Posted by papillon2 on February 16, 2012, at 7:55:33
In reply to Re: depressive emotions, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 15, 2012, at 19:47:53
CBT and DBT have taught me skills that enable me to cope with depression, but they're never going to be (anywhere near) cure-alls. Just another tool in my arsenal.
I do however agree with Raisinb about CBT not always being a good thing (or, for that matter, any type of psychotherapy other than 'supportive'). CBT is very good when you're dealing with a thought that is inaccurate. You can unpack the thought, look for evidence, re-evaluate your situation and greatly lessen the intensity of related feelings, provided you don't start berating yourself for having an incorrect thought, aka "why the hell are you thinking this way you f*cking loser". When your thought is accurate, however, closer examination only serves to make you more painfully aware of just how hopeless and helpless your situation is. This is NOT a good thing. Hopeless + helpless = suicidal.
And again, that's where DBT comes in: teaching you how to sit with and tolerate horrible thoughts and feelings, all without judging yourself. Things may indeed be hopeless and helpless, but you can put up with it for a minute at a time without hurting yourself.
One might say that CBT lightens your load, while DBT strengthens your muscles. Either way, your depression becomes easier to carry.
On a related note, I think that doctors should be more aware of the side effects and risks of psychotherapy and be made to counsel patients accordingly. Just like pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy can worsen depression and cause other emotional problems or trauma, especially in the short-term. Few people like to admit this.
Ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in
~ Leonard Cohen
poster:papillon2
thread:1010125
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120212/msgs/1010429.html