Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

[Alexx]

I've been referred for CBT, due to quite severe depression and social anxiety. I was just wondering what your thoughts are on it/if it's helped you/what's it generally like/etc?

I have a general understanding of what it's about and the concept but I'm just doubtful that it will work. I think I'm also quite terrified that I won't connect very well with the therapist.. I can't see it being much of a success if we don't get on. ):

Any of your stories or views or anything would be wonderful to hear, thank you. Whether they're negative or positive.

(I wasn't sure whether to put this in the Mental Health thread or the Depression thread, but thought I'd put it here as people have CBT for a lot of different reasons. Sorry if it needs to be moved.)

Thanks.

[Audacious]

I do CBT with my therapist. I love it, best thing that's ever happened to me. It SERIOUSLY challenges the way that you think...so if you don't try and actually put in effort, it won't work. It's HARD. You have to take all the things that you think that are true, but actually aren't, and change it...YOu need to put in all you have to get out a lot. YOu get out what you put in.

It's very interesting though. I'm sure you'll get along with your therapist if you try. Give them a few months. CBT changed my life. For the better.

[Fairy Poppins]

Hi Alex.

It's normal to approach anything new with an element of doubt.

However, once you get into the programme, it's important that you do have a little faith; both in CBT and your therapist.

You have to be able to trust them, or at the very least agree to let them help you. This means doing what they ask you to do. The way CBT is structured means that they will set you tasks to do at each session and you will report back to them at the next session. Don't get me wrong, it won't all be done in your own time, but at the end of the day, the reason you're having CBT is because of anxieties in your normal day-to-day life, not in your therapist's office. Therefore, you need to practice the new strategies in your own time, even if they are originally devised in the office.

As Jennifer said; CBT is difficult. You have to take all your preconceived ideas and challenge them. This means going against what you believe to be true/necessary. For example, not washing your hands because to a "normal" person there is no need, but in your mind you feel there is. CBT can cause as much anxiety as it aims to free you of, but if you persevere it's worth it in the end.

I had a bit of a strange experience with CBT. I had a psychologist who I saw every week. At the beginning of the programme, she asked me to write a list of goals. The ones at the top of the list were supposed to be comparitively easier, but would get gradually harder and harder until I faced my ultimate goal. She said she would set me tasks, based on these goals. However, within the first couple of sessions, she seemed to realise that I was so intent on beating OCD after all these years, that I was already setting my own goals. So she sat back and let me get on with it. Each week I'd see her and update her on what I was doing and each week she'd congratulate me and then watch as I continued.

In a way, she had a pretty easy job. I'm not saying I could have done it without her, because her support and monitoring was both helpful and reassuring. However, I think the fact that I was setting my own goals and willingly doing them showed I was completely ready to overcome my problem. I think that's the key with CBT - being ready and willing to change. The therapist will do all they can to support you, but if you don't work with them, you won't make progress.

I hope this helped in some way.

Take care,

J. x

[Dark Horse]

I was just about to write a thread about this. I have the same doubts as you do. Anyway... thanks to Jennifer and Jasmine for answering :P. And good luck to Alex, I'm sure it'll go fine