Could CBT help?

[ShutOffTheLights]

I haven't been diagnosed but am waiting for a full assessment. There are some habits that I have that can be quite destructive and I'm wondering if CBT could help me change my behaviours? I've had it before for anxiety and panic disorder but it didn't really help then.
One example - I don't look after my teeth properly. I hate the feeling of tipees in my mouth and can't bring myself to use them. I often gag when brushing. I didn't go to the dentist for years, and now that I have started again I have gum disease and am facing the possibility of losing some teeth. But, it doesn't make me any better with dental hygiene.

I think I remember reading that CBT doesn't work for autistic people.

Thanks @ofwarren - I had heard that too actually. I was hoping there might be some posters who had had different experiences.

I'm a CBT therapist and also neurodiverse, have worked with a lot of autistic people who have benefited.

Thanks @Woolandwonder that's good to know.

I have used CBT in the past and found it extremely helpful. I think with CBT you have to have an open mind and do the homework, which if your motivation is low is the hard thing to overcome.

I'm not an expert, but i believe it's more of a thought process change rather than physical like you say brushing your teeth behaviours. So for me, I believed everyone hated me, but the therapist took me through the steps to ask what proof I have of that thought etc. and we went through people pleasing behaviours etc.

Cbt made me quite angry and did nothing to help. I'm not sure what is typical in other autistic people like if they get on with it or not, maybe it was just a me thing rather than me being autistic that made me not get on with it.

But you can always start it for this and stop if it's doing nothing for you or having negative effects. Probably best way is to give it a shot.

What kind of things made you angry if you don't mind me asking?
I was supposed to do some CBT a few years ago but chickened out as I can imagine I'd feel the same.

It's also going to be a lot down to how you relate to the therapist. The relationship is more important than the type of therapy (in my opinion, but also evidence based) A crap therapist (or just one that is a bad fit for you) will mean it's really hard to get anything from the work together.