found this site. Thank you so much for saving me from a potentially stressful situation.
This is bullshit! I talk to someone who sounds like she’s from India and keeps telling me everything I know about depression and asking me very personal questions, then asked for my credit card for S & H for $1.00? WTF!!! If this is that good then send me the free CD without being questioned for 20 minutes and send it FREE!!!!! I’m suffering more from depression from all this bullshit about the fucking CD!!!!!
Yes! Finally something about cheap shoes.
I am so damn fustrated with the midwest center experience, i can even see straight. looked at my bank statement chargers to the tune of 365.00. i had gone to the postbox to pick my mail and there was a big box from them. call my bank to dispute chargers, went to post office and said “RETURN TO SENDER”. Darn it i order a cd not the rest of this crap. what was that box i do not know. i sent here to vent i forgot the company’s went to get 14.95 unopened CD and its pills. i don’t want NY MORE DAMN PILLLS. MUST GO I AM TO MAD TO TALK. THIS IS NOT OVER I WANT MY MONEY BACK, IN WHICH THEY HAVE REFUSED
sorry for so many misspellings. i just reported Midwest to the BBB
You get what you put into it. I’m hearing all kinds of stuff about how bad it is. How many of these people actually went thru the entire program, did the work they were asked to do and were willing to he honest about their life situation. Sounds like a lot of people don’t want to be responsible for themselves and their depression/anxiety and are looking for a quick fix. There isn’t any. Lucinda Bassett has tried to approach it differently than most established sources, ie. therapists, clinics, psychiatrists with whom you’ll spend years in therapy and buy lots of drugs … who’s making money then? And way more than $300. If you do the work, the program is effective depending on your level of depression and anxiety. If you need heavy meds, then Lucinda’s program can still be helpful. Remember, the results you get are dependent on your desire to get better and the effort and courage you put into it. And be aware this program may not work for everyone. Be willing to start by pointing the finger at yourself.
SCAM. I signed on for the tapes and have found them informative. However, the way the Midwest Center SCAMS the consumer on the supplements takes all credibility away! They say you can cancel within 14 days but the clock starts immediately and you don’t get the product for 10 days. And the nice person you place the order with doesn’t give you the cost of the charges only that there’s a free trial with your order. But the sarcastic person you try to cancel the order with sure has no problem telling you how much you are being ripped off for! How have they gotten away with it all these years??? CONSUMER BEWARE!
All I can say is the program worked for me, big time!!! I followed it exactly as suggested, and yes it was a lot of work, but it was well worth every penny for me. So, sorry to hear it didn’t work for others. I guess it’s like many other therapy, coaching, self-help modalities there are so many variables as to what will work for someone.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can
do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog.
An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
At this moment I am going away to do my breakfast,
once having my breakfast coming yet again to read further news.
Hi! I’ve bought this program became I’m studying this genre of programs because well, my goal is to become a therapist myself and to assist suicidal individuals as well as generally depressed people, people with eating disorders, terminally ill people, and those who are catatonic and those with PTSD. Etc… I’ve had issues with anxiety and “low self-esteem” which is a broad term which is used by the masses to make money. Anyway I don’t think low self-esteem isn’t the problem. It’s just obvious that anxiety/depression occurs when things go wrong and the degree doesn’t matter. I actually purchased the program w/a student loan because I needed something CBT related to use as a reference. Since I wondered if this program could work for others I told them that I was buying for someone else I figured it’d cost a butt-load of cash. So, paid for the whole thing up front, (because it was a necessity for school anyway) Anyhow the whole is to test just how accurate these things could be. When I first saw this infomercial on late night TV I just figured it was another self-esteem program and yet if this thing truly worked I’d be put off a career a field, just as those k-12 online schools for public school teachers/Gerson therapy for oncologists. Ironically, some of the “program” has worked out for me like the vitamins that I’m becoming dependent on those (sleeping ones) facing my fear and using my own Adriane to complete tasks or not worrying about things that are out of my control. This could be common sense or the work of studies done by actual mental health professionals. But these techniques resemble those of humanistic psychology i.e. how some of those “quick “memory “programs from infomercials resemble the techniques of Ebbinghaus and John Thorndike. Now I’ve been looking into different programs for quite some time programs from individuals such as: The Psychology of Winning, One Day My Soul Opened Up, Best Wishes, and the infamous Gerson Miracle. Some top names to throw around are: Louise Hay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Iyvana Vandergalt from “Iyvana Fix, life” and of course Lucinda Basset. I’ve also had my fortune told by Tara/Maria who uses e-mail fortunes w/fear modeling . When I was depressed as a teen I had a nut psychologist who believed in Gerson therapy & emotional abuse w/implanted memories. If this sounds at all familiar, I would like you to e-mail me about similar experiences and or concerns or tweet us: @poi23-Thank you.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and
reporting! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to my personal blogroll.
This is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate info… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
My life turned to sh** the day of my birth – in a nut shell, my mother enjoyed beating me up for may years and used emotional tactics to further drill me into submission. I definitely have been having fun trying to regain some form of normality in my life with great difficultly trying various treatments and self help. All I can say to you all is this- depression?- special gift? Would it be amazing if this disease we all have was some sort of life changing sign/defence mechanism telling us, “hey guys place close attention, I’m coming rock your world and if you come out a live after I finish with you, then you will have achieved a glorious state of mind”. I see lots of so called normal people out there, and believe me, l’d rather have this depression pushing me to really find out who l truly am and why we must persevere. Your friend.
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site
with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and
will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and great design.
Telemarketing King David Bassett
http://m.toledoblade.com/local/2007/04/01/Empire-of-telemarketing-calls-northwest-Ohio-home.html
I used the program as did my mother and neice with amazing results. Lucinda’s program saved my life, no if and or butts about it. It is her program to charge what she wants to and for those who have anxiety/depression worth it. how much do phy. charge? I went to the dr. to have a check up and such before I heard of this program..It cost me over $300. and guess what? All she did was throw meds at me that didnt work only made it worse!!! i refused them after that!! The staff at the center were wonderful Ijoined an on line forum and when they hadnt heard from me in a couple weeks they called to make sure I was alright. There was never any pressure from them for me to buy in the first place, they qualify you by seeing how bad your anxiety and/or depression is, and if they believe that the program will work for you and if not they try to give you resources that could help. One size doesnt fit all, but dont go bashing her because it didnt work for you. free enterprise. And just so you know, vitimins can and often does help with anxiety.
Lucinda Bassett’s program saved my life.
Says free cd. All they wanted was my credit card info. Not free. I hing up.
I couldn’t say whether or not this is or is not a scam. Like a lot of other people, I heard Ms. Bassett on late night informercials. At the time, I was going through a lot of crap in my life. My partner had left me – she didn’t want to be tied down to someone with chronic health issues (orthopedic)… I became disabled… So I went from two incomes to one, and then to social security which means living worse than a pauper. (Still am!) Panic sets in when you realize no matter how you do the math, you cannot pay your bills.
Call me a snob – but coming from a “lofty” (lolz) professional place, what bothered me was the complete lack of any professional credentials on their part. Ms. Bassett wasn’t a PhD or MSW… Yes, I’m aware that there are plenty of successful self help groups such as AA – but AA is free. It occurred to me that one should not be forking out a bucket of money to people whose only qualification appears to be the ability to create slick informercials.
I don’t blame any of the victims who were scammed. For me, this is a situation of caveat emptor if ever there was one!
As for David Bassett’s suicide – I can’t be cynical about that. I recall the suicide of one guy – he and his wife were both successful therapists. (She might even have been a psychiatrist – as in MD). She never saw it coming. Many of us become very good at masking our own pain.
As for the business model of duping desperate people out of their money – highly unethical but hardly unique. That’s how capitalism made the 1% obscenely rich, folks! It’s how the poor are screwed every day in our world.
Lucinda actually put a lot of valuable information into this program.
I admire her and the work she did. I think her intentions were good and she is knowledgeable on the subjects she addresses. In many areas she just doesn’t go deep enough.
Whoever marketed “Attacking Anxiety” took advantage of Lucinda’s personal experience and her good idea and marketed it in the hopes of making a lot of money. I don’t think that was Lucinda’s intent for her program.
The program is good. It doesn’t offer all a person needs to know to recover but it is $425 worth of information that can be very helpful.
I also sent for this miracle working CD from Lucinda in a desperate time in my life at least 15 years ago and received this big box and did not use or open, sent back within proper time frame by “return to sender” and low and behold I am being billed for $626.15 NOW!!! I cannot believe it! I sent them a letter to dispute as it just popped up on my credit report as well and they have the audasity to ask me for proof that it was sent back? DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND RETURN TO SENDER!!
15 years ago and then it surfaces? UNBELIEVABLE SCAM
I found this program on an infomercial in 1993–I ordered it and did exactly as they instructed and actually went through it twice. I was a mess for almost 20 years before this program and found no relief from doctors, therapists, etc. I have been panic and anxiety free ever since doing this. I have since spoke to a few other’s that also had the program but only did two or three tapes, or didn’t even try it and had no success. I was determine when I purchased them because I had tried everything else I could–It was a God send for me and my family!
I called the hotline after seeing the infomercial on TV. Talked to a gentleman who was kind and courteous (That’s How they get you). I told him that I was skeptical and then I gave in and told him that I only authorize the $14,95 shipping charge and nothing else should be charged on my card. I received the package but unfortunately I had surgery and was in a recovery period. I called yesterday to return the product and they told me I was outside my trial period and I couldn’t return it. I explained to them I had surgery and wasn’t able to return to call to get a RMA. I told them I do not authorize any payments on my CC and they said that I am obligated to keep the product and pay for it. I told them that I didn’t even open the package and that I was going to return to sender. She said that I could send it back but there would be a &69.00 restocking fee and if it was later than 28 days it would be a$99.00 restocking fee. I again told her that I do not authorize my CC told be charged and asked to speak to a supervisor. I got on the phone with the supervisor and she said she wanted to review my initial call when I ordered the product as I told her I thought it was a 30 day trial period. She came back and said that I agreed to the terms and that I owe the money of $300. I explained to her that I had surgery and was in a recovery period and I didn’t even open the package. I told her I do not authorize any payments on my CC. She started to get nasty and disrespectful to me as I told her that I was going to send it back. She said that if I send it back to sender that it will just keep coming back to me. I told her that your product is to help with stress, anxiety, and depression and that the way she is treating me and conducting business is exactly the opposite. She told me that if I stopped payment on my CC that she would turn me in to a collection agency. She was very rude and disrespectful. I got so pissed on how she was talking to me I told her to send me to a collection agency and do what she had to do but I was not keeping her product and sending it back to them and hung up.
People who are desperate are very, very vulnerable. When you’re so consumed in anxiety and depression you’ll do whatever is in your reach to try and numb the pain. This is where the wolves come out to feast on your vulnerability. Taking advantage of people they know will be easy pickings. Making grand claims in ads hoping to hook someone and run away with their cash. It’s a lot like the way all spiritualist (psychics) do business. By preying on vulnerable people who they know will shell out the cash for “answers” they hope will ease the mental pain some.
I have OCD/anxiety ever since I was a child. Eight years of catholic school caused me SO much emotional pain and paved the way for a lifetime of psychological issues. I’m 46 and have been to doctors and therapists aplenty. Many thousands of dollars spent on meds that didn’t help and some really weird therapists!
I’m able to muddle through life (issues included) and the older I get the more content I become. I know my life will pass in a couple of decades or so, and I fear not death because I know for fact that there is nothing beyond this life. Death is like taking sleeping meds and lapsing into a deep, deep, glorious slumber and never, ever waking up again. Now that’s a nice thought.
Up in the night … as usual. Seen the infomercial. Decided to Google Midwest Center instead of calling for the “FREE” cd So glad I ran into this site first. Thanks for the straight forward opinions from all
I am desperate to find help for my 20 year old daughter who has terrible anxiety and depression. Thank you for this information and I hope everyone finds the peace of mind they are searching for. I too was going to call for the free CD. Thank you again.
This program saved my life!! People who are leaving negative comments most likely did not give this program time to work. Of course its going to cause anxiety at first, they even tell you that on the tapes. Talking about things we don’t like to talk about can do that. Please try it! It does work!!
Well….I hear that a lot of people are upset about this program….well for starters, I returned the program on time and got my full refund. I made sure I knew when the due date was…..but not before burning every CD:) (I was really poor at the time) And they let me keep the book. I have several copies of the program. And…when I returned the program, they dropped the price down to 100 bucks. That is what most aseenontv things do, they dont want you to return it, so they drop the price. That being said….the program changed my life, not because I wanted it to fix me, but because I wanted to change. I made a decision to change my thought pattern and my deeply set, hereditary and environmental anxiety. I still have to fight it…because its 20 years of conditioning…that takes conscience effort to change. And if you go through the whole program…it makes sense. Those of you who are upset…sounds like you didnt listen to each tape three times a week and do the homework. Its work….and even to this day I have to pull out the program and listen to it again. I understand your upset about the fine print….but you cant blame being anxious on not making sure you knew when your cut off day was. That is exactly the kind of displacement that makes you anxious. Blame everything and everyone else for your anxiety instead of facing it, owning it, and making a change. Most people dont WANT to change. Well, then go take some prozac and live on that forever. BTW, they arent against taking medications as our author wrote. They believe that you can ween yourself off of them, and if you need meds to make it out of your black hole? Well they encourage doing what will be the most effective for your recovery. And for her husband…well I just found out on here. But that doesnt change the fact that her program is solid. Shes saying what a lot of other physiologists say, just same same but different. She just put it in a comprehensive program. And her husband…well we know men have a tendency to hold all their feelings in. He might have had her fooled….who knows. It shouldnt change the facts….cognitive and physiological therapy’s are VERY effective method for treating anxiety and depression.
I just called to get the free cd. In the end of the interview I unfortunately learned that if your condition has ruined you financially, that there is no help for you. I have no credit card, no checking account and no health insurance. I know that’s no one’s Problem but my own, but I wish that I had known that before I called to save me the further disappointment. The representative suggested I borrow from a family member but I don’t have anyone. I’m completely on my own. I’ve lost my mom and grandmother both over the past two years and they were all I had. So what hope do I have?
Lucinda’s husband was suffering from psychosis. This condition is a FAR cry from anxiety and depression. So often people haven’t heard the entire story and make pretty insensitive speculative comments. Lucinda’s program has done so much good in my life, I wish her peace and a happy life after everything she has been through. Read “Truth Be Told” it’s a great read.
I used the program years ago for free because I sent it back in time. I had all 15 videos on e-mail and referred back to them quite often for several years. After a while I wasn’t able to play them. Lucinda was a calming and hopeful source in my life when I needed help and direction. Maybe I feel this way because it was free. I just heard about her husband when I was thinking about her and put her name in google. What a tragic thing to happen. Suicide. What goes through peoples minds? Always reach out and try to help someone, you never know.
Did anyone who could not get a refund threaten them with legal action? Or think to call the Attorney General in The center’s state. Or the media. Pay just lay down and take this crap. If it was me I’d have double my money back in 2 weeks.
I also have the program of cd’s and written material. I have enjoyed the program, although the Midwest Center automatically signed me up for some kind of “medical discount club” and without my knowledge was taking $40 out of my account every month! For 8 months! Yes, it is partly my fault for not catching it sooner, but when I called about it I was told, pretty much, too bad. I definitely take this as a life lesson and will be more careful in the future if ordering anything online or from t.v.!
I don’t know how you live with yourself, God has a special place for people like you. I will pray for you even thought you took advantage of a mentally ill person,Me You should be ashamed in the worst way, By the way your cd’s suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
I have the cassette tapes the whole program. Does someone want them? I tried so many anti depressants, I finally found one that works. 0 side effects. Changed my life. I don’t care how much you read or do if you have a chemical imbalance you need the hormones. It is only 10.00 for 3 months. A far cry from 450.00
Call your credit card company and complain, people. They can help stop the charges to your card and will credit your account for whatever amount they have bilked you. This is always true of any purchases. You don’t have to be scammed, you have recourse!!
I bought this program in 2004. It is great. I think it teaches life skills that should be taught to all people whether or not they have anxiety &/or depression. I got CDs & did not try to return, so did not have a problem there. I’m sorry for all the vitamin problems too, because that wasn’t an issue for me either. I also did not order from an infomercial, but found out about the program by searching the web. It seems like the way some of the business aspects are currently set up may not be the best, but this would make me want to contact the company about changing their order process, not say the program is a scam because it’s not. I’m sorry some of you feel like they used your kids against you to try to get you to order. I would not see that as them trying to high pressure sell to you. I think they actually care, even about your kids, who are surely affected by your anxiety &/or depression. They truly believe this program could help you & have experience dealing with negative-minded fearful people, therefore, strongly try to encourage you to get the help that could change your life & your family’s life. Finally, I want to add that I don’t work for the company, I do trust in Jesus (but these tools helped me too), and I’m sorry for Lucinda’s loss of her husband. I don’t think his death reflects negatively on the company because we all have free will & it is ultimately up to us if we use the tools at our fingertips. Oh, & I believe I remember Lucinda saying MOST people will not need medication. Maybe her husband did. I pray you all find peace.
This program saved my life. I called about the free cd and it was sent to me.. I liked it and so I paid for the program..it was sent to me…what is the problem?? I cried every day for months because docs gave me some huge amount of xanax and it made me loopy as shit and messed me up….I didn’t need pills..I needed a chiropractor. Thats it. I have a subluxated rib (as diagnosed by a medical doc later) that made it hard for me to breathe…but if you go to a doc and say u cant breathe…if they see no problem they give you pills so they can give you SOME diagnosis…for thier report…been told that by my doc…. I took their pills and they made me feel crazy… BOOM…anxiety. I already HAD OCD..that was nothing new. Those pills made things severe. My anxiety was through the roof!! This program…….since I paid attention and did things as instructed…made my life amazing. Call it a scam.. it’s no skin off my a$$…but you are misleading a lot of people who could find help in it. It is not a miracle cure, you need to listen and do the work… it is a behavioral modification therapy… and it rocks. you dont like it? sorry for you.. but dont crap all over it for others. The only people this wont work for is people who dont want to try.
Stay as you are..I dont know you so what do I care.. BUT..if those of you who care want to get better…get this and put your heart into it. It is NOT a scam. I bought it and I wouldnt give it up for anything…except my kids…id give anything for them lol. Some people just dont want to try it… they pretend to try it just to have something else to bitch about…. maybe it wont work for you, maybe it will… but they wont scam you. there is a 30 day trial… after those days I still wanted mine…I would not ever part with mine. <3 haters feel free to argue..I was looking up som e lucinda stuff and found this site and was soooooooo mad that you're being mislead …being made to think you shouldnt get this…it IS expensive.. but it IS worth it. that's all I can say on it because I dont know you people and I'm already gonna have haters up my ass over this…….. It was a God send for me. My miracle. Believe it OR NOT..It's your life.
PS..I paid by credit card and not had ANY issues. Not even now…3 years later when I still owe them $100. …money is tight…and believe it or not..they GET IT!! They are very nice to me even now.
Don’t rob people of this over your issue….you may have gotten a bullshit customer service person…someone really shady… that was luckily not the case with me.. they don’t take squat off of my card..even thought I OWE them money!!
Back in about 2002 I was having such extreme panic attacks and depression that I felt suicidal. I didn’t want to kill myself, but I was so bad that I felt that it was probably the only way out.
Then, thank God, I saw a paid program for the Midwest Center For Stress And Anxiety, and I ordered the tapes. They helped to save my life!
Doctors weren’t helping me at all with my symptoms. Paxil made me all the closer to killing myself, and then Zoloft helped a little.
But the tapes from the Midwest Center helped tremendously.
You might feel a little more anxious at first when you start listening to the tapes. But in the long run you will be far better off for having listened to them.
I have absolutely NO connection to the Midwest Center other than being a “customer,” if you will.
I can only speak about my own personal experience with the MWS. I have no idea what experiences others have had with them? But the tapes very literally may have helped save my life, I truly believe that!!! And I never had one bad experience with the MWC. I was never overcharged for anything or pressured into anything. And the few phone conversations that I had with them were very polite and helpful.
On a separate note….
Nutrition plays a HUGE role in mental/emotional disorders. Healthy foods will help your condition tremendously. And unhealthy foods and drinks can (and do) cause tremendous harm. They make anxiety, depression and other mental/emotional disorders much, much worse.
I suggest that anyone who is suffering with a mental issue do some research into Omega 3 fats and how beneficial they are to most health conditions, be they mental or physical.
And there are plenty of other supplements like Vitamin D that are also very important.
One other side note…
If anyone is worried about any company overcharging them, I suggest that you use onetime use credit cards. If you’re going to be charged $500 for the product that you’re buying, then you only put $500 on the onetime use card, and then no-one can overcharge you.
I purchased Lucinda’s program for anxiety and depression. I have never been so glad that I have done anything in my life! Before i was finished with the program even I was 75% better then I had been. I continue to do the relaxation part of the program and it continues to help me. But I am not the only one it has helped. My mom and my niece both has benefited from the program. Just because it didnt help you doesnt mean it doesnt work. Her husband killing himself, does not make her a fraud. Sometimes people need more help then these tapes can offer, but shes the real deal and I owe MY life to Lucinda Basset
p.s and by the way, I dont have any affliction to the center either.I never had a problem with my credit card charges. I had been on their web sight many times, and when they didnt see me in a discussion for over a month ( self employeed and very busy) they called me to make sure I was alright and that everything was going okay. we talked for a long time and I appreciated their REAL interest in ME. Not like the Dr. who said here take these pills and youll be on them forever and ever. Thanks to the Center, I am centered again
Hi Jade how much do you want for the cds
This website is unfortunate to may who suffer from anxiety, OCD, depression …etc. It takes courage, hard work and commitment to overcome these issues. The Midwest Center has tapes/CDs to listen to, but there is a workbook and homework to do. This program helps people discover who they can become. One cannot overcome anxiety and depression just by listening to others on the CD’s. The people on the CD’s are wonderful, warm human beings, who reassure us that we are not alone. the rest is up to us. I suspect that many who do not overcome their anxiety, are not doing “the work “that is involved with the program. People who are badmouthing the Midwest Center’s Program have not committed themselves to taking the responsibility of helping themselves.
I, too, purchased the cassette tapes back in 2002. I tried to return them and was told my credit card had already been charged. Several years later when checking my credit, I saw a charge for additional things from Attacking Anxiety, that I clearly had not ordered and never received. To this day, I believe it is still on my credit. The program did not work for me. I think it was a bunch of b.s. When your in such the throws of debilitating anxiety, panic and depression, the last thing you want to do is listen to others share their stories and listen to tapes. I don’t know, maybe that is just me. Funny thing is, I still have the tapes. I have been packing them around for years but have never used them since that first time. Maybe I keep it as a reminder as to how far I came on my own. Who knows.. Maybe I can return them and get my money back now 🙂
Went through the program years ago. It helped a little. But all in all the best thing that I did for myself was to get a good therapist and not work on myself through the mail and phone. All the program does is to get you started on your road. The sad thing is that like some people have experienced when they are feeling like the end of their rope, that is when you can become really vulnerable to order this. After what happened to David, I don’t see any real reason that Lucinda still does this. She should do something else. Just goes to show you that everyone is human and subjected to the same feelings.
After seeing the infomercial, I was very interested in trying the program. I was unhappy with the many counselors I’ve seen in my life, who had me rehash old issues but never gave me any tools to manage my life from this point forward. After going to the website and seeing that a phone number HAD to be entered in order to receive the free CD, I was skeptical. So I found an older (lightly used) cassette version of the program elsewhere online for about $20, and I ordered it.
I am very happy with the program, but it is easy to say this since I was aware enough to make my purchase elsewhere. I find the tapes comforting, and I listen to them often. It’s nice to hear stories from a recovered group instead of participating in a group where everybody is suffering and hopeless. I feel much less alone. And, yes, there is a huge workbook and lots of work to do. You have to do it all, and you have to want it to work. You can’t just listen and read; you have to accept what is being said as true for you and really adopt it.
I grew up in a very critical, negative, anxious family environment and never learned the skills necessary to be a mentally healthy person. It is frustrating to have to learn this stuff in my 40s, but at least there is a program that I can use to do so.
What perplexes me about Lucinda Basset and her program as so many others have pointed out is the manner of how she charges, pitches and delivers her product. Having an infomercial run at peak times for most people suffering with insomnia due to some form of mental suffering, (i.e anxiety or depression) appears all too convenient. I know this myself because I was up late having trouble sleeping when I found it on TV, in my reasoning I thought, “This must be a sign!” or a bright light was forming at the end of the dark tunnel. (I canceled out with the order after hearing the exorbitant charges.) At this moment, many sufferers may feel a sense of imminent salvation, and they dash for the phone and easily give out their card info. As the author said, people act desperate in this moment and don’t think clearly, obviously because they have mental suffering which prevents from thinking clearly and reading into the fine print. It’s a clever ploy of capturing anxiety and depression sufferers and getting a sale. Now, if this material is actually beneficial and helpful in easing or ending the suffering of people, I have no quarrel with that at all. What strikes me is how the all mighty dollar stands in the way. I question the good morals behind this type of business, and the morals of Lucinda Basset herself. Money isn’t called the root of all evil for nothing, what makes me sick is when the sick must pay for salvation. Only those who are fortunate enough to have the necessary funds may be granted the access to healing? That will never sit well with me. I’m not even a Christian but when I think of the story of Jesus, I remember the key points where he healed the sick, the poor and needy free of charge and went on to kick over the tax collectors coffers in rage and even supposedly told us to not lust after money. Let me just say this – I know we live in a society of capitalism and money is generally the thing to have. But could you imagine if you had the power of healing people who suffer horribly with terrible ailments that prevent them from living life? If you had this power, how can you morally feel fine about charging people for it? At what point do you favor your lust and greed for the dollar over your compassion? To me, true, real and actual compassion is caring so much to heal the sick that you would offer it selflessly without a care for making any money at all. I’ve been an anxiety and depression sufferer for many years and I still battle with it today. I know I could live and lead a much better life and I have empathy for any other living thing that suffers or is tortured. I want for all that suffer with these horrible things to be healed and free, and I want to see them enjoy a much better existence. Any findings in my study of psychology, neuroscience, medicine or philosophy. Any research or help I can assimilate, obtain or offer will be free of charge to any and all that require it. Charging the sick and suffering is just too twisted for me to handle.
I had a heart attach and was stressed out so I ordered the course. The one thing is they send you vitamins that I can’t take because of meds I’m now on. My bad for not knowing I was suppose to call and cancel the vitamins after the 14 day period. I will send them back when I get them but they will not refund the 2 charges for $28.90 and I’ll be charged again 2 more times for $14.55 for more vitamins I can’t take. I did manage to get a one month refund for $59.95 . I will stop the course because I don’t trust them as I now believe they are only in it for the money not for the people in need. I agree with Robert and couldn’t have said it better. I just wasted my money and time.
In 2004 I started feeling weird in the head. I started thinking “I must have a brain tumor.” (IT’S NOT A TOOMAH! Kindergarten Cop anyone? : ). I was working at a new job when this started. The year before my Dear friend Don (R.I.P.) was diagnosed with brain cancer and had a rapidly growing tumor that was operated on and removed (mostly) and me being the hypochondriac I was, when I started feeling these weird symptoms (il)logically my mind went to the worst possible place.
Late one night while channel surfing my wife and I happened to stop on the Mid-West Center’s (MWC) infommercial. We stopped for the typical 5 -10 seconds and she moved on (that’s right folks, my wife was in possession of the remote!), but I was interested in what was being said so I asked her to go back. The people giving their testimonials didn’t look like actors, or well spoken models, or brain washed pod people, they looked like genuine, sincere customers, so we kept watching.
One person’s testimonial struck home. They described one of their symptoms as a light-headed or spacy feeling that they were convinced was a brain tumor. I said “That’s it, that’s me.” So my wife said “If you think it might help you then it’s worth a try.” so I wrote down the number…but didn’t call. A few days later after obsessing about it (and the money it would cost) I called and ordered.
Yes, they did try and sell me on the automatic ordering of the extremely expensive and automatically charged vitamins. I bought one box and quickly cancelled because I didn’t really have the money. They never bothered trying to get me to order anything else. I guess I was lucky to get the one customer service/salesperson that wasn’t pushy enough to make any extra money off the commissions.
So were the selling tactics annoying? Yes.
Since 2004 I have had to go back and re-listen to the course twice because I found myself “sliding” backwards into those anxious, hypochondriac thought patterns. Stress has a way of slipping in slowly sometimes and I just felt I needed a little re-inforcement of the skills I had learned from the discs. That’s o.k. That’s what they’re there for.
Is Lucinda’s program (or life for that metter) perfect? No.
Did it help me? Yes.
It gives some great insight from other people that have experienced what I (and you) are going through and hearing them recount their experiences has helped me a lot. And it may for you too.
And just to prove that I’m not some plant from The MWC I’ll agree with what some of the others have said. Check ebay or Amazon for a used or discounted set. If you absolutely can’t afford to buy it because you’re already spending money to see a therapist on a weekly basis (or more often) and for prescription drugs then I would strongly suggest trying to find a free copy on the interwebz. Check the torrent sites. It must be out there somewhere. Bottom line is, you don’t have to pay for this program if you don’t want to.
What you have to do though is be open minded and give it a shot. Ask yourself this, “Can I spare an hour a day, over the next few months to try and make my life better?”
If the answer is Yes, and you are as dedicated and diligent about this as anything else you love or would like to do, then this course will help you.
They are stealing money out of my account as we speak, I have cancelled with them 2 times, to no avail, now I get to change accounts…..they should be disgusted with themselves. If the program actually worked, people would be beating the doors down, instead, they have to steal the weakest of the weak money. I feel like I’m gonna pass out every time my account is charged
absolutely agree! they just put my stress and anxiety over the edge. charged my account even though it was returned prior to their period. 38#*!!! worse now than i was…Don’t buy in
I just called desperately looking for help and was cut off 3 times. The numbers in my kit are all invalid granted it is an older Kit but I am very disappointed. I really need help anyone that knows how hard it is for someone to reach out and ask for that help and then be cut off how pathetic is that. I didn’t realize that her husband had committed suicide is she even involved in this program anymore. Bottom line if you can find the right kind of help you are damn lucky count your blessings I can understand why people jus to end it especially when they have tried and tried to get help and just keep running into brick walls at every turn people who need that help don’t have the strength or aren’t thinking straight enough to figure things out on their own to make it even harder is a crime.
There is a lot of good information at helpguide.org. It is not my website and I am not affiliated with it in any way. I have not called any of the numbers or help lines so I don’t know about those. But the site is full of practical advice to help with depression and other problems.
I’ll add my name to the long list .
I am seriously looking into filing a class action lawsuit against these crooks, there seem to be more than enough people that a fraud/misrepresentation charge should stand. Please share your story on the facebook page I just started. The more reports we have the better the chances of success Thanks!! Here is my story:
In Mid- December, I purchased this product after seeing an infomercial on it. The product was advertised as having a 30 day money back guarantee, so I figured I would give it a try. It arrived on December 18th, over the couple of weeks I listed to the CD’s but I was not impressed so I decided to send it back. On June 8th I called to get a return authorization number. I shipped the package to the Priority Mail with tracking and $50.00 insurance that comes with it. I checked the tracking number a few days later and saw it was delivered on January 10th. I thought all was good. I was wrong.
When I opened my credit card statement for March, that I got in early April there was a charge of there for $59.95, I went online to see my current month activity and sure enough there was another charge for $59.95. So my first question is: Why would they wait till March to start billing me…and What could it be for???? I call them, that alone is a challenge I was disconnected twice before I got to really speak to anyone. I was told by lady #1 that the first charge was because it was received back past my 30 days, and the second charge was in error and she would “submit an email to get that credited.” Needless to say I was not happy so I asked to speak to her supervisor. The supervisor (lady #2) told me that the first lady in incorrect and I was being billed because it was late and the late/restock fee is something like $159 I don’t remember the exact amount. So I tell her she is crazy and they had the package on the 10th, and if they didn’t check it in till the 20th that was there problem not mine. I told her I wanted both of the charges credited to my account and once again I was told that it would be submitted via email to “Bob” the guy who handles refunds. I asked to speak to Bob and she said he was not available, I offered to wait then she said he was not in yet, but she was “escalating “ the email and I would hear from him within 24 hours. 24 Hours came and went so I called again. This time I asked to speak with a supervisor directly and I was told that she was a supervisor, I told her my story and that I had not heard from Bob yet. I was then told that Bob didn’t come in the previous day, he had a sick child at home, and he would be in about noontime and she has sent him another email and I would hear from him again in 24 hours. She went on to say, If my refund was approved it would take 2-3 weeks. So now I am totally pissed and not being very nice on the phone. I wait 24 hours, no callback, I callback and got hung up on twice. I finally said screw this and went online and disputed the charge with my credit card company. I told them everything I said here and sent the priority mail tracking info that I got from the USPS website. My wonderful credit card company, sided with them because the company said I never returned the package it was a 14 day trial not 30 and the tracking info only shows a package was delivered to Van Nuys CA, and not the specific street address. At this point I am so totally fed up and frustrated I wanted to scream! I call the post office in Van Nuys to ask them why this sheet only shows it delivered to Van Nuys 91406, but not the address it was delivered to and told them why I needed the information. They told me that Midwest Center get so many packages that the do not do street delivery, they are picked up and all items with tracking number are recorded on a Firm Sheet and that is what the person getting the packages signs. She then checks my tracking number to the firm sheet from January 10th and lo and behold there is my package. I then ask her to please please please fax it to me so I can send it to my credit card company, she said, she was not authorized to do that, the Post Master would have to approve that, and he won’t be in till Monday, of course this was a Saturday, so now I am waiting on Monday noon Eastern time to call the post office and either get the firm sheet faxed to me or a letter from the post office stating my package was signed for by a representative of the company. If I can get either of those my credit card company will then reverse the charges. If for some reason I can’t get that information my next step is to file a claim with the post office because the package was insured for $50, when they investigate they will see that the package was delivered and I will require proof of that and then I will send that to my credit card company. Sorry this was so long, my actual point here is I am so fed up with this mess and this company , and I see so many others are also facing these same problems that I wonder if legally we can do something, like file as class action law suit. They really need to be held accountable for what they are doing and honestly they are just crooks!
This is nothing but a scam. They will continue to charge you even when you return the produce. Stay away from this compay
Same experience happened to me. I cancelled and they are STILL Charging me. I filed a complaint with the BBB and am disputing charges with my credit card company.
I, like many others, felt helpless and her commercial gave me hope. All this has given me is HUNDREDS of dollars lost. HUNDREDS of dollars gone just like that on a product that doesn’t help.
The CDs are just a bunch of people complaining about how they used to act, but there is really no useful information about how to get better.
SCAMMERS SCAMMERS SCAMMERS!!!!!!!!!!!
Marie, what is your facebook page? I agree, we should all join together to file a class action lawsuit
I had similar experience except I didn’t even open the package, just returned them immediately and they say I have to pay for them anyway. Isn’t there anything that can be done to stop them from doing business in such an unethical manner?
Like so many of you, I just experienced mush of what you did with Center Point. I am so frustrated by how I was treated on the phone by their customer support people. Unreal! If you have anxiety and depression, after speaking with them, you need medication to calm down. This program just wasn’t what the late night info commercial seem to relay. I was extremely disappointed with it. Two weeks to try something of this nature is BS. Plus, when are depressed and see the claims they have to help you, well you jump to try it. When u r in that state of mind u can be talked into anything. I discovered something also that has helped me so much and they didn’t like to hear that. I felt alone on this until I came across this website, so thanks to you all for posting. I sent back the program and notified my bank. They will not get any more of my money. They even threatened to turn me over to collections. Now that’s what u tell someone with anxiety. Bastards.
This company is a TOTAL sham & scam!!! I was feeling particularly overwhelmed by life and had recorded their infomercial. I grabbed their number called thinking I might actually find some help before I did something drastic. Buy, did I fall for it! Realized the following day I should have done some research first and then found out the bad news about them. I called to cancel immediately but they said the order already went through. So, once I received the “program” I called for a return and promptly out it in the mail. 30 days later and still no refund. I am disputing the charge through my credit card company. TOTAL SHAM and uncaring bunch of ******!!!
TOTAL SCAM! They do not honor their own return system. I tried 3 times to get a return authorization code and was put on hold for more than 30 minutes each time. When I did get to a representative, he was rude and told me I might want to use the product because I seemed stressed. He would not give me an authorization code on day #14 of my free trial. IT IS A SCAM! Do NOT do business with this company unless you want to be ripped off.
Worse company, that I have ever dealt with!!! I called to order the set from a TV ad. I then quickly changed my mind (the same day) and called back to stop the order at that time was told it was too late that I had to keep it for 14 days. I waited until the product came. I then called and spoke with a lady, who would not give me the required Return Authorization number to return the product. (You get charged a fee of $89.95 for restocking, if you don’t have the code.) I then waited a few hours and called the number back again. At that time, I spoke with a different lady, who actually hung up on me when I asked for the code and read the back of the Return Policy to her asking for the number. The Return Policy states that for any reason you can return the package with 14 days for a full refund. This is a total lie!!! Has anyone ever gotten their package returned to them. If you don’t have stress and anxiety, you for sure will, after dealing with this company!!!!
I was also very disappointed when I was unable to receive a refund !
I returned the vita/CD’s within 10 days of the 14 days trial !
because I didn’t call for a confirmation number I can’t receive a refund! They have confirmation date of receipt within 1o days~ Also, I was charged a few for counceling that I never received because when the therapist called, I informed her that I had returned all the merchandise so I wouldn’t be participating in the program ! Never assume anything, right! Due to our phone conversation I thought that this would take care of that part of the program cost. WRONG !!!! So I am continuing to have to pay the product part monthly. For the last three months. When speaking with the Midwest Center, they would only make a mends of $49.95.
These is due to their policy. At this time I do not have a written policy that states that I must call and cancel before the 30 day trial ends. I truly thought I had follow the directions given! Another sucker….
I am very disappointed with this company.
I am even too upset to go into detail about how I feel they worked me over.
I was sent a duplicate shipment of the program and was told to return the first program box which was post marked 7-23-14 . They told me I had to get it post marked by 8-5-14 as the 8-5-14 was the last day I could return it. Then they said they give me a huge discount if I kept the program I accepted as I am an anxiety sufferer off and on for 50 years and have run the gambit and this was my last hope I am only into the second session and hope to get something worthwhile out of it. They are always willing to negotiate the price and give extra cost items as ” spiffs ” . They told me to call
them if I accepted their offer of paying another $ 137.00 plus the
$ 77.00 I already paid IF I kept the program. They told me to call if my credit card went through for the additional 137.00 . Why should I have to call them ?
Then the hideous cost of vitamins and other services they try to hit you for, unbelievable.
The customer service people, at least I feel , are a bit rude .
It doesn’t matter where you call in , I think it may be a call center in Manila and it is just my personal feeling it is hard to communicate.
with them. Please don’t take what I say wrongly , people are people and am not saying anything bad about where a person is from or their language .
I just don’t think they care about the people who are buying this program and why . I just feel that people in an anxious or depressed state are buying this program are desperate for help and we may be ripe prey for what seems to me may be just a money making machine . I hope I am wrong . I am just venting my feelings . These are just my own thoughts and mean no one any harm.
I, too, have been “had” by this company. I saw the infomercial while on vacation and thought it would help my daughter, who suffers from anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I ordered the package on May 28, received it a few days later. I gave it to my daughter to listen to, but she never did, so I decided to return it. I was charged $59.95 on June 6th and again on July 7th. I called the company on July 8th to find out how to return it and was told by Laura I couldn’t because it was outside the 30 day trial period. I said I was returning it and expected a refund because we did not use the product. She asked if I had requested a return merchandise authorization code and I said I hadn’t, which she said I could not return the merchandise. She said there would be a $134.85 re-stocking fee and because I did not call to get an RMA, there would be an additional charge for that (don’t remember how much). I asked for the address to return the merchandise, because I did not want it. I promptly returned it that day. Tracking indicates the merchandise was received on July 11th in Van Nuys, CA. The woman I spoke to indicated once the merchandise was received, I would receive a refund of the 2 payments already made.
Another $59,95 charge was taken out of my bank account on August 14th. I contacted the company today to find out about my refund only to be placed on hold for 20 minutes after I was transferred to a “supervisor.” I was told by this supervisor she needed 1-2 minutes to bring up my information. After a frustrating 20 minute wait, I hung up and called again. This time I was again put on hold and got disconnected. I called a third time and was disconnected again. Call #4 was made at 4:50 and the gentleman (Bob) I spoke with said he hoped my call would be taken care of since the office was closing at 5:00. Fortunately, I was able to talk to Laura again and was told the same thing above. No RMA – no refund. I told her I understand I returned the merchandise after the 30 day trial period, but they had the CD’s and I expected to be refunded for the charges on my bank account. She explained that I would receive a refund of $45, which is the amount of the 3 monthly charges minus the restocking fee. I was not happy and told her I thought the company was taking advantage of people and it was ridiculous to charge that astronomical amount to “restock” merchandise. She was polite and said she was sorry I was not satisfied. She said I should receive the refund with in 3-5 days and she was documenting the request while I was on the phone with her. I thanked her and told her I was sorry she had to work for a company like that and hung up.
I will be back to post again if I do not receive the refund within 5 days as she said.
Please let me know if anything else is needed for a class action lawsuit against this company.
I was in one of the infomercials. I was not compensated in any way for taking part. I ordered the tapes (not cds at the time) and followed the program as directed. Within 2 weeks I went from 3-5 panic attacks a day to roughly 2-3 a week. I continued the program and got my life back on track. I couldn’t leave the house, I constantly went to the ER and was absolutely miserable. I am sorry the program didn’t work for you but I met others that it worked wonders for and I met Lucinda during filming and she was a very kind and genuine person. We all even went out to dinner and had a wonderful conversation and she shared her own personal struggles. I think before you call the program B.S. I think you need to realize that not every single person responds the same way to everything be it a program or a medication. Actually, I find prescriptions to be the real B.S. here. I cannot even begin to count the times I went to doctors when knee-deep in my anxiety and all they wanted to do was force feed me anti-depressants, thankfully I never took any off them. I understand your frustration but I honestly feel that it is unfair and misdirected.
These cd’s and workbook are the best thing that has ever happened for me. Thanks to Lucinda. She has turned my life around. I would recommend them to anyone. Lucinda is a breath of fresh air, and I thank her for her hard work and devotion
These cd’s and workbook are the best thing that has ever happened for me. Thanks to Lucinda. She has turned my life around. I would recommend them to anyone. Lucinda is a breath of fresh air, and I thank her for her hard work and devotion
I have sat here and read all of these comments and I shake my head to think how so many of us want to blame someone for our problems. Panic Disorder is YOU teaching yourself to scare yourselves with your own thoughts. Negative thoughts. Once this vicious cycle starts it plays havoc with your brain. I was lucky enough to have met Lucinda in the 4th grade and be her friend threw out my life. I never knew she had panic disorder when we were growing up cause she hid it so well. All I ever saw was her outgoing personality and how she could do so many things like play the guitar and sing. I also read her books and believe me when I saw” in print” my life with her ( she changed my name) I was just a little shocked. Why? Because I saw a whole different life then the one she was describing. I saw love and closeness and fun and joy to be around her and her family. She saw darkness and fear and so wanted away from it all. Two people in the same life and family ( I was at her house all the time) and we both went away with a whole different outlook. We all have problems, great or small and I would never wish mental problems on anyone. When you gripe about this program, no one twisted your arm to buy it. YOU made that decision. YOU made the decision to send it back. Do you honestly think Lucinda knows anything about you not getting your refund? I am sure she had other things on her mind, like lets say her beloved husband taking his life. Do you not see that the reason you are making such accusations about another’s life is because you are so rapped up in your own pain to see that she was in an over whelming amount of her own? There is help out there for anxiety disorder. Did any of you get on the internet and start looking? I got on and found a treatment center in Toledo, Ohio run by a Dr. Hovey. The first steps to helping your selves with anxiety thoughts is to know that “you will not die from adrenaline running ram pet threw your body” When you are having one, go to your “SAFE” or “HAPPY” place and breath slowly in and out. Yes this is hard when your brain is racing. Try to stop obsessing about your thoughts and body feelings. How do you think Lucinda healed herself? She studied up on everything she could find on anxiety. What are you waiting for? Keep yourself busy “Idol hands?” Let’s stop blaming everyone else for our problems. If this didn’t work for you then look for what will. The pills are a band aide. Using them to long just gives off side affects to other problems. Stay away from negative people, negative thoughts, the news and remember, the reason YOU are suffering from anxiety is because you are so bright and artistic, smart and honestly an all around great human being. You may think you are a little OCD. Well hell people, we all are to an extent. Your an individual person and no two people are alike. If you would listen to your heart and go with your gut then you would see how really beautiful you are. Live! Stop worrying about all the small stuff. And ladies I promise to you that the older you get the better life gets. Look at a sunset and just live in the moment of its beauty. Stay in the moment. No” what ifs.” There is no future and no past in your thinking. You wander how I know this? Everybody has anxiety. It all depends on how you deal with it. I, too have had really bad nights (aren’t they the worst) and the morning didn’t turn out any better but I knew that there was always tomorrow and I learned relaxing skills and I read books and I decided enough was enough and rode the attacks out cause I told myself I wasn’t going to die. I got older and started to enjoy life and people around me. I DO NOT suffer from anxiety any longer. Oh I still have nerves that spark up once in awhile but I look at my surroundings and I can pinpoint that it is usually someone or something totally out of my control causing my discomfort. But it is MY problem and the way I perceive the situation. Look at your surroundings, look at the people in it. Are there florescent lights on? People with anxiety don’t do well with this kind of lighting and loud noises. We like quit, but not to much. We get bored easily. Our brains are always on. WE are intelligent, loving humans and we think to much most of the time. Find your peace of mind friends but stop blaming the world for your problems. By the way, Lucinda sold the Mid West Center after her husbands death so if you want to put blame on someone else, looks like your going to have to find out who the new owner is. But while your looking, thank Lucinda because as I see it she was the only one trying to help you when you were so desperately looking for it. Peace of mind to you friends, Chris:)
Thank you for saving me! I was going to call, but after reading what you wrote, I realized you are right and I was “thinking stupid”
Never cured?. Thats fucking great. What is the point of even trying to go on living this fucking horrible existence then. I quit
THIS IS A RIP-OFF COMPANY. I too called, spoke to a representative and agreed for the $9.95 trial process. An unknown package was found on my doorstep with no Company info as to who was sending the package. I returned the package back thru the US Postal Service with a tracking number. The center for MID WEST Center for Stress and Anxiety STOLE $399.00 out of my bank account, without my permission. I DO NOT RECOMEND ANYONE TO PURCHASE ANY MATERIAL FROM THIS COMPANY. CANCEL YOUR CREDIT CARD IF YOU have provided them with your bank information PROMPTLY!!! https://theocddiaries.com/addiction-2/midwest-center-for-fraud-bullshit/E G
These morons called me despite the fact that I’m registered on the Do Not Call list. I called them back to get the information needed to file a complaint with the DNC people. All I got was the same stupid sales recording I got when they called. I’m going to sue Lucinda Basset for all she’s worth.
THANKYOU SO MUCH … 😉 I’m so glad u took that time out to inform people of facts because I just got of the phone with these assholes and there still at it … thank god I was always taught research is key before making decisions regardless of my desperate temporary fixes ??
I did call only that they refused to mail me the free cd and order and pay to recive the actual cd for help stress. i did not give them any information . thank you for your experiance and sorry for anyone that falls for it. they also ask if in any one in your family has a credit card that can help you and they dont take money orders . that says alot . Dont do it !!!!!!!!.
Wow thank you I just heard about this program for “free” for my trauma and anxiety ocd yep all of it I also well I witnessed a loved one shoot himself. Thank you for the save
Hi, I think your website might be having browser
compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks
fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has
some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, amazing blog!
good work bill.
I have worked the program with the assistance of one of the Midwest Center’s coaches and it has worked beautifully.
I returned the vitamins with no problem. I have no idea why you had trouble returning anything. If you were truly within the return period, it would have been no problem and you could have contacted your credit card company to dispute and resolved the issue if there actually was an issue. Frankly, I think you have a problem. The Midwest Center has no problem with returns within the proper time frame and that would be evident in their accounting.
You sound pretty bitter and I think it’s a shame for you to slam a program which has helped so many and which so many more could be helped by just to vent when you obviously where at fault with the returns process and just want to lash out refusing to take responsibility for whatever your error was.
Absolutely a con. I tried to cancel my “trial offer” then said they could.nt and was going to be charged right $99.20 for the use of on line support. I NEVER agreed to that and will be calling the BBB my local police department and the District Attorneys office. They prey on people with mental illnesses. They should be ashamed to con people who STRUGGLE to maintain their affliction.
I was up at night watching that infomercial [still airing at the end of 2014] I want to buy a set but refuse to pay the full price. [that gives me real anxiety] If you want to sell yours please contact me.
Typical pyscho-educational skills based programs can run 12-15 weeks in short term recovery programs, where clients learn new approaches to their issues. It depends on the clients, their history and motivation. Let’s face it, if consistent psychotropic medications haven’t helpled over long periods, then any 12 week course probably isn’t either. But sometimes, and for some people, it makes a big difference. And even basics like drinking 8 glasses of water a day or listening to relaxation tapes may be unexplored or revisited avenues to beginning a new view for some folks. I don’t remember the AD&A program ever stating that it would help OCD clients, however for people primarily mildly to moderately depressed or suffering from panic disorder, it may offer some answers. It primarily suggests the ability of people to in some way to heal themselves, which is positive and empowering. The cost of traditional psychiatric treatment, including group, one to one therapy, medication, etc., etc., can be extremely costly, so a few hundred dollars to try a different system (and no system has guarantees) may be worth the cost if it provides some measure of relief.
Spot on! Very insiteful opinion my friend. Saying you’ll never be cured is a far stretch in my opinion though. In my ventures ive observed some seemingly lucky people who are able to gain the small little bit of confidence it takes to dig theirselves out of whatever whole they’re in. That’s the first step. Obviously, the first of many. I can personally say that I feel as though anxiety is at best a small part of my life after years of self structure. Well shit! Guess your right bud. You can almost cure it though:)
Biggest scam ever. It took 11 days to receive and then your return time starts. Its bullshit! Mine was shipped on the 3rd and received on the 14th…. When you call for a RAN they have some woman or whatever from India i couldnt understand… will tell you she suffers also from anxiety which is bullshit. Then she tells me it has to be returned within 28 days of receiving.? After she tried to convince me to keep it for the 14 days. If you do keep it for the 14 days and want to return it its too late! Its a scam from hell! These people all suffer and want to help you?! They should be ashamed of themselves! Causing more stress and anxiety…by telling lies! GFY!
I ordered this program a few years back and returned it with no problem whatsoever. They even extended my trial for an additional 30-days when I informed them that I didn’t really have a chance to use it.
I returned it anyway because I found it on eBay “like new” for $80. This was the CD/DVD newer version with everything barely touched. I could’ve purchased the older cassette program for even less.
Eveyone – you should know that people sell used stuff. Check eBay or Craigslist FIRST before buying ANYTHING like this – books, CDs, DVDs, different programs, etc.
As far as the program, I like it and it is helpful. It is not a “scam”, it teaches CBT and coping skills.
If you buy something with a 30-day return policy and you try to return it AFTER 30-days….hmmm….guess what? You won’t be able to return it at that point. Imagine that. Don’t call it a “scam” if you went past the time period by mistake.
Again, I was able to return mine with no problem and for a full refund – even after they extended my free trial an additional 30 days.
Buy it on eBay folks and save some money! Never pay retail if you don’t have to!!!
I called and talked to them about program. I told them I didn’t have the money for the program after going back and forth with the person he told me that I could get it for 30 days and if I decided that I didn’t want it I could cancel return it and all I would be charged for was the shipping cost. I agreed. I received an email saying that payment did not go through. I talked to them and told them that I decided I didn’t want the program and did not give them the new billing information. Two days later I got an email saying that it had been shipped. I’m thinking how can that be since they said that payment declined by my credit union and I did not give them a new form of payment. I called them again and asked why they sent the package and how they charged my account. Was told when I received package call and get the authorization number and put it on the outside and inside the box. When I took the package to return the package the mailman at the post office told me that if I opened the package I would have to pay for the return. So, I did not open the package but did put the number on outside of package. So basically I refused delivery on something I did not order in the first place. I notified them was told that was ok since the package was not opened and refused and sent back the same day it arrived. Sounds good right wrong a few days ago there was a charge on my account for 71.99 now I am in the process of trying to get my money back. When I called and told them that I did not want the program after I found out it had been shipped I was on the phone with a representative over 45 minutes she didn’t want to give me the authorization number. She kept saying that I should try the program I had a 30 day money back guarantee. I told her that I wanted the authorization now that I had no intention of trying the program I would not have time in the next 30 days to try it I was going into the hospital for surgery and cancer treatment so I needed the authorization number so I can have my caregiver take me to mail it back before I went into the hospital which was in 3 days. And my caregiver does not have access to my house if I’m in the hospital she doesn’t work and doesn’t get paid this conversation went on for almost 45 minutes when she put me on hold and after 5 minutes returned tried again to get me to change my mind it didn’t work she then reluctantly gave me the info and before hanging up told me I was making a very big mistake. I told her that she caused me more anxiety and stress in that hour than I felt in the previous year. So that’s why people need help after talking to them and all the stress they put on people you needed something to help you relax. Is that what you call job security? You stress people out then you convince them they need help and your the only one that can help them. These people need to be shut down for false advertising theft and misrepresentation pretending to be therapist when they clearly are not. There the reason people need to seek out help. They’re the problem not the cure. Before you invest talk to your friends family and anyone else who you trust to give you an honest opinion.
BEFORE YOU MAKE THE FIRST CALL OR EMAIL DO THE INVESTIGATION RE AD WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING. LOOK IN TO THEM WITH THE BBB AND WHAT INFORMATION THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN. GOOD LUCK.
OMG. I just signed up for the so called free CD offer last night. I am so afraid!
Omg they are the worst ,I ordered the tapes I got them in the mail on 11/20/14,I called before they ship the tapes matter of fact I call the day after I placed the order to cancel they said I couldn’t I had to waith until I received the package, ok when I got the package call them they giving me the run around I ending up paying $18.00 to send it back.I didn’t open the box I had it for lest than three days but they charge my card $65.00 when I ask about the14days trial and why my card was charged they told me it was a error in their system ,and it will take 14days to refund my money.I am still waiting for my refund. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY ARE A RIP OFF AND THEY LIE ,IF I CAN’T GET MY MONEY BACK I TOLD I WILL FILE A LAW SUIT
My girlfriend has anxiety problems so when Midwest’s commercial came on, I figured it would be worth a try. When I called I made it clear that we would just start out with the DVD and see if we like it, even though my girlfriend was hesitant, I insisted. After the continuous question of adding additional services I made it clear that we just wanted to start off with the DVD and go from there. Finally gave my CC info for the $14.95 for JUST the DVD and the sales rep said it would arrive in 7-10day as so did my email. After researching the BBB and other sites I quickly learned there had been numerous cases of the Midwest Center charging for items that never were agreed upon or never receiving the DVD ect. I got nervous and had second thought. So when I called back to cancel, the girl on the phone said the order had already been placed and I would get cancelation instruction when the DVD would arrive. I asked her “ how can you NOT cancel the order, I just placed it?” she replied she couldn’t change it in the system, it already went through. I argued with her that it’s just a DVD just don’t send it to me, make a note on the order or something. I immediately called my bank and asked them to only process the $14.95 for the DVD and no other transactions have my authorization from this company.
Sure enough after 7 days I went to my apartment’s office waiting for this DVD to arrive for 2 weeks and nothing ever came (I’m positive of this because my GF did the exact same). So I assumed the order had been canceled considering I never received anything. Yesterday I received a call from a collection agency saying I owe them $300.00 for charges for “Attacking Anxiety” – it wasn’t even Midwest Center (I guess they go by a different name for their very busy dept. collector?). So at this point I’m very upset and call and ask to speak to a manager at Midwest Center. I explain the story to the manager and he pulls out a UPS tracking number that confirms I received the DVD on 10/10/2014 and I sent it back shortly thereafter and because I didn’t cancel the policy correctly, I was charged the additional amounts. I explained to him that there is no way in hell I ever sent back a DVD because I’m pretty positive I would have remembered that and made the point to him that how can I cancel if the instruction where in the package I never received? He brought back up the confirmation from UPS basically insinuating that I was lying to him. I asked “well maybe you got the address wrong. Did you notice it may have come back un-opened.” His reply “well I obviously don’t work in the warehouse otherwise I wouldn’t be talking to you right now.” I then said “Do you have a tracking number for that shipment then or maybe a date of when you received the package back?” His reply was “your account has been closed with us, you will now only need to deal with the collection agency.” I was in a loss for words at that moment. Even the people that work there know they are scamming people, how can this be legal? It deeply upsets me that there are people out there that can even fathom such a cruel method of scamming people out of their money. Hope you’re not reading this after you bought the DVD and make the same mistake I did.
Sounds like many of you didn’t actually do the program like the Person whine wrote this ridiculous blog. I first got the program over ten years ago never to have a panic attack again in my life. I was having them daily. Sorry but it’s called cognitive behavioral therapy and it works but not if you’re the typical lazy American who isn’t willing to put the time and work into. Depression comes from years of negative thinking this becoming a chemcal imbalance, thinking positive thoughts can correct this imbalance. People just want a pill these days. An easy way out and use their condition as an excuse and crutch. Sad really. Depression and anxiety are self inflicted and can be stopped without medication.
If I could have gotten through the phone I,m afraid what would have happened. I failed to research ahead of time and have ended up like the others. talking to programed people on phone who repeat the same thing over and over. They must be very desperate to hold this job, treating people who are obviously already having problems. with such insincerity. I have filed a dispute, and will be calling the BBB. I am definitely interested in class suit, and am going to talk to a lawyer about it. I am so angry I could scream , and feel they should be held accountable. feel free to give my contact info to any who are interested in bandwagon with me. we need to do something, and there is power in numbers!
Bottom line, if Midwest Center had a good product they wouldn’t need to scam so many people of their money. They start out with holding back information and pretend they are going to help you, when in the long run all they are doing is getting your payment information, so they can continue to charge your account even more for their crappy program. I thought I was depressed before, After dealing with these people, it only made it worse. No wonder he took his life…..
I look at it this way, what is 450.00. If it’s possible that this program works to help my love ones then it will be the best money I ever spent. If it doesn’t then it is still the best money I ever waisted in trying to help them. You will not know until you try. We don’t complain about waisting money in trying to win the lottery, but we repeatedly still do it.
I ordered the Dvds. I then decided like most of you guys that in my “depressed & anxious state” that they were too expensive, more worries, and returned them straight way. Guess What – they were literally SENT back to me. (I was told they were returned thru the wrong method Post office or UPS? and they did not accept them) I have paid some $ and still owe them $179. It is now on my credit report. I am still trying to figure out if there is anything I can do?
Anybody filing a lawsuit?
I have the same cd’s of this so-called ” guaranteed to reduce and even cure for stress and anxiety “, and I got ripped off for over $300 before the 30 day ” free trial”, was up after receiving the product I was charged the $300 a week later. I tried to call and returned it, because it was just a bunch of people talking about their own stress and anxiety, as well as everything I had tried already. Just the conversation, (harassing, argumentative representative ), who tried to tell me that I needed it, 100 times after I told her that she was making my stress and anxiety worse. I told her finally that I was going to cancel my credit card so they couldn’t get any more money from me. Anyway, I got a call today from the same awful person today, who tried to tell me that I owed them another $250 for the program. I laughed at her and told her where she could shove it and she said that I would be turned into collections for non payment. I’m a disabled 54 year old woman, who is trying to live off of what little money that I get each month and I told her to go ahead and do just that and it would cost them even more than I “owed”, them. I’m in contact with the Better Business Bureau and my representative from Social Security and filing a harassment complaint for them and am getting all of my money back.
One thing that is for sure, is that you DO NOT WANT this crappy program if you suffer from stress and anxiety.
WE ORDERED THIS PRODUCT-DESPARATE PEOPLE WILL TRY ANYTHING FOR SOME STRESS RELIEF. OMG! THE WHOLE THING IS A FRAUD. THE PROGRAM IS JUST A REHASH OF STUFF YOU CAN READ FOR FREE ONLINE OR AT THE LIBRARY. BUT THATS NOT THE HALF OF IT. TRY RETURNING IT! AND THE PRICE IS CLOSE TO $500.00.WHEN YOU CALL THEY ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO GIVE YOU A RETURN NUMBER AND WITHOUT IT YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR MONEY BACK. BE PERSISTANT. IT TOOK ME WELL OVER TWO HOURS TO GET THAT NUMBER AND PRECISE DIRECTIONS FOR RETURNS. BY THE LOOKS OF THE COMMENTS ONLINE I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN RETURNING THIS CRAP. LET THEM GET ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF THEIR SPEIL AND THEN INSIST ON RETURN INSTRUCTIONS. WHEN YOU MAIL IT BACK MAKE SURE TO TRACK IT SO THEY CANNOT SAY THEY DID NOT GET IT. GOOD LUCK.
I am so surprised to read your review. I ordered the tapes and they were PHENOMINAL! They helped me get my life back. I hadn’t slept in days or been able to eat. I was drinking ensure to get my vitamins. I started feeling better after session 2. Did you do all the things you were supposed to do? The journaling, the workbook exercises and the relaxation exercises? The program really does work IF you use it the way you are supposed to. It was well worth the money to me. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you 🙁 Also, when I lost my relaxation cassette a couple years later–I called to get a replacement and they sent me a CD completely free.
These tapes/program saved my life! If you do the work, and commit yourself to it, the rewards are so great! I have not had a panic attack in 16 years since I used this program. Anxiety was not something that was talked about in social settings 16 years ago. Just the the help of them listing off symptoms helped me realize I wasn’t crazy. It might be worth looking into CBT and using this course at the same time or brushing up with a CBT therapist once the program is done. Anxiety is in your mind, it’s created by your thoughts, and you get chose those thoughts, and how they affect your life. Good luck, everyone!! It’s a hard disorder to cope with, but you get the hang of it, you get to choose the life you want. I fall off the wagon all the time, you just have to choose to get back on!
This is a scam. I called in for the free cd. Suddenly it costs $9.95 for a 14 day trial period package. I was going on vacation when it would arrive and said I won’t be able to use them. Before he had even told me all the details, he had already charged my credit card and told me there was no way to reverse it and I would have to call on Monday to customer service (as it was Saturday). On Monday, they refused to cancel my order even though the product had not left yet, but also refused to give me a tracking number. Needless to say, it arrived the day I left. Apparently I was supposed to pay for my mailbox to enjoy it.
The program might work (not sure since I didn’t have time to use it)…just don’t waste time calling the center and paying hundreds of dollars.
Does anyone have the workbook that goes with these cassette tapes? I found the program at a thrift store but it has no workbook. If you do, could you please send me a copy of it via email? karn.borelli@gmail.com. Thanks!
I bought the package didn’t listen to one cd ,. but took the good day pillsin 2002-2005 they were outstanding,. i mean uncanny,.. then i stopped them and tried again later in 2007 maybe,. but the blend changed and the effect was different
Renew daily supplements ? who knows ,. new name new blend ? the first blend was phenomenal
The tapes helped me. I still use the techniques 15 years later, and have shared them with lots of others. I am not affiliated with the Midwest Center at all. I will say that I had to do work beyond the tapes, but it was a start in helping me to change my negative thinking.
I just found out about David Bassett’s suicide. I’m going to buy the book Lucinda wrote about all of the things she has been through since. Why?
Because I purchased her tapes (long time ago huh, well, 2004 I believe). Her program actually cured me, I am so very thankful. I thought that perhaps the anxiety and panic attacks would resurface one day but they have not. I’m eternally grateful to Lucinda Bassett.
Thank you Lucinda and I am so sorry for your losses.
I see the success stories, but can’t help from thinking they’re bogus. That’s aside the point; it’s awful this company would prey on a persons weakness. To advertise a free trail only to turn around and trap you in to paying for something that’s not beneficial to a serious diagnosis.
How do these people sleep at night? And, if it is true that her husband committed suicide, why on earth would she continue selling this video. Absolutely speechless that a person would be so greedy.
I beg you to reconsider what your doing. Consider your customers. If you truly want to do good for those with anxiety and depression, then do it in a meaningful way. Stop trying to make money off of a weakness that could ultimately lead to ones death.
To sum it up – be a better person. Have compassion. Theres better, more productive ways to help those in need.
By the way, vitamins of better quality are available at any local vitamin shop.
For the post that paid in hopes of saving a family member, please know that we all aren’t in a position to gamble our money on what may or may not work. $450 is half a month’s rent; one quarter of my income that goes to a roof over my head. The last thing I need is more financial problems on top of my depression.
And, for those who are basing is with negative opinions, you should know better. I’m sure not everything worked for you. I definitely question of this money greedy method truly has worked in the long run.
Good luck to all.
These jerks got their grubby scamming paws on my mothers bank account. She has some mental disorders that she is seeking help for, and we recently learned while trying to help with financial issues that these people have been charging her $100 a month for NOTHING. She has received nothing, and is just losing money. They prey on those who are desperate to try and cure themselves of whatever issues they may have. When we found out about what it was, and how it got started my Aunt called them, and tried to explain what is going on, and how she doesn’t really have the ability to make such decisions, and she was hung up on. These people are just another garbage scam to prey on people. Just like diet pills, and dating websites etc. STAY AWAY
I think Lucinda Bassett is not the owner of the company anymore, even if she still works for the buyers. This is what i understood reading her “Thuth be told” Her husband took his life after he lost all the money of the company making a wrong investment. The program worked very well on me and i will be grateful forever to Lucinda Bassett who seems to be one of the best persons i’ve ever known, even if only through her program and books. I don’t know why part of it is in youtube videos, i think at least it is worth to have a look on them before making an idea if it works or not
I have never heard of any tapes, programs or infomercials from her. But I do know I have the very first book she wrote and that was in the 90’s. From Panic to Power. That book was a lifesaver for me! I keep it very close just in case any anxiety or panic should come knocking on my door again. It never has and I hope to god it never does. That book taught me so much.
Jade you might want to give them to Brian who had no job or money to buy the CDs/tapes 🙂 Have a great day
These CDs helped me and I found them to be a good supplement to other books etc. Def not a quick fix, and I actually really liked the vitamins (the night ones) I fall asleep easier and wake up fresh. Ps Im not a fake customer 😉
I used the CDs as directed and it changed my life for the better in so many ways I could write a book on it. The techniques work. I could go on and on, but instead I will say since 2008 I frequently give thanks for the program, its advertising, and policies. At one point I could not pay the $40 a month and they gave me a grace period, interest-free and no judgement. I am no longer on meds, which by the way, are a lot more than $450/year and do not address the problem. Addressing symptoms is a good short term solution, but this program gave me a long term solution and I am so thankful for it.
This program worked for me. It saved my life and my marriage. The principals are straight forward as anxiety and the symptoms that develop from it are generally caused by our own thoughts which can be re trained. So the program cannot be bashed as a whole. I can understand that this may not work for everyone. It really depends on your personal case, whether or not there is a physical issue causing it, or a chemical imbalance etc. For those whose need to control things sends them into anxiety when they can’t control things…this works. For others counseling, medication or other sources may be needed. Nothing is one size fits all, but because it sadly did not work for some does not mean it is a crock. This worked wonders for me.
I think it’s completely reckless, misleading, and damaging to call this program fraudulent because it was not effective for you personally. As the previous poster suggests, no one single approach to treat ANY malaise or imbalance is going to work for EVERYONE. That’s simply unrealistic. Human physiology is far too complex to allow for that. I have witnessed this program be LIFE CHANGING for some of those who have used it. And I would think that any approach that does not necessitate the use of drugs, such as this one, should be considered a great place to start. I have recommended this program to several people based on the results I have seen, and will continue to do so with the utmost confidence.
I used to work in a call center selling this garbage to people. I could sell up yo 8-9 of these sets of tapes per hour. I got 8.00 commission for every sale. The trial period started the day the cassettes where ordered. All explained early to the buyer on the phone…so anyone with any sense should have realized that shipping, up to 5-10 business days, and the two weeks to review, was not even close to the time needed to return fur the full refund….I made great money…people got duped….long story short…I’m glad I don’t sell that stuff anymore.
Midwest Center – has a total of 204 complaints lodged as of Aug. 2015 between the Better Business Bureau/California – 152 complaints and @ the Business Consumer Alliance/California – 52 complaints. It was necessary for me to lodge a complaint against Midwest Center – after Midwest Center REFUSED to refund payments deducted from my account that were never approved/authorized by me – after returning product – never ordered. Midwest Center somehow deceitfully/deceptively obtained my account info to deceitfully/deceptively place order/initiate deductions not approved/authorized by me – that supports Midwest Center to be highly questionable business operation. Please check banking/charge statements monthly to stop/investigate unauthorized deductions asap – as timing is of essence for investigation.
I used the Attacking Anxiety and Depression program and it did help
me at a very vulnerable time in my life. It helped me to see that what I was feeling was not crazy and other people felt this way too. I wish I would have found the program before a doctor put me on meds for anxiety without any further suggestions on how to deal with it other than pharmaceuticals. Lucindas program connected me to other people who had gone through or were going through the same things I was and they then offered suggestions on how they worked through a panic attack or depression. It gave me a better understanding of what the body goes through when experiencing anxiety and depression and the best way to bring your self back to reality through different techniques such as breathing or positive self talk. So I thank Lucinda for putting this program together for people like myself and others who struggle with anxiety or depression. I pray for her on the loss of her husband as he was a very important part of her and their children’s lives.
They provide what is needed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a self help progra . They help you to relax everyday that is not a hoax. They explain what causes the problem that info is proven. They teach you how to think good healthy thoughts. They teach you how to cut out stimulants and bad food choices. Where’s the criminal activity? Have you spent the time and money to see professional counselor! A ton more money then you will spend on this program. And you will find that very few have the expertise in this condition that Lucinda/staff have. Oh and if you do fine the anxiety specialist they usually don’t accept insurance so you can pay several hundred a month. But I know it is hard to trust one more thing that might let you down. I certainly know. So if you think you can’t trust this program that order some books and will find a lot of the same concepts that can be helpful you will just won’t have the coaching as from this program
I plan to go to small claims court if they do not resolve this matter. If anyone has documentation and would like to help, please let me know.
Whether the tapes work or not is besides the point if you did not order them and are billed hundreds of dollars for a product is $70.00 online.
First of all, there are many types of emotional problems, so a one-size-fits-all program, especially an expensive one, should come with a reasonable trial period. I got the program on tape several years ago, used, from the Midwest Ce ter, for $150. There was no return option. I followed it. I am not going to say it was a huge help, but feel at the time it did help me some. However, I went all-out, buying every book I could find as well as (including Bassett’s books), getting short term counseling and medication (Zoloft and Xanax), which I used responsibly. I also seriously took up meditation, using the program of Pat Carrington. Years later, it seems the Midwest tapes are a lot of caffeinated talking by mainly Lucinda Bassett, who seems perhaps rather enamored with the sound of her own voice. Am I “cured” of anxiety and depression? No. I still use the same medications and I continue a serious meditation practice. As mentioned, the program is a lot of bubbly talk by Bassett about herself. I do not think she is a licensed therapist. If you are desperate, as I was, you will not likely rule out any avenue of help. Maybe that is a good thing, because, sooner or later, most will find help, if you don’t give up.
I just seen the infomercial pitch on dish network tv (10-6-15, 4.00.am) so I googled the Midwest center and found this site.agreed that one program does not fit all.did some more digging and concluded that its something that may work for just a few. Yes a few may have found some type of positive treatment,but it is probably about as useful for most peoples anxiety and depression treatment as one of those old 1970’s paperbacks of Dianetics or Pulling your own strings useing a lot of the same self help mental concepts that you can pick up at used book store for a Dollar.i am not going to generally bash this program because one size doesn’t fit all and it might work for some.I would suggest that you really research and think before you spend or let them spend your money on what is probably an expensive maybe.
So something didn’t work for you, therefore it is BS….across the board. Yeah, makes sense. So following your logic, if you drove a Honda and you didn’t like it, all cars are crap. One system is not meant for all people. You keep hunting until you find something that works for … you. This system worked for me, so I can’t trash it.
I did this program 9 years ago. I did it 2 or 3 times over a year and it absolutely helped me. You HAVE to change your way of thinking. That took me at least a couple years to totally overcome. Also I did not get bombarded with phone calls. If that happened to me, I probably would have been pissed too.
Hey everyone, Lucinda sold the program in 2009. She also sold the rights to use her name and picture for a period of time. The program is hers and it is still being sold under her name, but she has nothing to do with it or how it’s being marketed. Don’t blame her or the original group of people putting it out. If you’ve had issues with the marketing or sales people since 2009, it has nothing to do with her—so sad this is going on, as the program can work wonderfully for many many people.
Yes, as Karen indicated Lucinda sold the Midwest program in the 2008/2009 timeframe and based on the comments posted here they have engaged in unethical business processes. I purchased the program in 2006 which worked for me (noticed big difference in 4 mos) but you have to be dedicated to doing everything in the program. I had tried different psychologists, meds, self-help books, etc. which did not work. Many of us want something easy, simple, and fast to fix a problem in today’s society. You HAVE TO PUT THE WORK IN TO GET RESULTS. I still use the program when sometimes I find myself falling back into bad habits. The folks whom didn’t get results have to ask themselves…..”Did I really do all the work requested of the program”?
After this program, I went back to college (after 20+years) obtained another bachelor degree with honors and passed the rigorous CPA exam. After passing the CPA exam, I worked for a large public accounting firm for 2.5 years. I used many of the techniques learned in Lucinda’s program along my journey and I know would not have gotten there without this program.
Also, more importantly, my son was born with T21 or what some people call down syndrome and required heart surgery 6 mos. after birth. The program gave me the techniques to be strong and cope effectively throughout the process. I don’t know if/how much the program changed since my purchase in 2006. I think paid $350-$450 back then…don’t believe their was a trial offer at time but I can not set a value for me on this purchase. I got the book, reminder cards, and CD’S with my purchase. In closing, I hope this post helps one person whom was in that dark hole I was in for many years.
Love,
John
Just found this website and thought all the hate was interesting. I bought the Attacking Anxiety packet used so I guess I missed the hard sell. I am going to advise a friend start using it.
I will say this though, it changed my life. It took lots of work. I spent time daily for two to three weeks on each chapter. As I moved on to a new chapter I continued to work the techniques from previous chapters. I really focused on this stuff for around 6 to 8 months. That was about 20 years ago. I haven’t had a single panic attack in those 20 years and my over all anxiety levels are still much lower than they were before AA. I still use several of the techniques I learned to this day to manage stress. Hell, I still have digital copies of the chapters on my computer. They are that useful.
If you have serious anxiety issues and are willing to put in some work I would advise you give the program a shot. I would also advise you buy it used as there are plenty of mint copies out there.
I should also add. When I went through the program I only read the lessons. I simply could not stand the recordings.
I can’t imagine my life if i hadn’t found that course. I don’t work for the company i wasn’t told to write this. They don’t even know i exist lol. I just lived in a world of anxiety so severe that I couldn’t cope anymore. Since then i have been anxiety free. Her husband clearly suffered greatly and it is sad he wasn’t able to get help. It is for each person to know their limits and if this course isn’t for them and isn’t effective then they need to get different help. But for me it was life changing and his death isn’t “evidence” that the course doesn’t work. I purchased a second set of cd’s and book for a friend who decided to stick to her medication because it wasn’t for her – she never used it and thats a personal choice. But i did what i was told verbatim even when the tapes were a little annoying, the relaxation seemed impossible and the journey seemed pointless – by the time i got to the end i was a rewired and changed individual. Thinking differently becomes feeling differently and thinking differently requires creating a new habit – no matter how awkward and futile it might feel at first. It worked for me. Depression i don’t know as much about but as a solution to anxiety this was my ticket to a normal life again.
I used her program and it was a life saver. Nothing had ever helped me before. I have recommended it again and again! I did not even read your negative post because it seemed you were just an angry individual and I am sorry for you but this program is simply amazing!
I did the program. It saved my life. Its just like anything for a program to work you have to want it so bad you can taste it period. Lucinda Bassett is my hero.
The comment about her husband’s suicide wasclassless and discredited you in my book.
It worked for me. I listened to the tapes once and often twice daily and used what applied to me. Because of them, I haven’t had a panic attack in nearly 15 years. I recognize the body symptoms and can nip them in the bud so it gets nowhere near the panic stage. For me, this program was a lifesaver. It’s worked for others I’ve referred to it too.
At the age of 28, I began having anxiety attacks that were so overwhelming I became housebound. Just to walk to the corner store would cause me to have a full blown panic attack. Out of desperation I ordered Lucinda Bassett’s program which had no effect of my anxiety issues. After years of suffering, I decided it was time to face my fears head on and I made a conscious decision to stand up and fight. I began by putting myself in situations where I was uncomfortable which would bring on a panic attack.
Instead of running, I forced myself to stay in the situation until the panic attack would hit its peak and begin to come down. Each time I did this, I would stay in the situation for a little longer. Although it took several years of this “self therapy,” eventually I began to overcome anxiety disorder
and took back control of my life and although I still get a little anxiety occasionally, I no longer fear panic disorder. You too can do this.
I came across this program about 10 years ago. I went through the whole program but didn’t experience any relief so I was talked into signing up with a counselor. The counselor was someone who had gone through the program and also found help with other resources and tried her best to help me. I had become very agoraphobic due to my anxiety and depression. My counselor really helped me take the first steps to healing and facing my fears, which was so hard, but very important to recovery. I was finally able to start overcoming my agoraphobia. But I still struggled greatly. I also started looking towards other resources and came across a woman I saw on a Christian show who had overcome her anxiety and depression with the help of Lucinda’s program and learning to take care of her health, which is crucial to healing. Her name is Janet Maccaro. She mentioned and encouraged taking the supplements that the Midwest now sells. At the time I ordered these supplements from the company that manufactured them. They had no connection with the Midwest. And I would frequent the Midwest forum and share all that I had learned hoping it may help others.
The greatest thing I learned from the Midwest tapes was that my inner dialogue was my greatest enemy. So learning to track my inner dialogue and learning to change it helped me greatly. My second greatest enemy was my diet, and not getting out, and also not exercising. The stress in my life had no outlet and I all my bad habits were just creating more stress and then of course depression.
I did start seeing a change in the Midwest Center after a couple of years, and not a good change. Lucinda may have started out with really wanting to help people but I could see that she started to see her business has a way to profit from people’s struggles. And all the posts I’ve read of how much people are being charged and not refunded and “needing to read the small print” when no one should have to when it comes to being charged any amount, I have really lost all respect for her program.
I’d encourage people to find it used and as cheap as possible, or look into other resources that teach one how to change the way they think, from negative/stressful/depressive thoughts to positive/healing thoughts. Look for counselors or group counseling (which I also did) that can help with this. And cut caffeine and sugar out of your diet, or as much as possible. And eat and drink things that bring calmness to your body and mind. This is so important while healing. And get out in the sun, this is a great stress and depression reducer as the sun helps your body produce healing endorphin’s. This is a scientific fact, but make sure to wear sunscreen. 😉 And exercise. This greatly helps release stress, but again its so important to be able to track your negative, deceiving thoughts and turn them around to truthful, positive thoughts. If you have trouble with this have a friend help you out with this. A positive friend. 😉
I found that the bottom line, for myself, and many others that I’ve come to know, is that those who struggle with anxiety and depression are people who are very intelligent and who think too much on the wrong things that cause our problems. We dissect how we feel too much. We get into our own heads too much and critique ourselves and how our body feels too much. So we have to find ways to overcome this dilemma by taking better care of ourselves, mentally and physically and with the ways I mentioned. And do all those things you enjoy doing that bring good thoughts and feelings and that help you get out of your head.
I still get anxious at times, I still get down at times, because I’m still alive. I don’t beat myself up over it any more so I’m able to get through it and move on, which is “normal”.
I also want to mention a wonderful woman who also overcame anxiety and depression who helped me in my healing process, Patsy Clairmont. Her positive, uplifting books helped me learn to laugh again as I could relate to her.
Find people you can relate to who have struggled with anxiety and depression and overcame their struggles, it just helps the healing and makes “recovery” easier. And your mind and body do need to heal from the damage of ongoing anxiety and depression. The two things take a toll on your body and mind but you know that you can heal with time and patience.
Thank you Bill for starting this post. I know it was helpful to many. My best to you. 🙂
Too bad the program did not work for you. As for me, it was one of the things I spent money on. It really helped me get out of a bad slump in my life. And I never had a problem since that I could not work out. Not all programs are good for every one.
I purchased the complete package because at the time I needed help…I also went more $$$ to have a live coach each week on a conference call…She was very good, and I trusted her..
I did learn tools…I now look back and ask myself if it was necessary, and I say Yes. At the time. Now No! Fortunately I have grown. I was shocked to read that her husband committed suicide..what a shock to her and the family…I would like to read her book after this happened to her and the family….I wish all who suffer from fear, anxiety, pain of being super sensitive that they do not give up. Yes, some days are still so difficult, but with faith and pushing myself I do get through them….blessings to all who suffer
Read my book, “Scared ro Death, Do it Anyway”
TRUST,
I’m so sorry to hear this was your experience! I have had a completely different experience with the Midwest center. I ordered the program in 2006 and it’s absolutely changed my life. I was house bound due to panic attacks and too scared to use medications. It does increase your anxiety in the beginning because your thinking about and putting so much focus on anxiety, which they tell you will happen in several areas of the program. I do believe this program won’t work on just anyone.. I was incredibly open minded to it, worked very hard at it, and did everything the program said to do. I spent a lot of time on the program.. So I understand why it wouldn’t work for people who aren’t open minded, willing to change their mind sets, and people who want stay in a negative self destructive mind set. You can’t say your a positive person if you are depressed or anxious.. It simply isn’t true. Every anxiety program out there works the same way as this one, only I believe this one is gets more in depth than the others. The program works very much like CBT works, which is the #1 method proven to treat anxiety! Medications don’t treat it, only cover it up for the time being. Anyone willing to spend time writing about the awful things in this article is not a positive person. I wish you understood what a program like this could do for you. It’s not even just about thinking positive, it’s an entire lifestyle change. Knowing what this program has done for me, it was the best $400 I’ve ever spent! I wish you all well in finding what works for you. In the mean time lay off the companies and methods that have done great things for so many people.
I still have the whole kit . I never followed through the whole package . I enjoyed the jump start cd. I chose to reach out 4 God he has removed my depression. And anxiety stopped when I quit drinking in 2010
Guess I will put on Amazon for 175.00. ccrichwine@gmail.com
By 1999, my life long depression became insurmountable. I was in trouble and needed help fast. In human weakness I sought treatment through a psychiatrist……proved a huge mistake or possibly the wrong psychiatrist. I was on Effexor for awhile which I compare to doubling even tripling the symptoms and pain of depression. Hopefully that med has been black boxed by now. Then I was on Celexa for some years with moderate to good results, but with hard side effects. Fortunately, I began a relationship with Jesus Christ in 2009 that has not only 100% healed the depression, but my heart, mind, and life overflow with hope and joy! There is no pit so deep that God’s light cannot penetrate deeper still. He can save you and waits for you to call on his name. He loves everyone, no matter your past or present. You are worthy of his love and saving grace. Ask him to forgive your sins and ask he, who died and paid the debt of our sins to Heaven, to save you now! Don’t settle for misery. Humble your heart and ask God to guide you in prayer now. I prayer those in need of God’s saving love will accept his gracious gift of everlasting life today. You are truly loved by the only one who can save you, his name is the Lord Jesus Christ.
When I ordered these tapes in 1988 they came with a 30 day guarantee. After trying them out I liked the support they gave, but did not feel they were what I needed. I called them and I was able to return them and they did credit my account as promised.
I feel your pain and would quickly tell you my experience. I had extreme anxiety causing health problems and yes I was drinking and smoking. Heard like you and started to follow program. I knew I had to stop self medicating to succeed . I needed to or I might have died. I continued with the program and I did succeed and beat the anxiety! Now 12 years later life is bringing me huge anxiety crippling my mind. I searched you tube and found Lucinda. I all ready feel so much better and am beating this! I have lost a dear Friend who was on anxiety medicine to suicide. I do not want pills to do this to me and Cognitive therapy can work. I hope it can help you and wish you all the best.
Hi. I wanted to address the statement that they promise a cure. I did not get that impression when I ordered their program 10 years ago. For me, it was the beginning of understanding the ‘disorder’ and beginning to learn methods to manage and heal. It was very helpful to me as a tool. I started to be able to address my automatic thoughts and learn how to manage situations that caused me severe anxiety. It was not a ‘cure’ although to some it may really be the complete solution. It is a journey. I would also recommend a technology called ‘heartmath’ for anyone suffering. As we all know, anxiety and depression is very very painful. I wish you all luck and relief.
The program saved my life 11 years ago and I haven’t had a panic attack since. Very grateful.
I don’t care what anybody says negative about this program. IT CHANGED MY LIFE!! I inherited my grandmother’s house after I found her dead in the bathroom! After that, I started having panic attacks but didn’t realize what was happening to me. I had/have a perfect life but couldn’t understand why I felt so much guilt. My inner thoughts were, “What did I do to deserve this beautiful house, waterfront, so perfect, perfect husband, perfect life, nothing to worry about, so why am I so anxious?” I swear I was in bed one night in the spare bedroom, not to wake my husband because I was tossing & turning. My mind was racing. (What if I die, have a heart attack? I’ll die alone!). I hadn’t talked to God in a while, so in my desperation, I started crying then praying, “Please God, allow me to enjoy this beautiful life you blessed me with instead of feeling guilty. Please help me.” What happened next is something I’ve NEVER done… Something told me to just get up, go downstairs & watch TV to distract myself since I wasn’t sleeping anytime soon (around 3am or so). I turned on the TV & without changing the channel, the infomercial was on! (“Attacking Anxiety & Depression”). As I started listening to the stories, I started sobbing & thought “that’s exactly how I feel! I couldn’t believe it! Literally, my prayers were answered! I got on the phone & ordered the program. I spoke to someone, asked a lot of questions, he was so helpful! I mentioned how I also had a problem with swallowing, he confirmed that a lot of people go through that with anxiety & lose a lot of weight (which I was also). I gave him all my information & when he told me how much I would be charged, I told him I didn’t care – I was convinced! No, I wasn’t cured overnight, it’s a commitment! I learned so much! Especially how to talk to myself – self dialogue, how to express my feelings to my husband & family. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. How exercise & diet are so important, how certain things are no big deal, writing down pros & cons help so much! But the biggest thing I loved the most about this program was…after all the time my State Trooper husband was so supportive & said he understood, he actually had HIS first panic attack & didn’t know what was happening, BUT I DID! I told him to check his breathing & explained what was happening to him. He actually apologized about saying how he understood what I was going through but really didn’t until it actually happened to him. He has also helped fellow State Trooper coworkers who confided in him what they were feeling & he sincerely understood & knew how to help them calm down & change their inner thoughts. Again, I believe things happen for a reason, my prayers were answered, I was helped by Lucinda, my husband was helped by me, his friends & coworkers were helped by him. The program only takes time, patience, dedication, positive thinking & self-reminders every once in a while. You can’t have a negative attitude going into it right off the bat! Stay positive! You CAN choose to be happy! Force a smile sometimes, even if you really don’t want to. I can’t imagine still feeling like I did 10 or so years ago, anxious all the time. Now, I’m much happier & my tears are though laughter 🙂
Excellent course. Did a lot for me. I am unaware of any customer service problems as I never needed to contact them. Drugs are not the answer. Cognitive awareness is. I haven’t had a panic attack in the 12 years since I took this course and I had them regularly before hand. You have to be dedicated and do the course as directed. I sense many people expected to listen to tapes and they would magically help them. You have to be aware of why depression and anxiety happen and how to change your way of thinking to help yourself.
I have to say the tapes and when I upgraded to the cd’s worked for me as well. You have to be open minded and use all the tools. Excellent program still being used today to help family and friends. If it wasn’t for Lucinda Bassett, I don’t know where I would be today…
Not sure what happened with the $450 spent…but it was about $250 for me in 1993… The Midwest Center program forever changed my life to a huge positive. I am in alternative health care / integrative medicine and I have been able to help dozens of people with anxiety and depression thanks to the skills from Lucinda Basset’s program. It saved my life back in 1993. I’m still using the knowledge and skills to this day. I’m sorry you had a negative experience. Not sure why and certainly don’t understand the expense, as the expense hasn’t changed much in over 20 years. All the best to you!
$520.00 was taken out of my bank account for the entire kit, i tried unsuccessfully to return the kit for a refund, it has never been opened and i have been in a financial downspin since they took the money, how do i return it for my refund?
Invaluable post , Speaking of which if you need to fill out a a form , I edited a template form here https://goo.gl/7LnPWp
I have to say, this program helped me immensely. I did not pay for it, however. Someone I know had purchased it and lent it to me when I started dealing with severe anxiety. I was a mess and had no understanding of what was happening inside of me. I thought I was going insane. An older sibling developed manic depression as a teen, and I thought the same thing – or worse – was on the way for me.
This program gave me tremendous and invaluable insight into what was happening with me, WHY I was dealing with this anxiety, that I was NOT going insane, and gave me some incredible and helpful tips I still use to this day. It also led me to many other – and BETTER – resources, but this is the one that got me going on the right track. I would not in any way label it as a “sham” or a “scam.”
As said, though, I did not purchase it, and from what has been said here, it sounds like the business practices are suspect. I didn’t see that side. For me, the information was absolutely priceless. I would take long walks listening to these tapes over and over, and the stories others told on them really resonated with me. Lucinda was probably the person I felt connected to the least on those tapes, but I can’t deny that they helped me tremendously. I have never had such severe episodes of anxiety since. I know that I’m prone to this, but I also know what it is, why it’s there and what I can do to deal with the periods of anxiety and depression and, most importantly, how to make sure that they will indeed pass. I’m truly grateful to this program and what it taught me. In fact, I have a workmate dealing with this kind of thing, and I was telling her about things I’d learned in the past, which drove me to look online to see what was up with the Midwest Center. Thought that might be a good place for my friend to start. I’m so saddened to hear that Lucinda’s husband took his own life. But that should not cancel out the good the information in this program has done and can do. There is no magical cure for this. It’s still up to each of us to cure ourselves. This program gave me the tools to start doing that. I went on to more advanced tools, particularly the works of John Sarno and others.
So while I can’t comment on the business practices of this place, I can definitely comment on the efficacy of the information I learned from this program. It was truly a life raft for me and led me to much smoother seas. Peace to all.
This program was a life saver for me. I developed anxiety. GAD and Panic Attacks in 2005. Once I worked the program the exact way it says I can say that I do have anxiety crop up every now and again for a bit. But it is not 24 hours a day 7 days a week full on Panic Attacks.
I will say that you have to do the whole program for it to work. Every tape. In the beginning- 2006 I would stop once I felt relief. One time it was after DVD 3, able to go about a year, next time after DVD 7 – again about 2 years. And then it was sporadic and controllable.
2011 I finally buckled down and did the whole program from start to finish and it has saved my life and my families life.
I may need to watch it again as I am going through a big trauma. I went from 2012-2016 with being 99.9% anxiety free.
I can remember seeing Lucinda s late night program for the first time and got a feeling of relief that someone else felt the way i did.I ordered the program as soon as i could,those were the darkest days of my life,The program is like anything else it will only work if you work it.I praise Lucinda and thank her as for those of you who still suffer i feel for you,but to bad talk Lucinda is just wrong,i can see shes sincere and has helped thousands,she should be proud of herself that she had the courage to share her life and doing so helping others,isnt that what lifes about?Im saddened to here of her husbands death i just learned of it.Lucinda God bless you and your family and thank you.
I bought my CDs several years ago. It took me three years of listening and over and over and over again until they penetrated my brain enough to know the answers when anxiety came along. I slipped and fell a couple years ago and got a concussion anxiety returned and depression in a way that I never experienced before. I went on an antidepressant and with that and the skills that I was taught or Lucinda States I was able to overcome this. I experience depression in a way that I could not change my thinking hence I went on the antidepressant but I’m sure it wouldn’t have worked in itself if I did not have Lucinda States. I don’t know what kind of problem anybody had with these tapes but I think they’re amazing terrific and wonderful. My daughter lost her husband to suicide and I’ll tell you what, sometimes it’s not a choice.
I went to a psychologist called herself “the anxiety center ” my visit was taking one of the CDs home that she let me borrow and I come back and talk about it and that was $125 each time I spoke with her I did it for about five times and we both got bored very strange psychologist and we didn’t continue . There are some whacko psyches out there be careful. I was full of anxiety and didn’t know better.
This program has helped me cope with my anxiety. It felt good to listen to other people who suffered the same problems as myself. I bought it in 1999 and have used it every time my OCD has got out of control. The reason I came across this site is that I was looking to see if I could buy the program in Mp3 for my ipod so I didn’t have to pull out my old tape player. I was all ready to pay $300 to get it, that’s how much I loved using the program in the past. It really worked for me. I think too many people are expecting a miracle right off the bat — but this is a course you really have to work at. It’s not a quick fix, although the stopping OCD thoughts tape which has positive affirmations on it has really helped me when I start to obsess. I’m glad to hear this has helped other people. And I also feel sad and upset to hear about Lucinda’s husband. But you have to realise, someone committing suicide doesn’t always have to be due to anxiety, it was probably due to other factors. The relaxation tape has helped me fall asleep countless times and I had adrenal fatigue and listen to her tapes and it actually cured me. No one is perfect, and it might not work for everyone, but this program has saved lives and helped a lot of people. Thank you Lucinda.
Ordered her tape series 14 years ago to help navigate through difficult times when my little 5 year old had seperation anxiety and panic attacks. The tools were helpful for me as a parent who tried seemingly everything and wanted so much to help my son without medication which is what doctors were resorting to. I woukdnt comply and believed there was a heakthier way. It wasn’t a miracle but it helped. He developed coping mechanisms over time that through maturity soon became natural responses. Maybe not for everyone but it has helped far too many to call it a sham.
Here’s an article I found about her husband, interesting to read for those who understand and have compassion for those whose lives are not perfectly stable.
http://www.allianceofhope.org/blog_/2013/04/too-little-too-late-one-womans-story-of-the-loss-of-her-husband-and-partner-to-suicide.html
I bought these tapes when I was desperate and in a bad place. I was maybe 21. They were the best thing my money could buy. I am a success story. These tapes are no cure. I supplemented the tapes with other tools. It’s one thing to dislike how things went for yourself and speak straightforward truth, which I applaud. However, that is not what you did. You have turned people who these tapes may have helped away because you were unsatisfied. Slander and ridicule are unnecessary and inappropriate. Truth is one thing but just being angry and spitting out “word vomit” is asking for negative attention. I pray that you do find what will help you, but please be careful not to hurt others along your journey.
I wrote a letter to lucinda when going through my anxiety and agaorophobia back in 1996. In this letter I stated my issues and my current situation as a single mom on welfare and had no money. She sent me 5 cassette tapes and 2 work books for free!! And it changed mylife for the better. I am forever Grateful for my positive experience and the compassion she showed me.
Lucinda’s tapes book help me understand so much about myself and I give her one hundred percent reason why I recovered and detain is success in my own right I am on antidepressant probably forever but with her help I was able to use the antidepressants in a positive way.
Awesome programs
I like you dropped the program… I worked for awhile but something wasn’t working. I went back to smoking long story short.. Then I was 44 ,,now I am 52..off all meds ..still smoke, only to give back a slap in the face to those that keep saying all my problems where due to smoking..that is so untrue… The problem was amalgam fillings which had me being sick for about 15 years.. Ive recently had the fillings in my teeth removed.. and my health is turning around…lungs eyes digestive aches fatigue irritability neurological problems. heart palps anxiety depression. All almost gone.. now I am going back to the program.. due to years of trial and error.. It works for what it is, just need to stick with it.. Hope no one ever has to go through the gauntlet that I have.. All I am suggesting is that the program is only a part of the cure , everyone is different.. Good luck
I am a success story. I feel bad for those that haven’t found a way out of the hell and misery that living with anxiety and depression is. This program was the absolute key for my ‘rebirth’ if you will. I was diagnosed with social anxiety when I was 9 years old. The next 11 years were a constant roller coaster of abusive and unhelpful therapists, frightening medical tests, and fistfuls of drugs no child should ever have to deal with. By the time my parents ordered this program I was incapable of walking to the mailbox for fear that I would be seen and judged.
The program taught me about myself and within the first year I was a person again. I consider myself in ‘recovery’. I don’t believe such serious issues ever fully disappear. They are born of bad mental habits and genetic dispositions, and should always be kept an eye on. The moment I begin to slack off those old habits will reassert themselves.
It’s been about 11 years since I ‘graduated’ from the program. People who know me now hardly believe stories I tell them about those hard years. I’ve pursued an education in psychology and will be graduating in the fall. I like to tell my story, because when people are in a bad place they always think they are the only one; that they are alone. All I can say is that you are never alone. Pay attention to your negative thought patterns and how they affect your body symptoms. Pursue CBT therapy. Don’t give up on what you want your life to be. It is always attainable.
I purchased the tapes off EBay for $200 or so and it was the best money I ever spent. They literally changed my life. I am a success story.Was it overnight? No. But I worked hard and reprogrammed my whole psyche. I am so glad I did because I was that desperate. Even if Lucinda could not save her husband so to speak, I am sure she has saved millions of people like myself who wa becoming in a suicidal state over anxiety and depression. Get the CD’s if you are having doubts but get them used! They work!!
you know, it’s awful that you suffered from panic attacks. I have suffered from severe anxiety and panic since I was 10. I even remember some random incidents from before that age. The tapes from the Midwest TOTALLY helped. I listened to them and they made sense to me. It’s about having strength of mind, which is what I developed. I still have panic attacks, but I have a different way of reacting and thinking to them that allows the panic to go away. I don’t give the panic control over me anymore.
I don’t know about all the drama behind the scenes or what was going on in David Bassett’s life, but I do know the program worked. People experience periods of weakness and sadness in their lives, regardless of the help they’ve received. perhaps more compassion, than asshole sarcasm from this writer would be more appropriate.
So this program definitely worked for me and I credit it with helping me get beyond my struggles with anxiety that I experienced in my mid-20s. It definitely isn’t a quick fix as it takes time to overcome mental and emotional patterns, and I actually repeated the entire program several times. I even ordered a second copy when they came out on CDs. I would listen to my favorite tapes in the car during my commute for years. I learned a lot from this program and it gave me hope and inspired me through some dark times. I highly recommend this program to anyone struggling with anxiety or depression. You get out of something what you put in and if you are sincere and really want to overcome your struggles with anxiety and/or depression and put in the effort to learn and practice the skills this program teaches you can and will prevail.
The Attacking Anxiety & Depression program worked for me. Got me off all my meds. Well worth the price and effort.
I find it ironic that everyone is complaining about the 450 dollars and the program not working for them so therefore it must be a scam and they are scam artist for selling it. If you order the Dave Ramsey program and not follow it is he a scam artist? He is telling you not to buy into BS but yet you have to buy his program…DOCTORS cost you a helluva lot more that 450 dollars…one therapy session would cost you that…and how many of us have totally wasted our time begging the very people that swear they can help us.
This program does work if you face the cold hard facts about yourself. If you choose to continue to blame everything bad in your life on someone else you clearly didn’t listen or hear anything in the program!! Lucindas husband was on the business isde of the company not the healing side or spokes person side…should everyone who has lost a loved one to suicide be judged? Unbelievable!
This program literally saved my life! It also taught me to talk and be more positive to my children so that they didn’t grow up with the same bad negative self talk and self loathing that I had my whole life! They themselves (my children) will tell you the things hat program taught made our family an emotional, constructive, healthy place to grow up!
I too had depresion and anxiety. I bought this program after a while of thinking about it made a payment and didn’t continue to make payments but kept using the program and it really helped me a lot and didn’t even finish the program and was already feeling better. They started to call me for their money but were very nice about it and I eventually did paid them.
Unlikely that anyone will read this far, but the “no refund” policy can be overcome by contacting your credit card company and telling them that you have contacted the company and telling them you have been unable to resolve the dispute. Adding the words “internet scam” and “fraud” will cause action to be even quicker.
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with this but this program changed my life in 2003 and every day I am grateful for it. Thats that. I had anxiety of the worse kind. And its gone for GOOD.
I’m so glad I didn’t come across this website (or websites similar to this one) when I purchased
this program back in 2005. I might be still struggling with anxiety. It’s been 13 years free of panic attacks and I owe it to this program.
People are very suspicious when it’s time to part with their money.
I feel sorry for the people who still struggle with anxiety and depression, but if you continue to struggle when there is help available it’s your fault.
Don’t let some negative people talk you out of your healing.
I got the program for free, so I can’t comment on what it’s like doing business with this company.
However, I can say that the program itself saved my life. Following it resulted in me doing more things to get help, like getting an actual therapist. It was the catalyst for all of the good things that have happened to me over the last 12 years.
I’m bummed to hear their business practices aren’t great, but the program is.
Personally, I think it is awful to bring up David Bassett’s suicide. That shows a decided lack of sensitivity. Additionally, Lucinda Bassett said that I might never have a panic attack again if I followed the program, and she was right. I never did. That was twenty years ago and literally a life altering event. I also still take a variation of the vitamins you mention, to include Nature Made B100 which also is grounded in helping with anxiety symptoms. When I called and explained as a single mom, I could not afford that price tag, they cut the cost in half for me and allowed me to make payments. It was worth every penny. I’ve since recommended the book From Panic to Power to dozens of friends, peers and family members. For those who follow the systematic approach, it has been incredibly effective in addressing or minimizing symptoms. I’m sorry it did not work for you and as you mentioned, nothing is a blanket cure for all.
Well, I used these tapes about 15 years ago and they literally saved my life. Along with the tapes is a workbook, and you need to do both. $450 is cheap when you consider what anxiety and depression do for you. That’s about two sessions at a therapist, and no therapist helped me the way these tapes did.
It’s sad that this review is one of the first things that come up when searching the program. I wonder how many people this review has kept from trying it.
If you are suffering from severe anxiety/ panic attacks and depression, this program can change your life if you follow the exercises all the way through as described.
The company handling the marketing may have been low budget at times, But Lucinda and her team pioneered the most effective self treatment available while everyone else was prescribing magic pills and expensive, ineffective therapy.
I don’t know why the author would write a poor review about a program he half assed. Do you work for big pharma or something?
It’s a shame that so many talk negatively about this program. I went through it and sure it cost me money but within a few weeks of doing the relaxation tape AND listening to the tapes helped me so much. I started this back in 1995 and just knowing that I wasnt crazy and hearing the stories of others who went through the same things and feelings I did, may have saved me. I had no control of my panic attacks and this definitely helped me regain that control. I would hug that woman today if I saw her for how it helped me. ( and by the way. I’m no weak person. I am ex military and very strong willed. My chemical imbalance was so out of control I didnt know what to do. And THIS DID WORK.
This program helped me immensely. HOWEVER, I was given the program through my therapist, and didn’t have to shell out $450 for it. She also worked with me on the program, so I didn’t go it alone. That made all the difference, IMHO.
The program saved my life and you Can Not put a price tag on that… Sorry it didnt work for you…
My husband died in 2001. In 2002 I began having debilitating panic attacks. I had no idea what they were and thought I had a heart problem . It was the most terrifying thing ever and months went by until I saw every specialist’s and ruled out medical concerns . I read Lucinda Bassets books and ordered the tapes. I would not have survived without them.
I highly recommend her material . Its NOT a cure all . You have to out the work in yourself and be dedicated to healing . Her husband obviously had a hard time and when you ARE the owner of a stress and anxiety help facility , I’m sure it was so much pressure to not share his own struggle. No one should be discrediting them or their program because he committed suicide . Very sad . Tragic.
I was the LAST one I ever thought would become paralyzed by panic attacks and not wanting to leave my house . It happened and I got past it . I am very grateful to Lucinda Bassett .
Worked for me and it was worth it if it will help me I’m going to pay for it I still use it till this day when I feel a bit anxiety or depression creeping up I am grateful for her program I still follow her and do the coaching with her as well..
This is a strange website. $450 is the cost of 3 hours of therapy just to put it into perspective. Also put into perspective if you committed suicide would you want your spouse to be completely discredited for your choice? A licensed therapist won’t treat you if you refuse to believe you can be helped. Situations like this are the reason why. For others reading this, it’s a decent program that uses CBT that might not be for everyone. Some people need medication and a psychiatrist. Now that you can buy it used, give it a shot and keep an open mind.
Lucinda Bassett’s program was life-changing for me. You have to do the work, and it may not be for everybody. But I had depression, anxiety, and panic attacks to the point I could barely leave my home. I also took medication from a doctor who prescribed minimally and also insisted on physical activity and eating right. The combination worked for me after a long period of hopelessness. It wasn’t instant, but it’s changing years and years of unhealthy thought patterns.
Regarding Lucinda Bassett’s tapes, I purchased them used on Ebay for $80 including shipping and find them very helpful. You just have to listen to them more than one time! As far as her husband’s suicide, he had a deep mental illness and was under psychiatric care. Lucinda pleaded for him to be hospitalized the night he took his life. No judgment there!
I purchased this years ago. I had severe anxiety and wasn’t able to leave my house for 5 years. This helped me. It takes time it doesn’t happen overnight. You have to follow the program. I’ve had a job for the past 20 some odd years, rode into Manhattan, I drive myself places. Trust me this works
Interesting how none of the positive comments agree to point out that it’s unethical for a company to offer a 30 day “free trial” of their product and then not honor that offer when someone wants to return the item before the 30 day “free trial” is over. And then for their customer service to not care – only being driven by sales. This all sounds very cultish to me. I know, I escaped one.
This is exactly the part I was speaking of — saying free trial and then…
I paid $450 bucks basically for cassettes and CD’s of sleep inducing sounds of nature I could’ve bought for a fraction elsewhere…
Someone bought this program for me because of the return policy. I didn’t even want this program, but I must admit, it saved my life. You are right though. There is no one cure for everyone, and what works for one person may not work for the next, but you are also right in saying that this program may have worked for some people. I am one of them. Also, I must say, that the program does not call itself the 15 week cure all. It clearly states that healing is a lifelong process, which oddly enough, is one of the statements that lessened my anxiety. I ended up keeping it and cherishing it. I am not an apologist, but I do want to share my experience. I have had very rough times since completion, but because of the skills I learned from this program, I was able to navigate them and come out better. For those who want to get this program on Amazon, I encourage you to do so. I wish this program still existed. I cringe to think who may be suffering like I was, and still needs this but it is not there for them like it was for me.
I purchased this years ago and i did the work, i listened to cd’s every night and did notebook.. i was very bad with anxiety and nothing was helping.. my mom got me the tapes as a last resort and im so glad she did.. You dont get better over night, it takes time and you have to be dedicated.. In fact years later whenever i feel anxious i listen to the cd’s and they help..
The parts about being charged for the program before the trial period was up and not being able to get a refund, plus the part about being charged for vitamins that you didn’t order all sound familiar.
I was on the Midwest’s forum for several years, from late 2002 to late 2004, then again in 2007 for a period. I heard stories like this from a number of people then, also.
However, the program itself is simply cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. CBT has been proven to be as effective, and sometimes more effective, than meds for treating clinical depression and anxiety/panic. It has literally “cured” some people, myself being one of those people. When I say “cured” I mean it brought me out of a deep hole of depression when I was on anti-depression meds and had been for decades. The program and Dr. David D. Burns’ book “Feeling Good, the New Mood Therapy” got me fully functioning again and back into the work force.
There are tons of clinical trials that prove this is true. You can find a long list of these in the back of Dr. Burns’ book. A few are:
“Psychotherapy versus medication for depression: Challenging the conventional wisdom with data.”
“This article reviews a wide range of well-controlled studies comparing psychological and pharmacological treatments for depression. The evidence suggests that the psychological interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, are at least as effective as medication in the treatment of depression, even if severe.”
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-14973-001
“Psychotherapy for the treatment of depression: a comprehensive review of controlled outcome research”
“Using studies that compared psychotherapy with either no treatment or another form of treatment, this article assesses (a) the overall effectiveness of psychotherapy for depressed clients, (b) its effectiveness relative to pharmacotherapy, and (c) the clinical significance of treatment outcomes. Findings from the review confirm that depressed clients benefit substantially from psychotherapy, and these gains appear comparable to those observed with pharmacotherapy.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2200072/
“Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence ”
“Overall, CBT appears to be both efficacious and effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, but dismantling studies are needed to determine which specific treatment components lead to beneficial outcomes and which patients are most likely to benefit from these treatment components. ”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26487814/
There are lots of these studies available online that show the same result.
I’m not “cured” in the sense that I have no lasting issues with self esteem or problems in relationships. I had clinical depression for forty years and was on meds all of that time. I was under the care of a psychiatrist all this time, meaning I would see one every 3 months. Having found CBT at the age of 50, I worked with the Midwest’s program for about 4 years to begin with and was on their online forum for this period. I made a couple of very good friends on the forum that provided me with unconditional acceptance and love. That was of immeasureable help to me as I struggled to get better. At age 67 I no longer needed meds of any kind for emotional/mental stability. It was at that time my psychiatrist didn’t want to see me any longer. So, for six years now I’ve not been under the supervision of such a doctor, nor have I been on meds for depression or anxiety.
But, I could tell the program was helping me within the first few months after starting to work the Midwest’s program. I was 50 then. That was in 1999 and 2000. I learned from the program that I was my own worst enemy, meaning I was harder on myself than anyone else. I was mercilessly judgemental on myself. I didn’t love myself as I was. I learned through the program how to be my own best friend and how to give myself the unconditional love I needed. There were other important skills I learned from the program, but this was key to my healing and getting better.
If you have the Midwest’s program I’d recommend buying Dr. Burns’ book and comparing them. You’ll find they are very much alike. The same things are taught in both.
As I was trying to figure out my “stuff” and struggling a lot, to the point of not being able to work at age 48, my Son was growing up. He was 13 at that time. He was 15 when I found the program and he suffered emotional abuse from me. It wasn’t intentional on my part, but in his own words I was “like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde” to him. He left home in this condition and went to college. He did well and graduated with close to a 3.5 GPA. He then went to graduate school and completed the classwork for a Masters, all with honors grades, but he couldn’t get his lab work to come out successfully so he never got his Master’s Degree.
He had started drinking in high school, which I wasn’t aware of, and at age 33 he had progressed to alcoholism. A lot of this was due to the pressure he had learned, from me, to put on himself. With all the success he achieved with his college work, he didn’t like himself and the main reason for this, IMO, was the messages he got from me while growing up.
He learned from me that he “wasn’t good enough”. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I learned this as a child, also, I never felt good enough.
Fast Forward to April, 2022. My Son came close to ending his life. He had the place and the time chosen. His wife intervened. Then he called me that night. I was devastated but tried as best I could to love him during the phone call. To tell him how precious he was. That helped him. He went into rehab in June for about 4 to 6 weeks. Paid for by his health insurance from work, mostly. He was off alcohol that long and it cleared his mind and helped him feel much better physically and emotionally. Just the time away from work was very good for him.
But the job pressure got to him again after coming out and he started drinking again. In about October or November he stepped down from being the Director for Research at his company and took a job there with less responsibility. That was a big help. In November he as able to stop drinking completely and has remained sober up until now, March 21, 2023.
He’s also been learning the skills taught by CBT and DBT since June of last year and is getting “the hang of it” now, I think. He’s learning how to love himself unconditionally and to not be so unmercifully hard on himself.
Our relationship has been good since he graduated from college, but he suffered emotional abuse while growing up. He’s felt defective ever since. He’s learning how to undo that programming now with CBT and DBT. I am so grateful for the Midwest’s program and for Dr. Burns’ books. They led me out of the wilderness and as a result I was able to help my Son come out as well.
I forgot to mention that I was an alcoholic at age 34 to 36, had started drinking at 24 in the Army. Then I was able to break completely from the alcohol for good. My son was only 2 when I became totally sober.
It does take some time to get to a point where you are much better, but the program is solid. Sometimes it may not work, I don’t know, can’t speak to that because it has worked for me. I needed to be on medicine while working with it. I couldn’t have improved without being on medicine. At the same time, being on meds for 23 years before finding the program hadn’t done me that much good. The combo of meds and the program is what worked for me.
AT 27 to 67, anxiety/panic wasn’t my main problem. Depression was. However, at 18 I did experience panic attacks and they were horrible. That would have been tougher to deal with, I think, had I had a lot of anxiety the second time around. My Son has anxiety with depression, or he did. How he’s been able to function through all of this and keep a job amazes me. My hope is he’s on the other side of this now.
My psychiatrist told me that this program is cognitive behavioral therapy on a tape. Lucinda Bassett worked with a doctor to develop this program, but cognitive behavioral therapy has been around for awhile and works but takes work. I did this program and by week three I gained confidence and started to be myself again. I also take medication. Everyone is different but this helped me out a lot with my OCD. It was expensive but worth every penny.