Lupus Support - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Author

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Deb

2004-12-16, 9:23 am

This is just a personal query, Rob (my better half) has been off work on and
off for the past year with anxiety, panicky episodes, as well as high blood
pressure and cholesterol problems.The BP and cholesterol has come down with
diet and meds, but despite beta blockers his anxiety/stress hasn't changed
much. A really good thing is that he is at admitting that there's a
possibility it could be stress related, which is a major breakthrough. GP
has referred him to a cognitive behavioural therapist, I think Robs got to
the point where he will give anything a go; has anyone used this therapy,
know of anyone that it has helped? I have asked around, there's loads of
info on the net, mixed messages really- some good, some bad.
Any info would really help,
Deb (UK)

cloud

2004-12-16, 9:23 am

Not sure if this is the same as going to a psychologist or if a cognitive
behavioral therapist is in actuality a psychologist in sheep's clothing but
it sounds basically the same to me. Looking at things new ways in which
perhaps old ways have become stressful? He perhaps needs to learn to
desensitize himself from tasks at hand? Perhaps he needs to take an
antianxiety medication or something like Paxil? Has he ever tried anything
like that or thought of it, Deb?

--
Always,
...· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

"Deb" <debi.ashton@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:cni1u8$516$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> This is just a personal query, Rob (my better half) has been off work on
> and
> off for the past year with anxiety, panicky episodes, as well as high
> blood
> pressure and cholesterol problems.The BP and cholesterol has come down
> with
> diet and meds, but despite beta blockers his anxiety/stress hasn't changed
> much. A really good thing is that he is at admitting that there's a
> possibility it could be stress related, which is a major breakthrough. GP
> has referred him to a cognitive behavioural therapist, I think Robs got to
> the point where he will give anything a go; has anyone used this therapy,
> know of anyone that it has helped? I have asked around, there's loads of
> info on the net, mixed messages really- some good, some bad.
> Any info would really help,
> Deb (UK)
>
>

Lassy Lass

2004-12-16, 9:23 am

Deb,
I myself have never herd of cognitive therapy. I was told I have
cognitive probablms. If you find out anything please let me know also.
(((((((hugs))))))
Melody

Stephanie Townsend

2004-12-16, 9:23 am

I only have a minute to respond as I am running out the door, but I wanted
to weigh in on this one. I was trained in doing CBT, although I have not
used it much yet as I am working more in the public policy sector these days
rather than doing counseling. It has been shown to be really effective,
especially when combined with medication. It is a very hands on/proactive
approach to therapy where a person is taught how one's thoughts, emotions
and behavior are all integrally connected and each affect the other. It is a
two front approach. One, in therapy we work on behavior -- sometimes it is
just scheduling pleasant activities that you would otherwise neglect to do,
or implement other positive behaviors into your daily routine. The premise
behind that is, often once you act it, you feel it. It's why they say if you
want to be happy smile and the feeling will come. Now, that is way
oversimplified and obviously doesn't work alone. There is then the cognitive
part - this is the part I find most helpful. It is learning to cue into
those automatic thoughts the flash across our minds that bring on negative
emotions. For example, if you are given a task at work and find yourself
feeling overwhelmed or depressed, there was probably a thought that flashed
through your mind that caused that feeling (e.g. "I'll never get this done."
"I am worthless." "I'll fail."). Most of the time we don't even pay
attention to these thoughts - only the feelings they produce. One part of
therapy is learning to identify them and then pulling apart what these
thoughts really say about your view of yourself, others and the world. Then
there is a process of evaluating how realistic these thoughts/beliefs are
(evidence for or against it). The therapy involves other stuff too -
brainstorming, problem solvine, etc.... I wish I could go into more detail.
It is not usually the type of therapy where you hash out your childhood
demons, etc... it is much more present focused. Yet, most therapists I know
use a combo of techniques these days. I hope this helps. I gotta go - I am
going to be late for work. Let me know if you have any questions!

Steph

PS - I was in CBT myself at one time and found it very beneficial - it is
one thing that got me into psychology.

"Deb" <debi.ashton@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:cni1u8$516$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> This is just a personal query, Rob (my better half) has been off work on
> and
> off for the past year with anxiety, panicky episodes, as well as high
> blood
> pressure and cholesterol problems.The BP and cholesterol has come down
> with
> diet and meds, but despite beta blockers his anxiety/stress hasn't changed
> much. A really good thing is that he is at admitting that there's a
> possibility it could be stress related, which is a major breakthrough. GP
> has referred him to a cognitive behavioural therapist, I think Robs got to
> the point where he will give anything a go; has anyone used this therapy,
> know of anyone that it has helped? I have asked around, there's loads of
> info on the net, mixed messages really- some good, some bad.
> Any info would really help,
> Deb (UK)
>
>

herbwormwood

2004-12-16, 9:23 am

Hi,
Yes, if it is UK a psychologist will probably do it. The "cognitive" part,
of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy means "cognitions, which is psychobabble for
thoughts. I think in UK some GPs are training to do it too.

On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 10:31:34 +0000, cloud wrote
(in article <a8_nd.51022$6w6.29941@tornado.tampabay.rr.com> ):

> Not sure if this is the same as going to a psychologist or if a cognitive
> behavioral therapist is in actuality a psychologist in sheep's clothing but
> it sounds basically the same to me. Looking at things new ways in which
> perhaps old ways have become stressful? He perhaps needs to learn to
> desensitize himself from tasks at hand? Perhaps he needs to take an
> antianxiety medication or something like Paxil? Has he ever tried anything
> like that or thought of it, Deb?
>
>

Stephanie Townsend

2004-12-16, 9:23 am

To clarify - when I say I was "trained" - i meant i just took classes in it
in graduate school and did therapy for just a year -- I am NOT an expert or
anything! Don't want to misrepresent!

"Stephanie Townsend" <lerchy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Nsudnf0xj8btdTzcRVn-sg@comcast.com...
>I only have a minute to respond as I am running out the door, but I wanted
>to weigh in on this one. I was trained in doing CBT, although I have not
>used it much yet as I am working more in the public policy sector these
>days rather than doing counseling. It has been shown to be really
>effective, especially when combined with medication. It is a very hands
>on/proactive approach to therapy where a person is taught how one's
>thoughts, emotions and behavior are all integrally connected and each
>affect the other. It is a two front approach. One, in therapy we work on
>behavior -- sometimes it is just scheduling pleasant activities that you
>would otherwise neglect to do, or implement other positive behaviors into
>your daily routine. The premise behind that is, often once you act it, you
>feel it. It's why they say if you want to be happy smile and the feeling
>will come. Now, that is way oversimplified and obviously doesn't work
>alone. There is then the cognitive part - this is the part I find most
>helpful. It is learning to cue into those automatic thoughts the flash
>across our minds that bring on negative emotions. For example, if you are
>given a task at work and find yourself feeling overwhelmed or depressed,
>there was probably a thought that flashed through your mind that caused
>that feeling (e.g. "I'll never get this done." "I am worthless." "I'll
>fail."). Most of the time we don't even pay attention to these thoughts -
>only the feelings they produce. One part of therapy is learning to identify
>them and then pulling apart what these thoughts really say about your view
>of yourself, others and the world. Then there is a process of evaluating
>how realistic these thoughts/beliefs are (evidence for or against it). The
>therapy involves other stuff too - brainstorming, problem solvine, etc....
>I wish I could go into more detail. It is not usually the type of therapy
>where you hash out your childhood demons, etc... it is much more present
>focused. Yet, most therapists I know use a combo of techniques these days.
>I hope this helps. I gotta go - I am going to be late for work. Let me know
>if you have any questions!
>
> Steph
>
> PS - I was in CBT myself at one time and found it very beneficial - it is
> one thing that got me into psychology.
>
> "Deb" <debi.ashton@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
> news:cni1u8$516$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
>
>