Depression - cognitive behavioural therapy

I am a complete advocate of CBT - suffered from depression and a severely ingrained eating disorder that were tremendously improved by using CBT. I would definitely, definitely give it a try! It works on two levels; by confronting your negative core beliefs and your negative behaviours, and so it is doubly effective

A word of advice though: CBT only works if you're willing to put in the work and do the exercises given to you. If you stick at it then it should help. Best of luck with it, I'm really glad you're trying it. Its very brave of you to even admit that you had a problem, so now it's up to you to keep being courageous and face your issues - hopefully CBT should really help you in doing so. Let us know how you get on, and if you need any help then feel free to PM at any time x

I went to one session and never went back. However, I was a cynic about the method from the beginning (having already been to other different types of therapy) and that's not the way to go about CBT. I think that it probably works very well if its the first therapy that you've had or if you like what you do in the first session.

Seriously, do go for it. Its a recognised method that works for a lot of people.

Well I was inpatient so I got it basically every day for two months! But it does vary from person to person - you can see a marked improvement within a few weeks, and treatment is usually quite brief (I'm talking a few months/weeks here, probably seeing a therapist every fortnight or so depending on your needs). The exercises can be either written or practical and are usually quite tailored to your own needs. For example, in treatment for my ED I would set myself some goals for the week with the help of my psychologist (such as eat a meal that I would find challenging, go into a clothes shop and try on a few items) and I would have written exercises to do re: how I felt/thought prior to, during and after achieving my goal and I'd have some discussion with my psych. about it. It's very individualistic, an aspect which I found to be really helpful.Here's a site I found that might be able to explain it a bit better than I can. Best o luck

Yeah, CBT isn't for everyone. It's a very active form of therapy and if you're having trouble motivating yourself to do even basic things/aren't that sure about treatment then it can be hard to put as much into it as you need to. I had several types of therapy before finding CBT. It's good that even though it wasn't for you, you can still recognise it as helpful, Mata A lot of people would completely dismiss it if they didn't find it helpful for them personally.

No problem - eager to spread the word as I think it's so helpful! Hope it all turns out well for you.

Thanks for replying, Mata.
Well, it would be the very first therapy I've ever gone for. I guess I'm reluctant because I'm VERY shy and private, and find it hard to open up to people, which I suppose is ironically one thing which CBT would try and help me overcome!
Can I ask though, what about CBT did you not like?

I had several types of therapy before finding CBT. It's good that even though it wasn't for you, you can still recognise it as helpful, Mata A lot of people would completely dismiss it if they didn't find it helpful for them personally.

Well, its important to note that I didn't like the therapist as soon as I met him. I believe that for therapy to do a major good, you have to have a connection of some sort with your therapist, and it just wasn't happening.

The therapy itself: I didn't like the fact that there seemed to be a 'formula' that the therapist assumed would work on me because it had worked on other people. The therapy wanted me to think in a certain way, which is not the way that I usually think and I rebelled against that. The word 'unhelpful behaviour' was used a number of time which I absolutely hated. But these problems were all unique to me, and aren't true of many people.

In the end I found a therapist who was sarcastic, quick-witted and challenging and got things done, which was what I needed. Its probably not what most people need, but I did. If you want to try CBT then do give it a go - you're welcome to try as many things as you like to find what suits you best, you don't have to settle for something you're uncomfortable with.

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Well, I'm a bit of a weirdo and I do know people that CBT has worked for. It wouldn't be so popular if it didn't have some merit. And it was hardly as bad as the NHS lady who made me build plastecine models of the street I once lived in

Yeah, other talking therapies and drug therapy (which did make an improvement). I don't think it should make your motivation issue any worse, but yes it does require some energy. However as I've mentioned, it's very individualistic and if you're seeing a therapist, let them know that this is a problem for you and they'll be able to work something out for you. With CBT, you can do as much or as little as you feel you need to really, and a little, if done correctly, goes a long way.

Do have a think about it tis not a slog, it just requires you to take a good look at yourself, i.e. your thoughts and behaviours that aren't helping your depression, and taking positive steps to change them. (Sounds very cheesy and Dr. Phil-esque but it's not really! ) hope you get over your depression for good, and soon!

I was wondering more specifically if anyone has undergone cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and how effective/ineffective it has been for them?

I had (CBT) 2years ago now, and it worked very well for me and its nothing to worry about, its not as technical and scary as the name suggests

well, that's reassuring in itself! In what way did it work well for you? Was it the only form of 'treatment' you received, or did you try others before/after/with CBT?

Thanks

It was the only form of treatment i received as i refused to go on any medication and things like that.
It worked well for me because it helped me break my thoughts down and think about them in a more reallistic positive manner,
Rather than rushing my thoughts and jumping to conclusions.

that's really good - so how long did you have it for? Has it worked in the long term independently, i.e. when sessions have stopped?

(I'm sorry for all of the questions)

It is helping a bit, not doing any harm at all.
But I suppose the main thing I do at the sessions is self analysis, which I do anyway. It's good to have an adult to talk to though.

Its fine, im happy to answer questions all night.
For me it lasted 4 months, but the sessions were usually once every 2 weeks, but it can increase or decrease based on how well your doing.

And it has worked for me in the long term, becase its something that sticks in your head so you can always recall it and go through it all again when you need to.

Thanks that sounds okay.... I think a helluva lot anyway, so if things worked out during the sessions remain with you, do you think it would work?

friendlyneutron mentioned earlier doing certain exercises as part of CBT - its coompletely okay if you'd rather not say, but i was wondering what type of things were you 'given'?

Yes it would work, obviously some people will get the hang of it easier than others, but you will get into it quick enough.

The main exercise i remember was, when i got really anxious, i would get this sheet i was given, and give a score out of 10 for how bad i felt, along with writing down what thoughts i had that triggered it.
Then i would have to right down a more positive way of thinking about whatever i was worried about, then once i done that i would right down a new score of how i felt.
Then i would take the sheet do my next session and go through it with the person treating me.
Of course 9 times out of 10 after doing this exercise i felt alot better.