cognitive behavioral therapy?

[rae80407]

Anybody had this type of therapy before? What can I expect? How well does it work? Did it help you or is it helping you reach your goals?

I'll be having my very first therapy session Wednesday and since I'm so nervous and it's behavior therapy, I was hoping I could get advice from any who has had it. Any situation, story or advice is very much welcomed and appreciated.

[juliayadda]

CBT is more emphasis on the cognitive less on the behaviour.

Expect to talk.

At some point they will teach you techniques to change how you react and process stressors.

I almost think you are confused because of the word behaviour. Dont worry about that word. CBT is the number one treatment for anxiety.

[rae80407]

Jul 6, 2015 21:47:30 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

CBT is more emphasis on the cognitive less on the behaviour.

Expect to talk.

At some point they will teach you techniques to change how you react and process stressors.

I almost think you are confused because of the word behaviour. Dont worry about that word. CBT is the number one treatment for anxiety.

What about depression and anger issues? Would it help with crazy uncontrollable outbursts when I feel out of control of a situation or for lack of a better description, if I don't get my way and I flipp out?

[rae80407]

I feel as though when I get that angry and I tantrum or whatever happens during that incredibly anxious angry time I then am extremely down for a few days. Crying, guilt ridden, ashamed.

I'm good at dealing like 90% of the time but certain things happen and I wigg out. I'm just tired of this cycle and I want to break it.

[juliayadda]

Anger is a coping mechanism for anxiety. CBT will definitely help with that.

Rae I have to say you seem a little high strung with this tonight. I recommend you take some deep breaths in through your nose, filling your diaphragm and out through your mouth. Count down from ten.

You cannot be stressed and relaxed at the same time. Each time you take breath after this count down start to calm your body bit by bit.

Hang in there okay?

[rae80407]

juliayadda, you are very observant, I am very high strung about this lol. I'm feeling a little better, your advice is great. I actually took a break from all electronic things and laid in my favorite comfortable position. I then closed my eyes and repeated to myself over and over that I can do this. I will do this. I can. And while doing that, I pictured myself climbing a rope, one hand over another, climbing and pulling myself out of a dark hole that I visualized to represent the despair and negative way I've felt for the past few days. It helped immensely. I actually feel like I could maybe smile with out my face breaking. I guess my goal for this week is to keep that positive way of thinking and look at this therapy as a good thing that can help me and bring a positive change instead of the scary unknown.

@sluttybigb00bz, I just want to say thank you. Just seeing your small phrase of this being exciting actually made me feel like it IS exciting. It feels really good talking to you and how you went through the same issues and how you are now able to chill on a conflict and be productive. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to be able to follow you and maybe share with you how this goes and get your personal insight since our issue was so similar. I just thought I'd ask so as not to seem so creepy creeperson with the follow! But it was amazing how your little phrase and you sharing has helped my out look.

Thank you all for your support. I'm sooo glad I came here because I was for sure off the deep end for a bit and looking on this board help keep me from like climbing the walls. It has been so helpful and I'm so glad you all are here.

[icequeen]

rae80407, I really think you will benefit from CBT. Julia is right, this is a very common therapy technique that mainly addresses the thoughts and beliefs that mold your behaviors, and helps you change your attitudes so you can react appropriately and healthily. For example, your therapist might ask you what drives your anger or will ask you to list your triggers. She/he will try to get to the core of why you are feeling the way you feel, which is causing you to react in anger, and then will help you figure out mental exercises that will lessen your automatic response.

Good luck, you will do great. Be patient with yourself because this is all new. We're here for you!

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2015 21:53:51 GMT -5 rae80407 said:

Jul 6, 2015 21:47:30 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

CBT is more emphasis on the cognitive less on the behaviour.

Expect to talk.

At some point they will teach you techniques to change how you react and process stressors.

I almost think you are confused because of the word behaviour. Dont worry about that word. CBT is the number one treatment for anxiety.

What about depression and anger issues? Would it help with crazy uncontrollable outbursts when I feel out of control of a situation or for lack of a better description, if I don't get my way and I flipp out?

Depression, anger, and anxiety are all very much intertwined. You can be angry and depressed, anxious and depressed, depressed and anxious, or even all three at once. Depression and anxiety does not manifest itself in the same way for everyone.

The one thing you really need to understand is that therapy is not going to cure these issues; instead the therapist should be working with you to find the root cause and to help develop appropriate coping skills. Developing strong coping skills will help you to identify triggering scenarios and react to them in an appropriate way before they become overwhelming.

[rae80407]

@sluttybigb00bz, I will try that. It's definitely a lot better than texting him that I hate him when he does something that pisses me off. I don't hate him, I love him with all my heart, but when I'm mad I sure tell him I hate him a lot. It's crazy that I can dish it out but when he's had enough and lashes back with a name or that he hates me, it hurts so bad and I just don't see it hurting him because he acts like it doesn't. I will definitely keep that in mind during our next argument. Hopefully it will go better.

[bocaburger]

CBT has really helped me develop coping skills and learn how to talk myself down during an anxiety attack. I think you get out of it what you put in. I have really made an effort to work on the things I talk about with my therapist in between sessions. I think making that commitment has been very important.

[rae80407]

Today's the day guys. I'm so nervous. I'll let you all know how it went. Wish me luck.

[Deleted]

Good luck!

[KayVeeKay]

CBT is pretty standard I guess. They've been doing it for me since I was diagnosed back in November. I just didn't know the name for it until May.

[icequeen]

rae80407, hope you are doing ok! Let us know how the session went!

[rae80407]

Thank you for asking icequeen. It went ok. It was 3 long hours of going over paperwork and insurance. I finally got to meet the therapist I will be seeing. She specializes in psychology and she said she has plenty of experience in CBT. I wanna thank @sluttybigb00bz for the suggestion to look at it like a job interview, that's what I did and it helped me feel a bit more comfortable.

She had a relaxing office with aromatherapy going on and a soothing water fountain sound as well as a calming voice. It was mostly intake and her entering in things on the computer, asking history questions and what not, so I don't want to judge too quickly. I will definitely give it a few sessions before I make any final thoughts on her and the help she will provide. The only thing that kinda sucks is that I don't see her for the actual session until August 10th. Until then though I'm going to practice some calming techniques I've found online and of course I'm definitely open to suggestions and advice from you wonderful ladies.

When I got home I was feeling down and depressed a bit still but I'm feeling a bit better tonight. I just want to thank you all for being here, it helps so much to have somewhere to turn.

[URMySunshine77]

rae80407, I hope that you have positive future experiences with your therapist. I have been wanting to try CBT to control my anxiety.

[rae80407]

Jul 10, 2015 0:22:28 GMT -5 URMySunshine77 said:

rae80407, I hope that you have positive future experiences with your therapist. I have been wanting to try CBT to control my anxiety.

Thank you URMySunshine77, I certainly do too. I have been doing a lot of self research on things to do for the depression such as journaling and what not. After my loss when I first developed my panic, I did a lot of self work that really helped me. I had them so badly that I couldn't go out side without hyperventilating. I took a small dose of an antidepressant for 6months and during that time I worked very hard to understand my triggers and symptoms. It took a lot to strengthen my mind and I did a lot of mental exercises myself, pushed my limits and boundaries. It helped immensely, my panic became anxiety that was uncomfortable but entirely bearable, and the attacks very few and far between. I am really hoping that CBT will be similar to what I did for myself. I would be glad to update you on how it goes as well as offer advice into what I did that helped me so much in the beginning of my journey with anxiety and panic.