A “new” type of treatment, CBT, have you heard of this?
I have been reading about the success of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), by Beck, and it sounds very good.
This therapy is said to be as effective as the antidepressants and antianxiety drugs on the market with one advantage; no adverse side affects.
This therapy focuses on the thought processes (negative) of the patient and gets them on the road to changing those thoughts which changes their life.
For some time now, I have said to people asking about depression and anxiety that I felt changing negative thoughts was the way to go. Drugs mask the problem, it does not cure it.
For anyone who is depressed or suffering with anxiety, I would suggest you check out this therapy. Your healthy insurance company will love you because the sessions are not long term (as regular therapy can be).
Has anyone gone into CBT for therapy? I’d like your personal experience on this therapy.
giodano-I know it’s not new, that’s why I put it in quotes to denote that it is not exactly new, just new to some people.
Tony-No, panic/anxiety attacks are just about negative thoughts, they begin and continue for a reason. Finding out "why" they started in the first place is very important, but then you have to change the behavior that continues.
As far as people being worried about addiction, that is a very real problem that has made zombies out of people. We should not rely on pills to solve our problems.
I put new in quotes to denote that it was not really new, but that it is just now being used more and heard of more than previously. Insurance companies are jumping on it too.
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August 28th, 2009 at 4:43 am
yes i have had CBT for my OCD and that was years ago…it isnt exactly a new treatment. it is however the best approach to OCD and taking meds in conjunction with CBT has show to be the most effective of all.
CBT is not easy work…you are forced to "play out" your fears and your anxiety can actually increase at the begining of therapy.however, it is well worth the hard work.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:43 am
It tends to work well, at first, but, after a while becomes "same old, same old", for many people, which is why I recommend the multidimensional approach to treating depression, including CBT, or REBT, as follows in my standard post (it can also cost a small fortune, over extended periods): See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at http://www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as the supplements: Inositol, or SAMe, or herbal remedies, like St. John’s wort. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even weeks to begin becoming effective. It’s a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I’d just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I’d take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels. ANXIETY: See anxiety treatments, at * ezy-build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this: some people carry a wide rubber band in their pocket: put it on their wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional. Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself."
August 28th, 2009 at 4:43 am
No, I have not heard of it.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Yes, my psychologists and psychiatrists have been using CBT methods on me for the past 8 months. I don’t know if it works for me… I am a skeptic and tend to revert to my own methods of thinking.
I have been encouraged, and even forcefully, to enter a DBT program, designed for those that are chronically suicidal. I flat out refused, so they made me stop seeing my psychiatrist who had been providing excellent therapy (he really was helpful) and see some special guy.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Yes I would like to try CBT myself someday too!
August 28th, 2009 at 4:43 am
First of all I nsurance is a big problem in America and has been for some time panic attacks true ones’ isn’t just about being negitive… It’s a great deal more than that !
I work in security now and i have to take medicaion, Becareful of what you read, The people that make these meds’ don’t have the problem. I’ll give you what I have and you wouldn’t last a week with it I’m glad for my doctor she knows what she’s doing, Everyone is so worried about addiction!!!!!! what about having a life and going places and being happy. Panic attacks aren’t a mental illness as some doctors would want you to think it’s physical,, mental illness cause’s fear in people and that’s what most doctors want I have been through this in a very big way Have you?
I’m happier and doing well. My thoughts are slowed down and I have an eye for detail and I’m A creative person.
So read that’s good but in the American culture we try to make everyone the same and treat them the same not everyone has the same genetic code nor the same DNA further proven when it come to being a diabetic.. No treatment is the same. One drug may work for someone while it won’t work for another and talking about negitivity may work for some and not others. So reading and artical is one thing living it is another thank you for your question or statement….. Just remember we are all different in some way.