An alternative to CBT and medication

Hello

My background; on and off anti depressants for around 12 years now. I have had lots of therapists in the past both NHS and private. However all they seem to want to offer me is CBT. I have been talked into trying CBT one more time on numerous occasions with the same outcome. I have recently tried an alternative therapy called EFT (emotional freedom technique / tapping) however this left me the most anxious and harmful to myself I have been for a long time.

I have tried to find other therapies to try or other therapists to see but I keep going around in circles. I’ve emailed organisations and contacted my GP but I get the standard response of the last 15 years of medication and CBT. Ideally I would want something intensive, instead of 6 hours split over 6 weeks.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, the last time I was on TSR was years ago but I’ve been going round in circles looking for help. So I guess I’m back where started many years ago..
However when I made a similar post once many years ago a fellow TSR gave me great advice. I was struggling with appearance issues and this person suggested volunteer work at a place appearance doesn’t matter. Like with the blind etc. Better and more understanding then any therapist I have had.

Reply 1

hello_shawn

You've been a tsr member since 2009, that might surprise some of the younger regulars on here :smile:

Me, I'm trying to slowly come off it, I'm glad I found a video game to play on an emulator. Maybe it'll set me back years as a person but apparently it's more acceptable to be seen as a nerd these days.

Reply 2

N!*

Wow nearly 9 years 👵
Time has moved on. I used to use a computer back then. Not one of these modern ones with a thin monitor, the back of the monitor was probably at least 15cm.

Reply 3

Pathway

What are you struggling with? Different issues can be helped by different types of therapies.

Reply 4

username4521132

I suggest reading lost connections - or find a summary or podcast he is on

Reply 5

username3118454

CBD and meditation :u:

or psychotherapy?

Reply 6

Scotney

In the nicest possible way what is your problem?What have you been diagnosed with?

Original post by N!*

Reply 7

N!*

Thanks. I have read it and it’s such a good read. However when I tried talking to my parents about it they thought I’d been brainwashed and due to my age I should have gotten over all my depressive feelings by now

Original post by steamed-hams

I suggest reading lost connections - or find a summary or podcast he is on

Reply 8

N!*

Not really sure about official diagnoses, but being on anti depressants j would assume I have a formal diagnoses of clinical depression.
Not any more but ten years ago I’m sure I would have covered the criteria for anxiety, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder.

Original post by Scotney

In the nicest possible way what is your problem?What have you been diagnosed with?

Reply 9

N!*

On going depression I guess. Suicidal and self harming thoughts. But I read recently some people live with suicidal thoughts without actually being suicidal.
The pretty standard symptoms and signs of someone that is depressed

Original post by Pathway

What are you struggling with? Different issues can be helped by different types of therapies.

Reply 10

Pathway

Original post by N!*

Have you ever been seen by a psychiatrist? And yeah there's a difference between passive suicidality and active suicidality. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling.

Reply 11

N!*

When I was younger perhaps. I talked to someone who explained the differences and I’m looking for someone now. I’m just surprised no gp or mental healthcare professional has given me any other options in past. I understand why psychotherapy cannot be offered on the NHS but I’ve basically been told many times it’s cbt or nothing.

Original post by Pathway

Have you ever been seen by a psychiatrist? And yeah there's a difference between passive suicidality and active suicidality. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling.

Reply 12

Pathway

Original post by N!*

Specialist care at step four can offer more intensive treatment. Ask for a referral to secondary care. Different areas offer different things, there are things other than CBT on the NHS.