had my first session of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy today

[nametaken]

It's exhausting talking about your stresses and emotions, I walked out feeling completely and utterly drained.

I just thought I'd tell you all about it as I go through the process from beginning to end, hopefully it might help someone decide whether or not CBT is for them.

I had my initial assessment today and will tell you more tomorrow because I've got to sleep now - LOL one of my problems was insomnia.

Anyone else want to share their CBT stories?

CBT is something thats always interested me, I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences of it. Is it rude to ask why you have started this kind of therapy?

I'm due to start this soon. I'm worried it may make me feel worse rather than better. I'd be interested to read what else you have to say. Hope you have a good night's sleep!

I've had 6 or 7 sessions so far and now getting anxious about it ending! but can't put my finger on why, exactly.

Thanks so much for posting. Will read your thread with great interest.

I've had two sessions of CBT one for Anxiety and panic attacks, the latter for severe clinical depression (to give the official name and sound all dramatic .

The session for the panic attacks was hard work but a fantastic learning curve. It was wonderful to realise how common my feelings were and why I felt like I was going to die every time I stepped outside the door. Blimen hard work between sessions making myself go out and do the excercises but well worth all the effort. I still get the start of panic attacks but, many years on, I know how to nip them in the bud immediately - Freedom Woo Hoo.

Second session for depression is open ended for me. It's a much harder nut to crack but my psychologist is lovely, very supportive and he helps so much when I wonder if I am totally overreacting to something or not. He has helped me to understand why I am depressed and how I can make it worse for myself with incorrect thought patterns. Sometimes when I go and see him it feels more like chatting than anything else just talking about how I feel at the time and what is going on in my life. It is only when I have a sudden downturn later on and I hear his voice in my head that I realise how much therapy has been going on and how much of it is direct CBT practice. So thank you very much Coby's psychologist

Nametaken - I usually feel pretty drained after a session too, it's all that outpouring of emotion that does it. A few days later when I have got over the 'letting it all out' having kept it all in for (sometimes) many years, I recover and start to think about the advice I was given and try to put it to good use. That gets easier with time IME. Good luck with your CBT

Oh thanks everyone and don't worry I wont think any questions rude - I only ever post what I want to say anyway.

I forwarded myself for CBT as opposed to going through my GP for three reasons, 1. Insomnia, 2. very mild depression and 3. over-eating/binge eating/comfort eating.

The therapist was wonderful and said she thought my insomnia was caused by Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from years of witnessing my mum being a victim of domestic violence by my step-dad.

Strangly enough, I have a feeling that I am gonna feel worse before I feel better, almost as if you absolutely have to address those issues laid dormant for years. I don't mind feeling bad for a while as long as I think it's working at that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Coby - are you still having CBT for depression? What do you mean when you say it's open ended?

KerryMum - yes I am going to be brutally honest with myself and my therapist - at £80 a session self funded I am determined not to waste my money and to get something out of this.

hello again nametaken [smile} - yes I am still having CBT for depression. It is open ended in that I can sort of self medicate as my needs dictate so when things get bad I can make a phone call and get an appointment instead of having to go through my GP system. It's not too often that people get the opportunity to do this so I am incredibly lucky.

The depression I have seems to be particularly nasty and rather deep rooted and the way it affects me is quite unusual (apparently!) It is likely I will suffer from it on and off throughout my life so I have to learn to live with it. Usually when things take a turn for the worse I go and have a few sessions then I am OK again (still depressed but can cope better).

tbh feel pretty bad atm so probably making very little sense (thats my excuse and I am sticking to it ). I hope your sessions go well and you don't need too many at that cost.

Feel a bit calmer today, although I do have calm days now and again so probably not connected to the CBT. Did'nt sleep well again last night but ate less today am quite looking forward to my next session.