Posted by Lisa01 on January 25, 2002, at 7:42:10
In reply to Re: David Burns, posted by Blue Cheer 1 on January 25, 2002, at 5:39:48
> I've tried manualized CT/CBT before, but it's of no value if you're in a state of depression that makes it impossible to carry out the "homework assignments" that are part of the therapy. For those who are experiencing mild to moderate depression, I think it's an excellent adjunct to medications.
>
> BlueI see that most of you are referring to CBT in the context of depression. I am inclined to agree that depression is likely more brain-based than mind-based (for lack of more scientific terminology). My personal demon is SP, and I do think there is--for me anywhere--a direct correlation between my thoughts ("I'm going to blow it" , "Everyone can see how nervous I am") and how anxious I become. I also know I am pre-disposed to social anxiety in that I had several early traumatic experiences with performance situations and have, I believe, come to dread them based on that. I think that I need meds at least temporarily until I can learn to 'correct' the way I look at performance situations, because my fears are overblown in terms of--and this is something Burns talks about--extremity and likelihood (I'm not using his terminology here)i.e. the outcome is not usually as bad as I anticipate and sometimes the situation I dread most does not even occur (e.g. someone asking a question I cannot answer at a presentation). I don't think CBT can be written off, or seen as a cure-all either. A combination of both meds and some kind of therapy can be more helpful for some than meds alone.
Anyone out there had luck with CBT for SP?
Lisa
poster:Lisa01
thread:75408
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91528.html