Diagnosed with depression and refererred for CBT

[DontCallMeFrothyDragon]

I was diagnosed with depression (again) on Tuesday. I've been referred for CBT, although the GP mentioned the possibility of anti depressants. With each of my previous diagnosises, I've been prescribed citalopram, which I've found has caused no end of side effects (last time, it caused nightmares, and put me off food enough to lose a stone in the first two weeks I was on it). So, at the moment, I've told him I want to avoid the anti depressant route.

Has anyone had any experience with CBT? Does it still work without medication? Am I going down the right route by declining them at least for now?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Was reading up on CBT and AD for another MNer last week who has postnatal depression. An article in the BMJ suggested that a course of CBT was as effective as AD or AD with one session of CBT.

Suppose it depends on how you are coping. Can you wait until the CBT starts?

[catsareevil]

There are other antidepressants than citalopram. CBT can work on its own though. Do you know what the waiting list is like for CBT in your area?

[Mabelface]

CBT was extremely effective for my DH who suffered from anxiety and depression. It focuses on coping strategies and moves you towards positive rather than negative thinking.

[Pan]

In my job I practice CBT, as an underlying principle. It looks at your "thoughts-feelings-behaviour", and how they can all interlink in a very positive manner.. It can be remarkably effective in lots of ways, esp. if you have learned a 'negative script' from your experiences of life, or at least some of them.

I'd advise/suggest that the key is to keep practicing the techniques when you have learned them. It's all to easy to get side-tracked and slip back a bit.
hth.

[LawrieMarlow]

I found CBT extremely effective and for me it has helped to stop me needing to take ADs for nearly two years.

When I was at my lowest point, CBT wouldn't have helped as I needed what ADs did to get me out of the dark place I was in - for me waiting a bit until I was on more of an even keel was good.

[Pan]

oh and I am sure your gp or someone else may have suggested this, but taking some exercise is also very potent - it doesn't mean buying trendy gear and going to a gym. Just going for a really brisk walk will raise your endorphine levels and help with eating habits and sleep quality.
It also means you are doing something 'active' for yourself, rather than something 'passive' like taking tablets. Obv medication has it's role where necessary, but if the depression is mild or moderate, then exercise has a proven record.

[NanaNina]

I don't quite understand why the GP hasn't offered another AD apart from citalopram, which seems to be the drug of choice these days. I may be being cynical but it could be because it's the cheapest. Citalopram is one of the new generation SSRIs but there are many other SSRIs. I am taking an old fasioned AD (one of the tryclics - imiprame) and it works for me.

I have also been introduced to CBT by my CPN, who admitted that she had been on a course about CBT so was not a qualified CBT therapist. Nonethelss I think she was able to convey the basics of the therapy to me. When I am feeling OK it makes sense to me, but when I'm not (still having blips now and then) it doesn't appeal so much, though I do try to stop the spiral of negative thinking and try more balanced thinking.

To be honest I think CBT is being hailed as a "cure all" at the moment - whether for depression, chronic illness (physical or mental) unemployment, redundancy etc etc. It's quite a simple theory and has some merit, as many poster on the MH thread say how much it has helped. I guess it's to do with the therapist as much as anything.

I would have thought a change of meds and CBT is your way forward

[DontCallMeFrothyDragon]

Thanks everyone. The doctor said I should hear in a couple of weeks about an appointment, so sounds like waiting lists aren't too bad in my area.

NanaNina, I think the doctor had offered another type of med, but my head is still kinda swimming from things. He'd either offered different meds or another course of citalopram and I can't remember which, but I said I wanted to try to avoid the medication route for now, at least, given how badly I felt I reacted the last time I was on meds.

Pan, am trying the excercise route atm. Unfortunately, weather here has been unpredictable lately, so haven't been able to take it up as easily as I would like. :/ What happened to summer, really?