Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 591792

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

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. 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. Not just your psychopharm doc of course. If so what sort of style does this therapist use? 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. Thanks for any help.

gibber

 

it could help...

Posted by med_empowered on December 24, 2005, at 2:09:18

In reply to Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?, posted by gibber on December 24, 2005, at 1:31:46

hi! psychotherapy can actually help ***lots*** of people...some people do psychotherapy with those experiencing psychosis, severe depression, psychotic depression, etc. Its a really versatile form of treatment.

But..it doesn't work for everyone. If possible, what you might want to do is see if you can track down a Psychiatrist who will also do talk therapy. There aren't that many of them, but the idea is kind of making a comeback...if you look around, you just might luck out.

Lacking that...cognitive behavioral therapy could help. Its pretty direct, to the point. Other forms of therapy may help as well..sometimes, just having someone to talk to is nice.

 

I've done both

Posted by Glydin on December 24, 2005, at 7:53:21

In reply to Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?, posted by gibber on December 24, 2005, at 1:31:46


as combo and single therapies to include intensive CBT.

Different paths and combos of paths work for different folks.

 

Re: I've done both

Posted by gardenergirl on December 24, 2005, at 8:22:25

In reply to I've done both, posted by Glydin on December 24, 2005, at 7:53:21

I am on meds which it appears I can't do without. I've also done two years of psychodynamic psychotherapy (still going). I would say that both have been a godsend. The meds can only do so much. The therapy can only do so much. Together, they cover all the bases, in my case.

It's important to work with a therapist who's a good fit with your needs and your style. Sometimes that means trying one or two before you find the right one. Sort of like meds.

gg

 

Re: I've done both

Posted by Jimmyboy on December 24, 2005, at 10:03:05

In reply to Re: I've done both, posted by gardenergirl on December 24, 2005, at 8:22:25

I agree, together they are better than either one alone ... like a previous poster said , if nothing else you have someone to talk to about your problems and that feels good to get that out...

 

Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?

Posted by linkadge on December 24, 2005, at 12:40:28

In reply to Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?, posted by gibber on December 24, 2005, at 1:31:46

Of course this is a biological issue, but experience can affect biology almost as much as biology can affect experience. (Ie petting a dog will increase your serotonin !)

Therapy has oftentimes been shown to be usefull in people partially responsive or even resistant to medications.

If anything can help you, for instance, make your life less stressfull, then this will of course have a positive impact on the depressive illness.


Linkadge

 

Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy? » gibber

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

 

Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy? » yxibow

Posted by yxibow on December 24, 2005, at 15:08:23

In reply to Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy? » gibber, posted by yxibow on December 24, 2005, at 13:16:01

I should have added... and I dont consider myself a "pill popper"... that is a little bit pejorative. I take medication.. multiple medication(s) for a somatiform disorder that is very complex -- as any person would take medication that is proven and available for any serious (non-psychiatric) disorder.

But I forgot to answer the initial question -- yes, I have been in therapy for 4 years.

 

Re: it could help... » med_empowered

Posted by Phillipa on December 24, 2005, at 15:50:17

In reply to it could help..., posted by med_empowered on December 24, 2005, at 2:09:18

Med, that's the truth. The new pdoc didn't even want to know family hx of psychiatic illnesses. It was in and out here take cymabalta. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?

Posted by gibber on December 24, 2005, at 23:08:50

In reply to Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy? » gibber, posted by yxibow on December 24, 2005, at 13:16:01

Thanks everybody for your responses. It seems that the concensus is that most of you are in talk therapy too and are gaining some relief from it. I recall someone mentioning that dysthymia is a less severe form of depression, however in hindsight I think I would have rather been extremely depressed for a few months than moderately depressed for a few years. My life has been on hold for many years. I should add that I would consider myself treatment resistant and have run the gamut of SSRIs and a few others and am now on Nardil. I apologize for using the term "pill popper", I realize it has negative connotations but that was not my intention. I think I'll probably see about some therapy. I have not officially done CTB, but I feel like what I did do was useful for anxiety, especially thought stopping and the like. Does it really work for depression?

 

Redirect: psychotherapy

Posted by Dr. Bob on December 27, 2005, at 17:41:18

In reply to Re: Attn. pill poppers: Who's in psychotherapy?, posted by gibber on December 24, 2005, at 23:08:50

> Does it really work for depression?

Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect this thread to Psycho-Babble Psychology. Here's a link:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20051216/msgs/592554.html

Thanks,

Bob


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