Who has tried CBT and had any success with it?

I've been trying CBT for a while it was working until this phobia crept in I keep trying CBT but unfortunately it's not working for me at the moment.

not exactly CBT but i'm having CT at the moment.
Not sure if it'll help tho

I just got invited over here by john and now I see why. This is the first forum I have seen where people are not having success with cbt. I had a great group therapist and we used a real short simple book and EVERYONE in my group did great. We were told cbt is over 90% effective for those who do the exercises like the TEA form everyday. That first reply about feedback kind of baffles me because my understanding is that cbt is all about giving you the tools to help yourself and it's up to you to do the exercises if you want to get better. It's not about dealing with past issues but how to progress going forward in your life. The back of the book we used had in big letters on the back cover "You can change your future, but not your past" and for me that is what cbt is and my life is so much better now.

As I've said before (I think?! Maybe not here?) I like CBT because it's not just medicating over a problem - it's trying to tackle it. I use CBT as a frontline treatment before medication; unless someone is really stressing or disturbed; then I use meds and CBT. But I also use other psychological therapies and modify each application to the scenario and the individual.

LittleFifi has a good example how sometimes if responses aren't happening, another psychological therapy (sounds like psychotherapy?) can give a better response. The psychological therapies are much like the medications; each to their own and everyone is different.

Personally, I believe CBT can work for anyone; but it needs ingredients from the person such as motivation and ability to concentrate to make it happen. Of course these aren't the only reasons it doesn't work (as I don't want to imply Fifi is amotivated or a bit dopey!) and sometimes it may be the approach of the therapist - if the therpaist can't adapt the application to the person then it's not likely to work either.

So, anyhow, I've used it with varying results - and for varying reasons; but essentially I believe the theory is sound and can be usefulto anyone, given the right other ingredients.

Mr Ian Wrote:As I've said before (I think?! Maybe not here?) I like CBT because it's not just medicating over a problem - it's trying to tackle it. I use CBT as a frontline treatment before medication; unless someone is really stressing or disturbed; then I use meds and CBT. But I also use other psychological therapies and modify each application to the scenario and the individual.

LittleFifi has a good example how sometimes if responses aren't happening, another psychological therapy (sounds like psychotherapy?) can give a better response. The psychological therapies are much like the medications; each to their own and everyone is different.

Personally, I believe CBT can work for anyone; but it needs ingredients from the person such as motivation and ability to concentrate to make it happen. Of course these aren't the only reasons it doesn't work (as I don't want to imply Fifi is amotivated or a bit dopey!) and sometimes it may be the approach of the therapist - if the therpaist can't adapt the application to the person then it's not likely to work either.

So, anyhow, I've used it with varying results - and for varying reasons; but essentially I believe the theory is sound and can be usefulto anyone, given the right other ingredients.

This is a really nice post. I agree with basically everything you had to say based on my experience and what I have seen. I do want to add that I think some people need meds to pick them up and help them get started on CBT. I was on meds when I started my CBT and I think without their leveling influence I would have had an even harder time getting going and staying focussed on the exercises. But meds along are a dead end trap imo.

Yea, don't dope urself on meds. totally agree. You will make urself a mess.

At some point if you want real relief you have to deal with the underlying causes and meds just mask the problem in the long run imo.

My Social Worker have said to be that when I am able to go outdoors, she will want me to attend sessions where they do CBT. I explained to her that in the future I want to come off the anti-d's because I only wanted them to help me. I think if I hadn't taken the, my mental state would be extrememly worrying as I was at a very low place back last year. My Depression is lifting, but I'm still tackling with the Agoraphobia, Anxiety & Panic Disorder.

I want to get better, I don't want these horrible things winnng the battle, which is why I think CBT is the next step for me.

beachgirl Wrote:At some point if you want real relief you have to deal with the underlying causes and meds just mask the problem in the long run imo.

I can agree with that beachgirl, as Ian says its different for other people, some rely on the medication as they see it as the answer to all there prayers.
But in some cases become so dependant on meds through fear, the dopey sleepy ways some medication effects those individual's become the way of life and a way out of introductions to the tasks at hand.
Then your trapped in your own home creating more agoraphobia and social phobia/anxiety thus worsening the problems rather than facing up to them and then going into more depression and feeling at a dead end road.
Don't get me wrong tho meds are good IF prescribed correctly.

Stu

What is CBT?

^Cognitive behavioral therapy.
Basically, changing irrational "bad" thoughts and beliefs by facing your fears.

you can read more into CBT in this thread <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.ofear.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=1808">viewtopic.php?f=55&t=1808</a><!-- l -->
8)

Thx for backing me up Stu. I think we are pretty much on the same page

How's it going Stu? You been posting much here? I have not been on the site much, life has been hectic. I was going to play the ofear bingo but had too many things to do and I prefer being outside to being on a computer except when I am bored or waiting for someone like right now.... Anyhow, I hope you are doing well angel11