Posted by Sooshi on April 14, 2004, at 20:07:08
In reply to Re: CBT SUX!!!, posted by rod on April 14, 2004, at 16:06:49
Hi Roland,
There are definately aspects of CBT that are simplistic and certainly not realistic, such as the belief that all emotional illness is due to factors within our control. I don't believe this for one minute.
However, I DO think that I can control the way I RESPOND to how I am feeling...I have truly come to understand the concept that I cannot have any emotional reaction to an event until I have had a THOUGHT about it and have given it meaning.
The techniques I use to control my thinking, and therefore my emotions are many, and although they sound simplistic, it took lots of hard work to learn them and accept that they would work. I use paradoxical techniques, distraction, flooding, thought-switching, positive imaging and visualization.
I was able to overcome agoraphobia (2 years spent inside my home, never leaving) with severe panic attacks, using CBT, but could NOT have done it without medication either. However, meds alone just weren't cutting it...I needed to learn that my panic and anxiety always resulted from distorted THOUGHTS that had little or no basis in reality. Once I learned this, I could then apply it towards the extreme emotions of my deep depressions, and the relief I got was tremendous.
Anyway, didn't mean to run on...I hope this has given you some insight. Best Wishes,
Sooshi
poster:Sooshi
thread:335781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040412/msgs/336461.html