Should I quit therapy?

[Sevencats]

I've been doing talk therapy for persistent depressive disorder for a couple of years now, and it has helped a little bit. I like my current therapist, but haven't made very much progress. I seem to be stuck, but I can muddle by, I think. It would be very difficult to find a new therapist that takes my insurance. The few friends I have are good talkers but not good listeners, and I like having a therapist to listen to me, but I'm not sure the cost is worth it. Any ideas for me?

[Rafiki11]

If you’re stuck and have done therapy for a couple of years, I would consider switching gears.

For example, join a yoga class, try martial arts, or dabble in amateur theater.

[Sevencats in reply to Rafiki11]

Yeah, I thought therapy was supposed to be special and wonderful, and so far it hasn't been. Maybe I should use the money on something else.

[Rafiki11 in reply to Sevencats]

Therapy can be very helpful but it is only one part of a comprehensive treatment plan for managing depression and anxiety.

Just like with the pandemic, we didn’t try just one thing to slow the spread. We washed hands. We socially distanced. We developed a vaccine. We quarantined close contacts. We developed new treatments for the critically ill.

Just doing therapy for depression/anxiety can be like only washing your hands when there’s a pandemic. You have to surround problems with a few good strategies, not just one.

[Fearoffear]

When therapy was over for me I felt like I still needed help. I started my own therapy. There are a lot of self help CBT and other workbooks and DIY's out there for you to teach yourself. I'm always looking for new ways to keep anxiety on its toes. There are free apps, free workbook sheets, free books, seminars and a whole bunch of stuff in the web if you go looking. I have linked in some of my other posts and responses to those sites. I wonder if I posted some free sites and app urls if anyone would use it? I have been through therapy until my therapist said I can do no more a few times. It's frustrating but don't let that be the end you can give yourself all the therapy you need and maybe find a different approach than any therapy you've done. Gentle hugs 🤗🤗

[Dolphin14]

Self help is so important to healing. Maybe cut back on your sessions for awhile?

I can't every think of dropping my therapy.

I'm in two types and it seems I'm having crisis situations all the time where I need perspective to help me look at things clearly.

You have to look for things that supplement talking.

There has to be something you can add to your tool box of survival.

Best of luck to you

🐬