Posted by mattdds on November 9, 2003, at 18:41:55
In reply to CBT'ing myself!, posted by NikkiT2 on November 9, 2003, at 12:16:27
Nikki,
This is great! I have wanted to see someone else who goes through the same process for so long on this board. You're doing some terrific work here!
I do this nearly every time I get upset. Sometimes my dialogues get pretty lengthy. I should post one sometime.
By the way, I don't think anybody is "good enough" to do it inside their head. It seems like it has to be articuled in very clear language until the pattern is totally engrained in your being. At least that was my experience with CBT. I think this is why many people don't get better when they "try" CBT - they don't actually do the homework. It just doesn't work any other way.
I'm sure you'll do fantastic on your speech. A few suggestions that have helped me.
1. Remember not to shoot for a perfect speech - this will only create more anxiety.
2. Nervousness is normal and sometimes helpful for public speaking.
3. Avoid catastrophizing. It will not be all over the newspapers tomorrow even if your worst nightmares about the speech come true. Actually, people will likely have forgotten about your nervousness (if they notice it in the first place) within 10 minutes of leaving!I'm glad to know someone else is helped by these techniques.
Best of luck!
Matt
poster:mattdds
thread:277907
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031030/msgs/277997.html