Has anyone had CBT for anxiety and depression?

[1darkangel]

[Lions13]

Hi Dark Angel,

I'm sure there are plenty of people on here that will have tried different therapies and CBT does seem to be the favoured model delivered by the NHS.

I am a CBT therapist and have helped people that have suffered from both anxiety and depression (sometimes suffering from both at the same time).

Are there any particular questions or concerns you have about CBT? I have copied the text from an information sheet that I provide to all my clients, which I hope you might find helpful, but if you do have any questions I will try my best to answer them.

Information sheet 1 - General Information about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Concern - What is CBT?

Answer - CBT is a relatively short-term, focused psychotherapy for a wide range of psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, anger, marital conflict, fears, and substance abuse/dependence. The focus of the therapy is on how you are thinking (your “cognitions”), behaving and communicating today, rather than on your early childhood experiences. Numerous studies have demonstrated that CBT is as effective as medication for depression, anxiety, obsessions, and other fears. Furthermore, because patients learn self-help in therapy, they are often able to maintain their improvement after therapy has been completed.

Concern - Evaluation of patients

Answer - When you begin CBT, your therapist will ask you to fill out self-report forms that assess a range of symptoms and problems. These forms evaluate depression anxiety, anger, fears, physical complaints, personality, and relationships. The purpose of the evaluation is to gather as much information on you as possible, so that you and therapist can learn quickly what kind of problems you do (or do not) have and the extent of your problems.

Concern - Treatment plans

Answer - You and your therapist will work together to develop a plan of therapy. This might include how often you need to come; your diagnosis; your goals; skill acquisition; needed changes in the way you think, behave, and communicate; and other factors.

Concern - What are therapy sessions like?

Answer - Some other forms of therapy are unstructured, but in CBT you and your therapist will set an agenda for each meeting. The agenda might include a review of the previous session, your homework, one or two current problems, your accomplishments in this session and homework for the next week. The goal is to solve problems, not just complain about them.

Concern - Homework

If you went to a personal trainer in a gym, you would expect to get guidance on how to exercise when the trainer is not there. The same thing is true of CBT. What you learn in therapy is what you practice outside of therapy on your own. Patients who carry out homework assignments get better faster and stay better longer. Your homework might include keeping track of your moods, thoughts, and behaviours; scheduling activities; developing goals; challenge your negative thoughts; collecting information; changing the way you communicate with others; and other assignments.

Concern - Aren’t my problems due to my childhood experiences?

Answer - Part of your problems may be due to how your parents, siblings, and peers treated you, but your solutions to your problems lie in what you are thinking and doing today. It may be useful to review the sources of your problems and help you learn how to change the way you think about them now.

Concern - Aren’t my problems due to bio-chemistry?

Answer - Part of your problems may be due to biochemistry, but many other factors; such as the way you think, behave and relate, as well as current and past life events are important. Using CBT does not rule out the use of medication, but we believe that it may be best to combine medication with therapy. An advantage of CBT is that you also learn ways to solve your problems on your own.

Concern - How will I know I’m getting better?

Answer - You and your therapist can identify specific goals at the beginning of your therapy – and you can modify these goals as you continue. Then you can evaluate whether you are becoming less depressed, anxious, angry, etc. You should feel free to give your therapist feedback on your progress, as this is useful to figure out what does, and doesn’t work.

Concern - How can I learn more about CBT?

Answer - Depending on the problems that you want to solve, your therapist can suggest a number of books or other reading for you. We believe that the more you know about yourself, the better of you will be. We hope that you can learn to become your own therapist.

Hope this helps, it is usually in the format of a table, but it wouldn't let me copy it across that way.

Take care

John

[1darkangel in reply to Lions13]

I am currently in the middle of having weekly CBT Therapy on the NHS and this has been helping a great deal so far. It has improved my mood and I am currently working on my anxiety with breathing exercises.

[Lions13 in reply to 1darkangel]

Breathing exercises and mindfulness are excellent ways to help deal with anxiety. It can really help you to feel in control of situations.

If you don't mind me asking...how many sessions are they giving you, and how long did it take from your initial contact with your GP until your 1st session? The reason I am asking is I recently started seeing a client that had already waited 9 months and was told there was still a waiting list. Of course different NHS boards, have different waiting times.

[1darkangel in reply to Lions13]

Don't know how many sessions I get but I get weekly 1 hour sessions and I am on my 8th session this Wednesday. I have had depression and anxiety for 4 years but became very ill suicidal in July this year, so after telling my Doctor that, he reffered me straight to Therapy which began on 2 October 2013.

[Lions13 in reply to 1darkangel]

It's great you didn't have to wait to long after speaking to your Doctor, but a real shame that you have endured anxiety and depression for so long.

[1darkangel in reply to Lions13]

I currently take 45mg Mirtzazapine for anxiety and depression but this has put over a stone in weight on me so I would like to ask my doctor to change my medication to another sedating antidepressant if possible. Any recommendations would be greatful thanks.

[Lions13 in reply to 1darkangel]

I never give advice on medication as I am not qualified to do so, but if you would like to change your medication...ask your doctor. You have the right to ask. Good luck.

[1darkangel in reply to Lions13]

I will thanks, I have an appointment tomorrow.

[Lions13 in reply to 1darkangel]

I was wondering if you have found your appetite has increased/returned since you started your medication, or is your eating the same? An effect of depression/anxiety can be a change/loss of appetite and I believe one of the potential side effects is an increase in appetite.

[1darkangel in reply to Lions13]

My appetite is just the same but I have put well over a stone on and this is a very common side effect.

[1darkangel in reply to Lions13]

My doctor has reduced my dose to 3omg and go back in a month to see how I am

[karenx]

I have had CBT for anxiety and they covered depression in the classes.

I think the only reason i am still this sane is because of those classes provided by the NHS.

Granted it doesnt ALWAYS work and i do still have moments of panic when they creep up on me but in general they have helped an awful lot.

[1darkangel in reply to karenx]

Thanks for your reply.

[BeautifulxWreck]

I'm currently having cbt started on Monday xx

[1darkangel]

I currently attend 50 minute weekly sessions and at first the sessions I found was extremely upsetting as you talk openly about your thoughts and feelings. But after a few sessions I began to trust and understand how my Therapist is trying to help me cope. The most helpful thing in my recovery was to write down every time I got upset or anxious about anything,the silly thoughts, feelings and physical symptoms, in turn this showed me that what you think effects how you feel or react.