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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ilene on August 12, 2005, at 17:51:54
I went to a new pdoc today. She recommended a therapist for cognitive-behavioral therapy. What do you therapy experts think?
Thanks,
I.
Posted by Dinah on August 12, 2005, at 17:56:18
In reply to What about CBT?, posted by Ilene on August 12, 2005, at 17:51:54
CBT is very effective. Its effectiveness varies by the presenting problem, for example I think it's quite effective for anxiety disorders. And I think it's pretty effective for depression as well, for those who are well matched to it.
Actually, I think it teaches useful skills that everyone, with or without a disorder, could benefit from. I wish it were taught in schools.
IMHO, it can't hurt, might help a little or a lot, and is certainly worth trying.
Posted by Ilene on August 12, 2005, at 20:06:41
In reply to Re: What about CBT? » Ilene, posted by Dinah on August 12, 2005, at 17:56:18
> CBT is very effective. Its effectiveness varies by the presenting problem, for example I think it's quite effective for anxiety disorders. And I think it's pretty effective for depression as well, for those who are well matched to it.
>
I have treatment-resistant depression
> Actually, I think it teaches useful skills that everyone, with or without a disorder, could benefit from. I wish it were taught in schools.
>
> IMHO, it can't hurt, might help a little or a lot, and is certainly worth trying.
That's good to hear.I.
Posted by Declan on August 13, 2005, at 1:00:52
In reply to Re: What about CBT? » Dinah, posted by Ilene on August 12, 2005, at 20:06:41
Why do I find it dispiriting? (This is like Albert Ellis, right?)
It's maybe not indulgent enough for me?
Declan
Posted by Dinah on August 13, 2005, at 9:48:01
In reply to Re: What about CBT?, posted by Declan on August 13, 2005, at 1:00:52
Well, I did say it had to be a good match. :) To work by itself anyway. People like my husband eat it up.
But I think it has something to teach everyone. Some people just need either a compassionate CBT therapist who can therapize outside the manual a bit, or more psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy as well. But that doesn't mean they can't benefit from learning what CBT teaches.
(P.S. Was Ellis on the Behavioral side of CBT? I get them mixed up.)
Posted by Declan on August 13, 2005, at 15:30:51
In reply to Re: What about CBT? » Declan, posted by Dinah on August 13, 2005, at 9:48:01
I can remember he called it rational emotive therapy.
Declan
Posted by alexandra_k on August 13, 2005, at 17:13:05
In reply to Re: What about CBT? » Dinah, posted by Declan on August 13, 2005, at 15:30:51
Invalidating. Some people find it to be invalidating.
Thoughts -> feelings
So the trouble is the feeling. That is the presenting problem. Might want to operationalise that a little... Trouble sleeping (too much too little)? Trouble with getting things done? Trouble with feeling sad (crying and stuff)?
That must be because of the faulty cognitions. The irrational thinking, the irrational assumptions and judgements and faulty core beliefs (don't worry if you can't think of any they are thought to be lurking there under the surface and a good CBT therapist is a master at digging those out of you).
Then you challenge those faulty thoughts (which are thought to be causing those problematic feelings / behaviours and there we go.
And progress can be measured via the little pop quizes...
Okay, so I'm a little cynical.
I don't like the above aspects of CBT.
But...I think Dinah has a point: there is something in there for everyone and a lot of people are helped by it.
I learned a lot about the relationship between activity levels and mood (and who cares which came first so long as it works to break the cycle).
And some of the techniques such as relaxation etc were really helpful too.
Worth a shot.
Good luck.
Posted by Ilene on August 13, 2005, at 17:25:34
In reply to Re: What about CBT?, posted by alexandra_k on August 13, 2005, at 17:13:05
I told my new pdoc I thought my depression was largely biological. There's quite a bit of mental illness on my mother's side of the family. She said she didn't disagree, but said it was a good idea to attack it using as many tools as possible.
I think of CBT (or any therapy) as a way to manage the symptoms of my depression rather than as a cure. The best relief I ever got was from drugs, but they pooped out and now I'm very treatment resistant.
I.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 13, 2005, at 20:35:57
In reply to Re: What about CBT? » alexandra_k, posted by Ilene on August 13, 2005, at 17:25:34
That's not a bad way to look at things, Ilene. Although studies have shown that CBT can lead to changes in the brain, I think the immediate and relevant benefits involve learning to manage and combat symptoms.
And most studies confirm that the best treatment for depression involves both medication and therapy.
Good luck!
gg
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 13, 2005, at 21:51:21
In reply to What about CBT?, posted by Ilene on August 12, 2005, at 17:51:54
Ilene,
I have had quite successful results with CBT over the past two years. Started therapy diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder as well as Anxiety. Two years later, I am free from both, mainly due to the practice of CBT and working really hard. I have not used any drugs.
That said, my therapist is also pretty psychodynamic. Had I just had straight CBT, I don't think it would have worked. But the combo of the two has been ideal.
Posted by rabidreader on August 18, 2005, at 14:38:56
In reply to Re: What about CBT?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on August 13, 2005, at 21:51:21
I am so tired of CBT I could spit. Also, Albert Ellis can go into the tilet for a while, too. I'm tired of evaluating my thoughts using the Beck Institute "Evidence For/Evidence Against" form. I got really burnt out on both CBT and REBT. Maybe because the T I had feelings for used these, and I'm in the anger stage of grieving and just want to debunk everything he said. Probably the best, most common sense approach is CBT/REBT and one-on-one talking. I can't stand CBT by itself anymore.
That said...Ellis's boks did help me for a few months to cntrol some of my thinking. That's worth something. I'm hard to treat also.
Good luck, and do lots of reading!
Posted by Declan on August 20, 2005, at 1:49:20
In reply to Re: What about CBT?, posted by rabidreader on August 18, 2005, at 14:38:56
Hey, what's REBT? Behaviour therapy, I guess. No doubt this has been gone over, but I had real problems with the idea that our ideas/thoughts determine our feelings.
I dunno why this is so important to me. It's not just a question of fact. Maybe it's a question of values for me, I couldn't say which values.
Even when doing psychodynamic therapy it was important to me that the reason for doing it was not utilitarian, ie based on a calculation of gain for effort.
I don't really understand my thinking about this. Certainly not logical in the obvious sense. But something deep (whatever it might be) within me, I think.It just occurred to me. Too much acid and Moody Blues?
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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