Cognitive Behavior Therapy

[wtfnext]

What does Cognitive Behavior Therapy do?  And does it help for depression and OCD (self harm)?  How long does it take?  I am also taking Celexa as well as this therapy with my GP, she's doing it to help keep me out of the hospital and still make it so I can get back to myself!!!  Any body know how well this will or can work?  Thanks.

[wtfnext]

Thank you lifesux_thenyoudie I think a big part of why it's getting worse is because I am so frustrated with not being able to stop myself!  My dr wants to hospitalize me and a part of me wants to say go ahead.  But then I have kids and work and my bf even says it's not a good time to go into the hospital! And it's not.  Can't afford to see a psychologist but here we are wasting the money on that too!
Right now I am feeling defeated but I want to be victorious over this crap!  Maybe if I quit taking all the meds I can get better!!!

[wtfnext]

So appointment with GP today....  If I don't agree to see both psychologist and psychiatrist then she will commit me against my will to the hospital!  So and I had to agree to give up my stash of pills, and most of my sharps!  But I get to keep my note and some of my sharps!
My bf says he's going to watch me all the time because it's not a good time for me to end up in the hospital!  We cant afford it!  No duh!  I would probably save everyone a whole lotta trouble if I didn't have to sign another freaking contract not to attempt my life for another 2 weeks!

[wtfnext]

So appointment with GP today....  If I don't agree to see both psychologist and psychiatrist then she will commit me against my will to the hospital!  So and I had to agree to give up my stash of pills, and most of my sharps!  But I get to keep my note and some of my sharps!
My bf says he's going to watch me all the time because it's not a good time for me to end up in the hospital!  We cant afford it!  No duh!  I would probably save everyone a whole lotta trouble if I didn't have to sign another freaking contract not to attempt my life for another 2 weeks!

[lifesux_thenyoudie]

It sounds to me like you are in control. You dont want to see a specialist or go to hospital you are really quite articulate about it.

It reads to me that "psychresident" is a professional or at least knows more than most of us here at this forum. He may be suggesting you need more help than what your are getting from your GP.

Could it be that because you are in control......you harm yourself for failing to cure yourself?

I really dont know and dont understand so please dont get me wrong I'm not judging you but I'm just asking ......What could be worse than relinquishing control and give yourself a break -  from yourself?

Treat yourself like a friend. Would you harm your friend? I dont think you would. Yet you harm yourself and you are my friend. Please dont harm my friend it makes me sad
Please take care of my friend wtfnext. .

Take the best care - please try to get the best care - thats what all my friends deserve.

Remember that old saying " he that represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer?"

Maybe theres a commensurate or equal saying here.

Do you know what I mean?

[wtfnext]

So OCD and PTSD for whatever!  Not seeing a psychologist!  And still my GP.  Pretty soon my work is gonna start to wonder about all of these appointments!

[wtfnext]

Thanks for your informative note.  My family dr has told me my cutting is a part of OCD.  There are other issues I have that also lean towards OCD but definitely the cutting is the worst!  I am willing to try almost anything to get better, but I will not be hospitalized and I will not see a psychiatrist for fear of being hospitalized!  I am now on a lot of meds, Celexa, plus it was upped and Ativan and now seroquel.  Not really sure if we have started CBT yet or what.  So far my dr has been asking a lot of very personal questions!
Do you think it's safe to be on so many medications?
Thanks.  And thanks for everyones responses I find it all helpful!

[psychresident]

CBT is a particular set of psychotherapeutic ("talk therapy") methods that are designed to teach you to think differently and feel differently. Specifically, the treatment is designed to examine the beliefs/assumptions/interpretations held by patients and how these contribute to the (in your case) overexperience of a particular emotional state (e.g., sadness). How long it takes depends on a number of factors, ranging from the severity of your illness to the style of your provider. Generally, most mental health professionals start out with about 16 or so weekly sessions.

CBT is highly efficacious for providing symptom relief of a number of mental illnesses, particularly depression (Butler et al., 2006). Specifically, though, the best outcomes for those with depression are seen with CBT is used in combination with an antidepressant. However, CBT, when compared with medication, leads to more substantial gains that are maintained for longer (Evans et al., 1992). I'm glad that you're thinking about pursuing CBT for your depression. I'm certain that, with a knowledgeable provider, you'll find some relief.

As an aside, you said OCD (self-harm). Has a professional diagnosed you with obsessive compulsive disorder? Did they tell you that your self-harm was a part of OCD?

[churnman]

I have not attended group classes but will if they are offered free. I have read about this technique and tried it on myself, it does help. Breakeing down general anxiety/depression into small parts helps find the things that I can change easily. Then I try to work on the bigger things. Most times, the bigger things are what my meds are working on.

Just my 2c.

[socialanxiety]

I did CBT for social anxiety 6 months ago. I did it in a group setting, there was a OCD group too. It lasted 10 weeks, 2 hrs a week. We had homework every week in which we would confront our fears, complete journalling exercises, reading parts of books. In class we would discuss our week and any problems we had. It does not cure your disease. It only helps with coping. I still need my medication to control my anxiety but the class taught me many techniques and also helped me understand the causes of my anxiety.

[DJ873]

it can be such a great help!! Also try the Ekhardt Tolle book A new earth, if you can let go and trust the process, i decided i had nothing to loose as i was scraping dirt and to trust in the process. i am just recently understanding and can see a glimmer of light. I took a long time getting to this point and am being very patient and noticing the baby steps and determined. Writing everything out helps alot for me too.

[wtfnext]

Well I am trying but I am not comfortable with anyone, I just know I can't live like this anymore.  I do not really want to start talking to another dr/therapist I am trying to just trust my GP she is really nice.  I know I must be disgusting to her with what I'm doing but she does not make me show her everytime and she seems like she knows what she's doing!  So I guess if I keep an open positive mind it can work for me?  Is that what your saying?

[425runner]

I believe CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) is counceling in order to help you find ways to cope with whatever you're dealing with.  It all depends on your relationship with your therapist (professional of course).  If you can find someone you trust and feel comfortable with it'll do wonders, but if you feel pressured or embarassed than it won't do you any good.

Try asking for a referral from your GP or Psych doc. whoever you like better and good luck!

I've done CBT several years ago while in school and it helped.