Aa
For those of you who have been or currently are in therapy...
I'm going to be starting some CBT shortly for anxiety and depression issues related to giref.
Just out of curiosity, how long were you in therapy yourself or, for those of you who still are, how long has it been?
Just out of curiosity, how long were you in therapy yourself or, for those of you who still are, how long has it been?
The answer is, in my OPINION, it will take:
1. As long as it takes, and,
2. Forever.
But that's not bad news. Follow along, and lemme 'splain it. First of all, it was the therapy that eventaully got me OVER this panic anxiety depression thing. Had it since childhood -it continued off and on for 40 plus years and I've been free of it for 8 plus years now. I expect never to have it again.
It takes "as long as it takes" because everyone is different; the easy answer, I know, but go figure: How long you've been wrestling with the issues, how deep they go and present day circumstances which either tend to support the therapy or retard it all figure in. The specific therapy also matters. Some is oriented toward dealing with the symptoms, and some goes into your past to root out the bad guys, and some is a mix. You and your therapist will figure out which mix is right for you -like making the perfect "limonada." I should also tell you that this is WORK and sometimes hard work, sometimes even painful, which you may resist. When that happens, it often means you are getttting somewhere. Thus, yiour attitude counts for much. In the end, it is what YOU do that works the "magic." The therapist will not suddenly reveal an "answer," but rather guide and assist you as a good tracker or guide would do. There probably IS a body of data somewhere that has some average figures regarding how long it takes -ask your therapist, but don't assume that once you reach the 8th session, all of a sudden, poof! It's gone.
Now, the "forever" part. If we can say that the therapy sort of returns us to a state of good mental health, then we could also say that, like physical health, it is an ongoing process, throughout our lives. Just as we might be careful with our diet or how much stress we put on the arm with that old fencing injury, we will be mindful, as well, of the conditions in which we place ourselves, mentally. It is said that one result of effective therapy is that we learn to become our own therapist. Thats' the big payoff -when the stress hits, you know what to do -and you actually do it better than any "outside" therapist ever could.
There is very likely a big "bonus" in all of this: do not be surpised if, in the course of shedding the depression and anxiety, you discover or re-awaken some special interests, passions and abilities that you've never been able to pursue because you were too busy moving the deck chairs around the Titanic all these years. If not that, then you may simply find that life -just as it has been all along, is somehow so much richer and more rewarding -you're squeezing the really good stuff out of all those key limes. Thus, while your therapy may initially engage the conditions for which you have been diagnosed, it may also do some "well, as long as we are here" kind of mental housekeeping.
There are plenty of folks who will report that they have been in and out of therapy over the years, which may give the impression that it doesn't really, or doesn't always, work. Yes and no. I hold out to you that the work of therapy is really the work of your own brain, and that the success of it is directly related to how much you commit to it and how much you expect from it. It is certainly possible to have "just enough" therapy to get you through until "next time." If that is TRUE (and how can it not be true?) then by logical extension, it is possible to deploy directed therapy (under the guidance of a therapist) to bring it to the point that it is self-working. Sort of like that final pull of the starter cord that gets the mower going all on its own.
I hope you'll keep us up-to-date on progress. Trust me in this: as important as the effort is to YOU, many, many others will benefit from your experience -so please share it with us.
Thanks for a great post.
1. As long as it takes, and,
2. Forever.
But that's not bad news. Follow along, and lemme 'splain it. First of all, it was the therapy that eventaully got me OVER this panic anxiety depression thing. Had it since childhood -it continued off and on for 40 plus years and I've been free of it for 8 plus years now. I expect never to have it again.
It takes "as long as it takes" because everyone is different; the easy answer, I know, but go figure: How long you've been wrestling with the issues, how deep they go and present day circumstances which either tend to support the therapy or retard it all figure in. The specific therapy also matters. Some is oriented toward dealing with the symptoms, and some goes into your past to root out the bad guys, and some is a mix. You and your therapist will figure out which mix is right for you -like making the perfect "limonada." I should also tell you that this is WORK and sometimes hard work, sometimes even painful, which you may resist. When that happens, it often means you are getttting somewhere. Thus, yiour attitude counts for much. In the end, it is what YOU do that works the "magic." The therapist will not suddenly reveal an "answer," but rather guide and assist you as a good tracker or guide would do. There probably IS a body of data somewhere that has some average figures regarding how long it takes -ask your therapist, but don't assume that once you reach the 8th session, all of a sudden, poof! It's gone.
Now, the "forever" part. If we can say that the therapy sort of returns us to a state of good mental health, then we could also say that, like physical health, it is an ongoing process, throughout our lives. Just as we might be careful with our diet or how much stress we put on the arm with that old fencing injury, we will be mindful, as well, of the conditions in which we place ourselves, mentally. It is said that one result of effective therapy is that we learn to become our own therapist. Thats' the big payoff -when the stress hits, you know what to do -and you actually do it better than any "outside" therapist ever could.
There is very likely a big "bonus" in all of this: do not be surpised if, in the course of shedding the depression and anxiety, you discover or re-awaken some special interests, passions and abilities that you've never been able to pursue because you were too busy moving the deck chairs around the Titanic all these years. If not that, then you may simply find that life -just as it has been all along, is somehow so much richer and more rewarding -you're squeezing the really good stuff out of all those key limes. Thus, while your therapy may initially engage the conditions for which you have been diagnosed, it may also do some "well, as long as we are here" kind of mental housekeeping.
There are plenty of folks who will report that they have been in and out of therapy over the years, which may give the impression that it doesn't really, or doesn't always, work. Yes and no. I hold out to you that the work of therapy is really the work of your own brain, and that the success of it is directly related to how much you commit to it and how much you expect from it. It is certainly possible to have "just enough" therapy to get you through until "next time." If that is TRUE (and how can it not be true?) then by logical extension, it is possible to deploy directed therapy (under the guidance of a therapist) to bring it to the point that it is self-working. Sort of like that final pull of the starter cord that gets the mower going all on its own.
I hope you'll keep us up-to-date on progress. Trust me in this: as important as the effort is to YOU, many, many others will benefit from your experience -so please share it with us.
Thanks for a great post.
Been to both therapy and in hospital when things got too bad to manage. Had to attend a lot of aniexty management programmes in hospital. Now I am back home and living it up. Best move I ever made.
hiya im having CBT at the minute im on my 8th session and can honestly say its fantastic, my therapist thinks i need another 8 - 10 sessions but everyone is different just hang in there and enjoy the thought that no matter how long it takes it will make you feel better
As the other two posts tell you is is not about how long you are in therapy but how much you use what you learn. I have completed a nine week intensive Anxiety Support Group program and found every session valuable and worthwhile. I am currently reading a book called "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle and thanks to the therapy I am better able to move forward, understand and control my anxiety. Remember is not about going there and having someone solve your problems, its about going and learning how to take control for yourself. Good luck and work at it. God Bless you in your journey.
The first time I went to therapist I was there for a little over a year. This last time about 3 months... I told him I just wanted to come in for a "tune up " LOL I probably could have gone a bit longer but ......
The best thing you can do for yourself is to go with an open mind like Fuzzy said... don't put a time frame on it .. you will know when you no longer need to go. :-)
Jerz
The best thing you can do for yourself is to go with an open mind like Fuzzy said... don't put a time frame on it .. you will know when you no longer need to go. :-)
Jerz
That's a question that only you, yourself, and your therapist can answer. I know some that have been in therapy for many year's, and some for just a short time. I know myself, that I am in no big hurry, I am learning something new everytime I go.
So, go into this with an open mind, and dont be in a rush.
Good Luck
So, go into this with an open mind, and dont be in a rush.
Good Luck
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