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Re: Sid: about talking » sid

Posted by jay on December 21, 2001, at 18:15:44

In reply to Re: Sid: about talking » IsoM, posted by sid on December 19, 2001, at 15:22:44


Sid:

Great post...thanks! I very much agree with you, and I wish both insurance companies and the government would pay more money out for all types of talking therapy.

I think there is a *tremendous* potential to be gained from all types of talking therapy, in particular in those slow, tiny moments a person is starting to feel "a bit" better, possibly from symptom relief by meds. I think it opens a window of sorts.

Talking therapy isn't also just about psychotherapy...I think some of the newer therapies can benefit as well. In particular, there a few, such as person-centered counselling, as well as interpersonal and life-skill counselling that can help many of us with the day-to-day problems, mostly in communication with the people around us.

Often, stress is a result of communication problems, and learning to handle those problems well can be a *major* booster. Anything from talking to our partners...our bosses...anybody who plays a role in our life, really. When we learn to handle these stresses, they can bring a *massive* amount of relief. Sadly, it seems that it takes a *very* long time for us to realize this, and I (even being a counsellor myself!) couldn't really benefit from it until I was into treatment for my depression and anxiety for 8 or so years. Mind you, the meds I am on where not around when I first was treated, and these meds where the only ones that have proven to be somewhat effective.

So, in closing, I just wanted to second the potential power of using both medication and talk therapy. I would strongly suggest, as hard as it is, even for folks to go to *any* local support group, learning things about the importance of communication, etc. Also, try to find one operated by someone who is trained in various therapy, especially interpersonal therapy and life-skills therapy. Those are things we can use *everday* in our lives, and as we conquer one thing, we get more confidence, and another...and it really *snowballs*...and we feel darn good about ourselves.

Again...this is just my belief in that most of us, but as you say only when willing, can benefit from a combined medication and *many* types of talk therapy, esp. beyond traditional psychotherapy.

Jay

> IsoM,
> thanks for your message.
>
> Well, I can't vow for what he/she meant to say, only for what was written, and I disagreed with it. Some people do make the choice of not trying psychotherapy and it is their right not to even consider it. Doesn't mean it wouldn't work however.
>
> I work with someone who's been on antidepressants for a long time. She is blatantly in need of therapy, makes everybody around her miserable because of her bad and irrational temper, but hey! she's above questioning herself, according to her - nothing wrong with her except brain chemistry. I happen to think that a little work would change her life for the better. No amount of antidepressant will do anything for someone who needs therapy and no amount of therapy will help anyone who needs antidepressants only. I think that most people with depression need both, especially to avoid relapses. Professionals, especially those with PhDs (I am one of them), tend to protect their turfs and that's why there is such a separation between psychology and psychiatry. Some of them are oprn minded enough to recommend both approaches jointly, but they are still too rare I find.
>
> Anyway, I had to say something because psychotherapy contributed to saving my life and I believe it could help many others. And my depression was real, I went as far as losing some psychomotricity - I could have not signed my name if my life had depended on it. That was more than just being depressed, that was real uncontrollable major depression. Mind you, drugs might have done the job too, perhaps faster, but in the long run I am persuaded that I can avoid relapses better.
>
> > Sid, I talk with adamie through e-mail, & I don't think he quite meant that. He doesn't hold back & seems quite open. Some people who've had depression for years develop "unhealthy" thinking patterns & talk therapy is very beneficial for them to retrain their thought processes & to overcome guilty feelings that they shouldn't have.
> >
> > If someone was "normal" before & some episode precipitated the depression, just straightening the brain chemistry will make them feel good. But it doesn't happen like that very often.
> >
> > I think it can be a fine line to tread for a doctor. Doctor asks patient "How are you feeling? Any problems you want to talk about?" & patient says "Nope! Everything's good." Does the doctor believe the patient or not? Is the patient really feeling good now or just refusing to discuss problems? I think it would be an awfully tough situation to judge correctly. That's why they're well-trained.
> >
> > Some people just need to share their feelings with someone, but many really do need talk therapy along with their medications.


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