what's cbt?

[Alambil]

been referred

Cognitive and behavioural therapy - somebody will be along to explain it better than I can, I expect. But it's good to get a referral! My friend had to wait months and months on a waiting list before she was able to see somebody, but when she did, she found it very, very helpful. I hope it works out for you .

I have had CBT. It is a kind of 'talking therapy'.

I did not find it helpful as I was misdiagnosed as having a mental psychosomatic condition when I actually had a real undiagnosed physical illness.

However, CBT is good with condtions such as stress and OCD.

CBT looks at how your thoughts and behaviour relate to the way you feel. The therapist will work on this with you and help you find ways to change your thought patterns and behaviour. Some good info here cognitive behavioural therapy. It also good for treating phobias and irrational fears eg: fear of trains/needles etc

hmmm don't think it's going to be good then...

I need proper stuff - not why do you do that stuff

oh well, spose I'll have to try it first

Well it will focus on your current problems and difficulties - not about your past. If you want that, then you need psychotherapy but very difficult to get that on the NHS as its normally for the long haul! Its worth a try anyway.

well the gp said it goes from the beginning - maybe its a combination of stuff

will just have to wait n see I guess

am not looking forward to it, thats for sure

CBT is used to treat depression too but not sure how successful it is.

Oh and it really is not at all unpleasant.

Just talking to someone really.

You can do an online version too . MindGym or Moodgym.

I didn't find the online one all that great. in fact, it made me feel stupid

That doesn't sound good pixie!

I had a CBT therapist who was briliant. It was very much focussed on making life better in the here and now, but where my past was relevant then of course it was part of the discussion. Mine taped the sessions and encouraged me to listen back to them a couple of days later, which I used to do lying on my bed with an ancient Walkman. It was very effective and revealing -- I could relate to the person talking from a distance and see what the patterns in 'her' reasoning were. But the taping thing is not universal, so you won't necessarily do that.

Don't be sad about being referred, any action is positive. Sometimes even the therapists who don't work out can make you feel like you have a sense of yourself which is stronger than you had realised. Good luck.

hi, please don't dismiss CBT. It is the real deal as far as fixing many problems - why?

Because it says, look, the way you talk to yourself most of the time (without even realising it) becomes so natural that you don't even notice it. However, you can develop thinking habits that in turn adversely affect your behaviour and that's how a vicious circle of anxiety, depression and other disabling problems can continue.

CBT practitioners show you how by catching yourself thinking in certain ways in certain situations that cause a difficulty for you, you can eventually find more constructive self-talk and so help yourself to be in control. It's something you need to practice daily and you get homework!

It's not a quick process - we are who we are because we've been thinking a certain way for a very long time. But it's one of the best therapies for many people with mental health issues as it gives them a real set of tools to change things with - often with meds to start with, but in the end, perhaps not.

hi, would recommend the Mind website (sorry too tired to work out how to link its mind.org.uk) for loads of good relaible info on mental health stuff. bound to have info on cbt.
I work for a health info service and have heard v good things about cbt from people who have had it.