Posted by yxibow on December 24, 2005, at 13:16:01
In reply to Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?, posted by gibber on December 24, 2005, at 1:31:46
> I've been struggling with dysthymia for 5-6 years now and I quit a year long stint of essentially classic psychotherapy about a year ago.
[sidebar] -- dysthymia is less severe, but more persistent depression, thats a good thing, its a milder form. (I had that dx. at one point)
I have been doing the med thing all this time but have not found anything that works and I'm wondering if I should go back to some talk therapy despite firmly believing that this is a biological condition. I'm wondering whether those of you who are in the camp that think this is a physiological condition (most of you, I would think) still talk with a professional about it.
It is both psychological and a biological condition. It is my beleive that all forms of mental illnesses can be traced to a biological form with the right technology, such as PET/SPECT imaging -- or imaging that hasn't even been invented yet. The right form of psychological therapy, whether it be "inside therapy", modern psychotherapy with touches of old jungian or freudian concepts, or such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which has demonstrable PET changes for disorders such as OCD -- will complement or help to change brain chemistry as it is. The only question there, is one ready for the type of therapy, and is the match of therapist and patient ideal.
>My friend thinks I should talk to somebody about the fact that my life is going nowhere despite the fact that this is a disease that has not responded to therapy in the past to great extent.Dysthymia should respond to psychotherapy, whether with or without medication, although I would suggest the latter, e.g. w/ something like Cymbalta or an SSRI.
Best wishes
poster:yxibow
thread:591792
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051221/msgs/591898.html