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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cheetah on June 15, 2001, at 18:20:30
OK so I was put in the penalty box (censored) for a while - I'll be civil now.
How about we talk about what different types of therapies you undergo? Does it piss you off the way they just keep asking how you feel about it? I NEED SOME ANSWERS! (note to self: add neurosis to the list) Why don't they say what they're thinking? It's hard work digging to always have to come up with an answer. Are there any other types of therapies? Tell me about it. Have you done group stuff?
Posted by Phil on June 15, 2001, at 18:35:16
In reply to ENOUGH ABOUT DRUGS - WHAT ABOUT THERAPIES?, posted by cheetah on June 15, 2001, at 18:20:30
cheetah,
This should probably be redirected to psycho-social babble but what the heck.
In individual therapy, I was asked so many times,"How does that make you feel?" I came from a family of alcoholics where I was constantly trying to figure them out while losing myself in the process. Truth was, by the time I started therapy, I had no idea whatsoever how I felt about anything. I got tired of the question but it served it's purpose.
I've been in group for several months now and am finding it very challenging. If you are interested in group, you might want to read a book called 'Group-Six People in Search of a Life.' The author is Paul Solotaroff and the book is really good.
I think there was a thread about group therapy a few months back on PSB.
Posted by elderweissblue on June 15, 2001, at 19:06:19
In reply to Re: ENOUGH ABOUT DRUGS - WHAT ABOUT THERAPIES?, posted by Phil on June 15, 2001, at 18:35:16
> cheetah,
>
> I just want to say that Iam 34 years old and avoided medication for most of my life even though I have been a basketcase, you see I didnt think I deserved it. I was in five psychotherapy programs, one involved a stay at a hospital for one year, thats how intensive its was! I did drama therapy, art therapy , had one to ones with two counsellors, group therapy and then entered another therapy program. Then another and another. I was a junkie. It helped me a little, I admit , but it did not cure me, nor did it make the kind of difference that II needed to be a contributing memeber of society, and Now at 34 years old I have accepted the truth that I have a chemical imblance, that no book (I tried that and religion) can do it. Its sad but Iam still to a degree a basketcase. To be honest with you, Iam afraid of taking medications, part of my Gad, but slowly learning and accepting this route. Sure I research side effects and am suspicious myself of medications. But for people like me there isnt any alternative but to suffer or take medications. I wish it wasnt so. Taking the medication route is not the easy route or magic pill that you seem to imply towards us, they do have side effects that are real, but for many of us there just isnt any choice in the matter. St.John's Wort might be an alternative, I dont know. What I do know is that you have no idea of what you are talking about. You are just "ideological", as far as Iam concerned, and trying to make pople on this board feel ashamed. You are on a crusade, nothing more, in order to feel superior to the rest of us. I know who you are.
Posted by manowar on June 15, 2001, at 19:35:24
In reply to ENOUGH ABOUT DRUGS - WHAT ABOUT THERAPIES?, posted by cheetah on June 15, 2001, at 18:20:30
Hi cheetah,
I have been down for the most part for the last 15 years.
I have to say that I understand when people got a bit testy when you slammed them for talking about drug-therapy.
In my case, for 9 years I was in denial that I had a medical problem. I went to group therapies. Read lots of self-help books, ect...
Finally, I went to a good pdoc and he made it clear that it was not me- I had a medical problem.The bad part is that it can be very tempting to just sit around, become a human guinea pig, and wait for the psycho-activating affects of the drugs to take place--which is not so good.
I think balance is the key. Most pdocs say that in their experience a combo of psychiatry and psychology is the best remedy.
Anyway to answer your first question-
Yes, it does piss me off! One-on-one therapy bores the shit out of me, and it will you after a while too.
However, I must say it really depends on the therapist. Find one you like.
What I suggest you do is to go to a bookstore or library and read as much as you can on the different therapies available.
Dr. Burns has a pretty good book. He deals with cognitive therapy.
He says that just reading a self-help type book (bibliotherapy) can be just as good as therapy, and a hell of a lot cheaper. No one therapy is the best, it depends on the individual.
I personally like group type stuff.
Being in a group gives you a warm fuzzy feeling of being with a bunch of people that you know. Moreover, it is fun. It doesn’t even need to be a textbook ‘therapy session’. I've never been in a depression group before. However, I've gone to various other groups. I think you don't have to be in any certain type group to get benefit. As long as you're with a group of people that have similar interests, you'll get a kick out of it. The best part is all you have to do is pick up the classifieds and find something that interests you, and it is free!Anyway there are many types of therapy including: Cognitive (change your thoughts or cognitions), Behavior (change your behavior). Right now, that’s all I can think of. But it really doesn’t matter because they are designed to do the same thing, that is
change the way you perceive the world.
Ultimately, whatever therapy you choose is used to change your outlook on life, which should benefit your mood. (In theory at least)But you are right. I do personally think about drugs too much. I need to take more responsibility for my well-being. Thanks for making me laugh...
Posted by stjames on June 16, 2001, at 1:33:31
In reply to ENOUGH ABOUT DRUGS - WHAT ABOUT THERAPIES?, posted by cheetah on June 15, 2001, at 18:20:30
Does it piss you off the way they just keep asking how you feel about it?
James here.....
No, this is the POINT of therapy. You missed the point and the answer, I think.
Posted by PuraVida on June 16, 2001, at 1:41:10
In reply to Re: ENOUGH ABOUT DRUGS - WHAT ABOUT THERAPIES?, posted by manowar on June 15, 2001, at 19:35:24
I agree with Manowar - Burns is great.
My view:
1) In many people, like myself, meds are necessary to clear out all of the cobwebs so that you can think clearly about things. That doesn't mean the meds will make us think happy thoughts rather than sad or angry thoughts, rather the meds allow us to reflect rationally on our thoughts and actions.
2) There is no ONE answer - not meds, exercise, group therapy, yoga, vitamins, etc. Balance IS the key: taking enough initiative to try whatever it takes to get out of the hole without getting down on yourself because you haven't found (because there isn't) a magic cure.
I highly recommend exploring every avenue that there is - what do we have to lose? Especially, the cognitive therapy (Burns) has helped greatly. Not only do I recognize now when MY thoughts are distorted, but I can pinpoint others' thoughts when they are distorted, and that often saves me from a lot of useless agony.
> Hi cheetah,
> I have been down for the most part for the last 15 years.
> I have to say that I understand when people got a bit testy when you slammed them for talking about drug-therapy.
> In my case, for 9 years I was in denial that I had a medical problem. I went to group therapies. Read lots of self-help books, ect...
> Finally, I went to a good pdoc and he made it clear that it was not me- I had a medical problem.
>
> The bad part is that it can be very tempting to just sit around, become a human guinea pig, and wait for the psycho-activating affects of the drugs to take place--which is not so good.
>
> I think balance is the key. Most pdocs say that in their experience a combo of psychiatry and psychology is the best remedy.
>
> Anyway to answer your first question-
> Yes, it does piss me off! One-on-one therapy bores the shit out of me, and it will you after a while too.
> However, I must say it really depends on the therapist. Find one you like.
> What I suggest you do is to go to a bookstore or library and read as much as you can on the different therapies available.
> Dr. Burns has a pretty good book. He deals with cognitive therapy.
> He says that just reading a self-help type book (bibliotherapy) can be just as good as therapy, and a hell of a lot cheaper. No one therapy is the best, it depends on the individual.
> I personally like group type stuff.
> Being in a group gives you a warm fuzzy feeling of being with a bunch of people that you know. Moreover, it is fun. It doesn’t even need to be a textbook ‘therapy session’. I've never been in a depression group before. However, I've gone to various other groups. I think you don't have to be in any certain type group to get benefit. As long as you're with a group of people that have similar interests, you'll get a kick out of it. The best part is all you have to do is pick up the classifieds and find something that interests you, and it is free!
>
> Anyway there are many types of therapy including: Cognitive (change your thoughts or cognitions), Behavior (change your behavior). Right now, that’s all I can think of. But it really doesn’t matter because they are designed to do the same thing, that is
> change the way you perceive the world.
> Ultimately, whatever therapy you choose is used to change your outlook on life, which should benefit your mood. (In theory at least)
>
> But you are right. I do personally think about drugs too much. I need to take more responsibility for my well-being. Thanks for making me laugh...
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 16, 2001, at 7:35:22
In reply to Re: ENOUGH ABOUT DRUGS - WHAT ABOUT THERAPIES?, posted by Phil on June 15, 2001, at 18:35:16
> This should probably be redirected to psycho-social babble
You read my mind! :-)
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010611/msgs/6465.html
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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