CBT - shall I give it up or carry on?

[Userno464836383737363744]

Hi all, basically I’ve suffered from anxiety for many years which has really heightened over the last few years. I have a lot of trauma both in childhood and as an adult too, I’m also under a lot of stress raising two SEN children.

initially I was being referred for counselling in 2020 but for covid reasons it was never done. Recently re referred for counselling, after a long wait they’ve said they cannot offer counselling but can offer talking therapy - CBT

I am week 3 in and I still don’t really understand CBT. I also believe I am autistic so this could be a factor in struggling to grasp it.

shall I carry it on, or shall I give it up? The therapist just sits and nods her head. I’m a very complex person and I don’t feel that irs enough. I also don’t think she understands the pressure of having Sen children and the toll that can take on your MH!

some recent suggestions were to set aside a time of just 15 minutes to worry each day. That’s impossible for me, my mind is very busy and it is hard to switch off. If only it was that easy.

will it be frowned upon if I say I cannot do it anymore (it’s virtual)! Will the doctors refuse to help me further if I don’t complete it?

it just seems such a waste of time. I don’t think I’ve learnt anything from it.

whilst it seems to work for many, for me it’s not doing anything.

CBT is very active, you have to experiment and try things out. If you don't agree with the homework task, discuss it at the time, agree a plan and work hard to carry it out. Everyone is complex but some simple things work well. I would talk to your therapist about your doubts and the choice of continuing or not. It's unlikely you will be offered an alternative as this is the main offer for anxiety, and effective for many people. If you get to the end and have engaged fully, there might be other follow on options. Requesting any adjustments due to autism. Your therapist might be good or might not be, but speak honestly to them about your experience of the therapy.

I initially thought it was a waste of time. But did learn techniques over the course that have been very helpful.

CBT can work less well for people with autism, unless it is specifically adapted. It's also not great for people with childhood trauma, as often there too much dissociation in traumatised brains. e.g. "I know i'm not logically in danger but I still feel scared, because a dissociated younger part of my brain thinks this trigger means danger. Some types of therapy would be able to address that, but standard CBT does not.

I'd try to find out how to get eligible for more specialist help. It might be that you have to go through this course of CBT to prove that you've tried the cheapest method of help, if so then I'd grit my teeth and bear it.

I have similar issues to you. Have your tried EMDR. My counsellor didn't think CBT would help so we did EMDR instead and it's been life changing still have hard times but getting there.

Stick with it definitely least 6 weeks.

I am autistic. I've has CBT and it's worked and been brilliant. I've already recently tried it for PTSD/PND and I just knew it wasn't working. I would ask for an alternative therapy OP. When you know you know.

I had CBT by phone three years ago. The therapist said I must commit to the phone call at the same time each week and then, after a couple of weeks, announced she would be on holiday for the next two weeks, so there was a long break. It was more difficult to get back into afterwards. I found face to face therapy much more helpful several years ago, but I didn’t find phone CBT helpful.

Initially I didn't believe cbt was working for me. I stuck with it though and near the end of the course my therapist referred me to an intensive therapist who really helped me and who also was trained in emdr.
At the end of the course I don't think they will just wave you off if you still need help if you show to be engaging.