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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meltingpot on December 30, 2012, at 16:50:56
I've had quite a lot of therapy over the last four years and to be honest I find it of no help or use whatsoever.
I still have to take my medication, therapy hasn't taught me how to manage my depression and it certainly hasn't taught me to cope when I've come off medication. No amount of my being compassionate or understanding towards myself, trying to think positively, trying to be mindful, tackling past issues, makes me feel any better. I can think of things in my past that might have brought on my depression and anxiety but knowing this does not help.
When I'm feeling really bad all I want is for someone to be compassionate enough to help me kill myself.
Am I missing something? Am I just not getting something? I'm interested in people's experiences with therapy and how it has helped them.
Denise
Posted by Phil on December 30, 2012, at 17:38:23
In reply to Does therapy really help anyone?, posted by Meltingpot on December 30, 2012, at 16:50:56
I've had two out of six therapists over many decades that were helpful in enlightening me as to where my behaviors were hurting me. Did the skies open and all was better? Nope.
My current therapist is useless.I read recently that Bruce Springsteen was or has been in therapy for 30 years. I think that it needs to be ongoing. Also read that Elyn Saks, a USC law professor and has schizophrenia does therapy 5 days a week along with meds. She's been hospitalized many times and has been in restraints for 20 hours a day. Remarkable story. I think therapy has helped her maintain a very high functioning level. But I'm not her. :)
I was reading about DBT and I think it would help more than any other especially if your suicidal. It takes a massive commitment that I don't have right now. Wiki has good info on it.
Posted by baseball55 on December 30, 2012, at 20:06:50
In reply to Re: Does therapy really help anyone? » Meltingpot, posted by Phil on December 30, 2012, at 17:38:23
My p-doc, who was also my therapist for a number of years, is a firm believer in the idea that mental illnesses are bio-psycho-social disorders and therefore cannot be solved with either meds or therapy alone. For me, the combination of dynamic therapy with him (to deal with childhood trauma) and DBT (which he insisted upon, going so far as to meet with me and the DBT therapist twice), has been extremely important. But the bio component can't be ignored. You do need meds if you have a mood disorder. DBT is most effective for people who have intense and continual suicidal and self-harm compulsions (which I did). I'm not so sure how helpful it is for depression in itself. CBT is supposed to be very helpful for major depressive disorder, when combined with meds.
But you have to be willing to do the work in therapy. It's not a one-hour a week proposition. You have to work at it and think about it constantly to develop coping skills. For me, this took years, not months. I still have bouts of severe depression, but I have learned how to keep them from spiraling so far down that I end up in a hospital.
In a few months, I will have gone two years without attempting suicide or being hospitalized, after three years of repeated hospitalizations and three, very near-miss, suicide attempts.
DBT has been most helpful. I still meet with my p-doc twice a month for dynamic therapy, but I feel this is mostly done, that I just have a hard time saying goodbye to him. Lamictal also noticeably reduced suicidal ideation and downward spirals.
Posted by bleauberry on December 31, 2012, at 16:10:30
In reply to Does therapy really help anyone?, posted by Meltingpot on December 30, 2012, at 16:50:56
Therapy only works when the biological problem that is causing the depression is treated. If one is on meds and still depressed, it means therapy is not going to be able to work, and it also means that whatever the choice of meds are, well, they are not treating the problem. Wrong meds.
But anyway, yeah, I found therapy useless in improving depression. It wasn't until months later on a med that was working that all the therapy began to make sense and have real significance.
A depressed brain just cannot process stuff very well.
You asked if you are missing something and the only thing I can see is the right meds or herbs. Those are missing at the moment.
Therapy did help me a lot in one way even during deep depression. That was, the counselor was very good at being a cool calm coach and cheerleading team. He helped me sort of like a stepping stone just buy some time. I always felt so much better when leaving his office, but it only lasted a couple hours and then things were dark again. But at least I had some bit of new wisdom to hang on to until our next meeting.
Posted by ihatedrugs on January 3, 2013, at 16:35:00
In reply to Does therapy really help anyone?, posted by Meltingpot on December 30, 2012, at 16:50:56
I've been to 5 therapist in the span of 25 years and the only therapeutic effect I get from them is how I laugh after I leave the office. They are useless if your only problem is depression/mental condition rooted in biological triggers. The latest therapy tried was the Mindfulness approach. As in touch your knee or feel the texture of some surface and your brain will immediately shift to what you are experiencing at the time, taking your mind off the sadness. I honestly couldn't keep a straight face.
However, if you have unresolved issues and need guidance then, I believe it may be effective.May this year be one of relief to all.
Ihatedrugs
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