Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

[spilling-ink]

Looking into an online therapy course that's based on CBT - they say the course requires worksheets and a little bit of time throughout the week to go through exercises. If you've tried CBT, do you think it's worth it? What are the pros and cons? Is it worth it for anxiety and depression?

[Hidden]

I have not tried it but I have studied it to a small extent in class. It is used sometimes to treat depression and anxiety. It is a matter of changing behaviors or habitual ways of thinking so that you will start to feel better. I do think you should probably speak to a professional before you begin any kind of treatment especially self treatment. I think in addition to other treatments it can be helpful in some cases. It is usually used for short term treatment.

[gerg]

CBT is very effective when applied. I have worked with an early form of CBT called Rational Emotive Therapy. It is a process that has changed my life. Our society today is filled with delusions and drama, some of us are more sensitive to it than others. RET has taught me how to edit my perception of things around me to my benefit. What was terrible and awful now just is. Always and never hardly exist. That type of mindset comes from the rational thoughts and beliefs.

[AZ1970]

CBT is a very commonly used therapy. It is helpful for many people. It can help with both anxiety and depression. It can’t hurt to try it. Let us know how it goes.

[RainneLim]

Hey. My psychiatrist uses CBT to help me cope with both depression and anxiety. There are many different types of methods and different approaches but the end goal is the same, changing how you view your perspective on life and choses when you are having anxiety and depression.

Of course, it takes time and practice. And also, if you are willing to do those practices and actually do them, it will work. And sometimes, methods becomes overused so you start to use others.

Whenever I have anxiety, my mind gets stuck in this loophole of worry. When that happens, I write or tell myself: "oh, there I go again worrying about my future career that isn't there yet." This is like calling myself out or calling out the anxiety and kind of helps me step back and think, "hey, this is the anxiety symptoms telling you this. this is not the truth."

For depression, I "talk" to it. I tell it, "hey. you are telling me this and that. well, screw you!" I actually get upset at the feeling of depressions and actually feel more confident. Depression pushes me low, but I tell it no and I am not going to let it control me.

Of course, sometimes it works sometimes it kinds works so the symptoms aren't as aggressive, but I tell my doctor that and she works with me with new methods. It's all about you accepting your symptoms (remember depression and anxiety is not who you are), working with you doctor to take those CBT treatments and actually doing them.

I hope this helps you get a little more detailed perspective of my experience in CBT. And if you have questions about my experience or questions how I was able to find a doctor who mainly uses CBT, I am here to ask answer your questions with an open mind.

[spilling-ink in reply to RainneLim]

I so appreciate your thoughtful answer! One of my previous counsellors worked with me through a couple of exercises used in CBT, but I've never done it long term. That counsellor was focused on changing your thoughts, and my counsellor now wants me to focus on accepting that they're THOUGHTS and they don't define me...but it's really hard to do. I'm glad it's been beneficial for you and I start the course today so hopefully I find the same thing! Take care.

[RainneLim in reply to spilling-ink]

Hey. Yes! That is exactly the end goal too about they're THOUGHTS, not reality. The thoughts that are making us sad or worried are just thoughts. It does take time to accept it but overtime you begin to realize "oh, here are the depressive and anxiety thoughts again, dammit. okay, these are not My Thoughts. This the the Depression and the Anxiety."

It does take practice. So a new way I am tackling my depression is "talking to it", kind of like "oh you are telling me I am worthless. No I am not." then I say things (or write) things I've accomplish or things I've done I am proud of and then go on telling these negative thoughts that I am worthy.

Making sure to practice is very key because the more you do it, the more it becomes a habit.

[Marshall64]

How much have you looked into the online course? How much does it cost? I have the book (Feeling Good) and thought about making my own worksheets in Excel.

[spilling-ink in reply to Marshall64]

I have that book as well! The course is actually free and I just started it and am liking it so far. Would definitely recommend making worksheets for yourself.

[Hidden]

Hi can I ask which online course your looking at for your CBT I am currently doing face to face sessions but I feel it is not helping me at all. I am doing one on anxious minds they have work sheets. Could do with some advice. Thanks