I´m really interested in the effectiveness of CBT
Written by
Chy
1. May 2005 05:30 PM
I´m really interested in the effectiveness of CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) on depression and other mental health problems.
If any one wants to know more about it or has used it,in any way PLEASE make a comment.
Afterall this is one of the few places we can help eachother and learn.
Friendship and inner peace to all.
Chy
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Hi Chy, I have just started CBT after 15 long y
Written by
Callie
8. May 2005 10:55 PM
Hi Chy,
I have just started CBT after 15 long years suffering depression that has seemed to get worse as I get older (mind you I am only 31...sometimes I wonder what I will be like when I am 40 if things keep going this way) I can´´t really give you a definite answer as to results as yet...have only been to 4 sessions....but I think it is very important to adopt the principles of CBT just as a means of learning to cope with life in general not just the really black days.
I have to say I have found it really difficult to actually ´´pin down´´ my negative thoughts - you need to do this in order to recognise what thinking errors you are making/what pattern of thinking errors you as an individual adopt and to challenge these thoughts.
I am lucky that I have managed to find a really excellent therapist (unlike my psychiatrist, she actually seems to have a genuine interest in getting me out of this rut I´´m in) and she doesn´´t charge heaps....This is a real issue that prevents a lot of mental illness sufferers from seeking and successfully finding the right therapy for them. So many private psychologists charge an absolute fortune....I earn okay money but most of them are still way out of my reach price-wise. If this is an issue for you, most unis that offer post-grad psych courses have behavioural research centres or clinics (Some of the psychs are even properly accredited and are just undertaking further research so with the right therapist you are still getting someone who really does know what they are doing) Highly recommend this as I found my therapist this way and she is FAR better than 99% of the private pschs I have been to.
Anyway, if you want to know any more about my own experience as I progress I am more than happy to share :-)
Best of luck
Callie
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Hi Callie, Thanks so much for your comments on
Written by
Chy
9. May 2005 12:09 PM
Hi Callie,
Thanks so much for your comments on the subject of CBT, and sharing a little about yourself.
You only have to read my diary posts, to see I too have suffered from depression for a lot of my life.
I can now see where the negative thoughts originated.
The longer we suffer from Dep without good therapy e.g. CBT, the longer it stays with us, and the harder it is to change our thought patterns.
I was told about CBT 18 months ago. It was the only thing that has made sense in the process of coping with Dep.
I accept meds can help get us to a place in our heads, where we can take in the concept of CBT, and allow us to practice it more effectively.
People often look at me as though I´´m nuts, when I talk about CBT, negative thoughts, core beliefs etc but boy once you get the hang of it, it can change your life.
It doesn´´t stop depression but it has helped me control my depression, to the point now I can bring myself up, and out of a downward slide. I can also recognise it coming on earlier, and have helped my own partner, and family recognise the negative thought patterns, that affect their lives and thus mine.
I wanted to take part in an out patient group CBT program but they don’t have it in this town, so I taught myself from the net, books that my previous phsych gave me etc.
I still find the hardest times to cope with are looking in the mirror, and going out in public. That´´s when I have to be the strongest and catch the neg thoughts immediately.
The technique I use is imagery;
I imagine the faces, and the voices of the two characters in my head, the one that says, ´´you´´re ok´´, and the one that says, ´´you´´re ugly, useless, etc´´. I simply tell the negative one to get lost (or stronger on bad days), some days I have to swear under my breath, and get angry at it but it is actually a relief, and good reminder to stay strong.
I’m kind to the other character, and thank it for being within me, and being my friend.
It’s not always easy, and when you are tired it’s hard to keep up, but after a while you find you actually have positive thoughts with out speaking to the characters.
There are some wonderful exercises you can get to help you with it.
I found the tough part was to recognise my core beliefs – they were not at all what I expected them to be, and this is the part of CBT, where a good therapist is worth their weight in gold.
I’d love to keep in touch, as I believe we constantly learn from one another.
Thanks again and the very best of luck. Please let me know how you go.
Cheers and friendship
Chy
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Hey Chy. I do have CBT but it doesn´´t
Written by
Anonymous
9. May 2005 11:29 PM
Hey Chy. I do have CBT but it doesn´´t seem to be working. I try to reverse my thoughts but it doesn´´t work!!! It is so frustrating.
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Hi ya Shakes, I can relate to the frustration b
Written by
Chy
10. May 2005 02:00 AM
Hi ya Shakes,
I can relate to the frustration but I also just read your diary entry, and it sure seemed to work that time.
It´´s a long road but I know you have the ability in you to be the person you want to be.
Sometimes you just have to accept CBT means not thinking all the time, and just living. Giving your brain a rest, reducing your self-analysis, and not trying to predict outcomes, often makes your life a lot easier.
It´´s a little like the KIS (keep it simple) principle.
As Deppies, we tend to over analyse ourselves at times, when all we need is rather simple; Caring, nurturing, and increased self worth.
Hang in there, and don´´t get down on yourself, take every little achievement as a bonus.
Your mate
Chy
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