ACT Therapy

[Geodog]

I have been seeing a therapist and trying to do ACT Therapy, but am really stuck trying to separate “self” from my thoughts and feelings. I have had terrible anxiety my whole life, and want to get rid of it. ACT is learning to accept my feelings and thought as feelings and thoughts, nothing more. I am struggling doing this.

[LoveforAll41]

I for one think that acceptance is the real way to go. There are others on here who I think are pretty much recovered... I had a period where I did well with this and it was amazing, though I have since lost this.

Anyway if you search the user BeeVee some good stuff will come up for you I think.

what does it mean to separate yourself from the thoughts and feelings? You can't have the feeling or thought without judging yourself for it?

[Geodog in reply to LoveforAll41]

yes, notice the thought or feeling, accept it for just what they are without judgement.

[LifeIsThePitts]

I'm fully immersed in Steven Hayes ACT and PBT THERAPY models, too. They're the CBT models that have been the most successful for myself in making permanent effective cognitive changes in my behavior.

I've been in and out of therapy for 12+ years. I restarted this winter with a couple new therapists and I've never experienced this kind of growth before "discovering" ACT through a mutual friend that brought it to my attention when I was at my worst mentally back in January.

youtu.be/UJGz_EAWzBY?si=W99...(Not working as expected?)

This is an audiobook link on YouTube for the ACT workbook I've been using. Even if you don't go through the writing exercises, listening to it was very helpful for me. I did buy the book on Amazon and use it in my sessions with other resources, as well.

I'm doing a Shadow Work workbook while investigating my particular insecure attachment style issues as they kinda go hand in hand.

Your journey has to be of your own making. Forging a personal path out your pain is individualized only to you. Following anyone else's pathway should only be a loose guideline for finding what each definition means to your Soul.

Diet

Exercise

Sleep

Lifestyle choices

These 4 things are paramount for well-being and optimal health results long term.

However, each one of these VERY broad categories must be individualized for your personal needs or the protocol will not succeed. That's a TON of really hard work on any individual that is buried under a lifetime of untreated mental illness.

You're moving forward with baby steps. You're on the right pathway. Just don't give up on yourself. It took decades to get where you are now... give yourself Grace and patience and you'll find your path. We're here for you 🫂💞

[Geodog]

thanks for the link and support. I am battling perfectionism also, that makes me want to do the act therapy perfectly, and I am trying to cut myself some slack.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to Geodog]

There is no such thing as perfection or control. They are both an illusion our minds use to keep us trapped in the same defeating and repeating cycles required to keep the mirage of suffering alive in our mind.

If we don't feed the ego, it cannot trick us anymore.

youtu.be/4lxTbqik_eM?si=PFd...(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/aUI_nKohRwY?si=wEe...(Not working as expected?)

These are 2 podcasts on the ego and Ego death that have put my perspective in a different light on anxiety and depression as I'm going through the ACT therapy process.

Honestly, the longer one is my favorite. I've listened to it 4-5 times. It gives me more insight every time I relisten to it.

[Geodog in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

Thank you!

[Mohammad-341]

Its not easy dear, but once you have undergone thru it results will be great