Today, I was at my GP to attend my rescheduled appointment. There is always a small window for future appointments and normally afternoon, which is annoying when trying to organise kids collection from school, then keeping them entertained when the surgery is busy.
Normally, it is full of people in all shapes and ages but with a few ‘smellies’ who seem to camp there and don’t take personal hygiene seriously. I don’t like taking the kids as a result, so when it was rearranged for this morning, it suited so much better. And no hygienically challenged people either – result!
This is my monthly visit and review on medication. I’ve been on this particular med for 18 months now and although there was an initial hit, it’s not stopped me from burning out and breaking a second time.
After a few months of recuperation, I still feel that I’ve not made the progress I really can or should be making, so we talked on how we could kick things up somewhat. The answer we came up with is to reduce the meds, as I’ve been on them sometime, with a view to removing completely.
We also discussed CBT from a local charity that are aligned with mental health in this area, providing the front line care for the NHS and it is self referring, while working with the GP. I am still to find out what they do completely and CBT program is being recommended, so I will give it a go, despite some initial resistance from me on this. I have to find an alternative to what I’m doing to make better progress.
A friend contacted me recently and recommended something called the Lightning Process and I will also be looking at this as it worked for his partner very well. Something I really need to do is get the right program to move me along to better health and stick with it.
Anyone else have a similar experience and can give any input on what works for them? Would be great to hear your story to see if I and others can learn from your own experience.
It’s a journey and one that has no destination, so I’m on it for the duration. This means I have to learn to manage this illness more effectively and travel in more comfort and style, something I have not been good at doing.
Time to take the initiative back.
I look forward to hearing your stories of recovery.
Be kind to yourself.
Amused & Bemused 
I was recommended for CBT also … tried it but didn’t really work for what I needed as it dealt with “a” specific issue and looked at how to deal with that … my brain was so mixed up that there was no particular issue that I needed help with, it was everything. If you can focus on something specific and use that example to learn the techniques from it may help, although I feel that you have probably done the equivalent techniques in a different form already, I really want to be positive but I haven’t found anything that “sorts” things. Art therapy and Mindfulness are good but these help calm and slow the mind rather than being the “cure” that we all long for. Hope it works for you Richard, everything is worth trying … Best of Luck xxx
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Thanks, Laurelle.
That’s good advice.
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The best therapy I’ve ever had through the NHS was a peer supporter led WRAP group (welness recovery action plan). I personally never found CBT that helpful but you maybe different. I also haven’t heard of the Lightning Therapy, will have to look that one up.
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Thanks, PurpleOwl.
Not sure about CBT but willing to give it a go. From what I hear, it’s great with specifics but when you have general issues, then what do you do?
Mindfulness helps for me and I probably need to get to a led session.
Never heard of WRAP, so one for me to look out for.
Thanks for sharing your experience with me. Really appreciated.
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CBT can be very effective. At its most basic it’s about recognising and stopping automatic negative thoughts. It challenges your negative patterns of thoughts. There’s been lots of ‘new’ therapies over the years but stripped back they largely take from CBT.
The NHS likes it because it is easier to evidence outcomes than other therapy types and is relatively cheap to deliver.
I’ve been a recipient and provider of CBT for a decade. It works well. It may not cure someone’s depression or anxiety but it’s an excellent tool for self management given the almost universal dimensions of negative thinking patterns that depression creates.
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I’m also a fan of Wrap and it’s a good exercise to undertake and share with those close to you. Another part of the tool box.
http://mentalhealthrecovery.com/wrap-is/
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Great!
Thanks, brawburd.
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In terms of CBT and related therapies my experience, personally and professionally, is that you need to be at a certain level to be able to start using them. You need to be able to understand and practice the principles. A degree of energy and concentration are required. For some people this is helped by medication.
A good deal of research points to the combination of an anti-depressant and a talking therapy like CBT to provide the best outcome in moderate depression.
With a bit of work the principles of CBT become more automatic and you find yourself drawing upon them, especially when the dreaded ruminating starts.
The five areas approach is the whole thing in a nutshell:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/treatmentswellbeing/cbt/5areas.aspx?theme=mobile
I’d suggest Googling Chris Williams, his Living Life to the Full (LLTTF) website and 5 areas approach if you have the energy and want some background. Though more than that I’d recommend getting on with the CBT the GP will refer you too. You really have nought to lose and all to gain 🙂 x
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