Cbt

[Silver.]

So I came across this article:
http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/84292/150063/5-behavioral-work/

It had me thinking about CBT. I have had several therapists try this for me. It doesn't work for me because for the most part, I am a pretty positive person. The scenarios don't resonate with me, because I don't tend think in that way.

Anyhoo, what are your negative experiences with CBT? I am curious why it might not have worked for you, or made things worse?

side note:
(I also found the studies at the bottom interesting. But, I also don't take a single study too seriously, I guess I am trying to say, just because there was a study done by x,y, or z, I don't take it to be fact and apply it across the board)

 

[The Albatross]

Silver, CBT isn't really about being a positive person. It is about thinking patterns both habitual and behavioral and it's success is that the practice can rewire/reconnect the brain (by practice, persistence, perseverance, and awareness/diligence) to enable a more balanced perception point and perhaps ease stressors and open up the brain to more perceptual choices.

I do not have any negative experiences though (your question) with CBT.

 

[Silver.]

I guess I didn't word myself properly (which is usually the case lol)
When one looks through the models of thought process that CBT would be beneficial for, I don't think like the Cognitive Distortions that are practiced in CBT.
(in the overall sense, sometimes perhaps, but more often than not, no). Running through scenarios etc is confusing to me because I don't think that way. I cannot relate.
If that makes sense?

 

[The Albatross]

Not thinking like the models (before learning to do CBT) is actually sort of the point. Don't let the examples and your inability to identify with them dissuade you? What are your specific issues with doing the activities as a self exploration even if you don't "relate" for example.

Learning/relearning how to think differently is sort of the point.

 

[The Albatross]

Doubling back to say, that in recovery.... I did not look to models that "supported" the way I already thought or related to.... I looked for ways to improve the quality of my life and endeavored to take them for a ride and test drive them. Accepting some and discarding others. The caveat being, that I would commit and honestly endeavor to try them for a conscious SMART goal period and then would evaluate rather than default to "contempt prior to investigation".

 

[The Albatross]

Link Removed (Anthony/CBT)

 

[Silver.]

I guess I still am explaining myself poorly

I don't think in a negative manner.
In the models, for example: a person gets fired, or didn't get a promotion and thinks they are worthless, or life isn't fair...
or making mountains out of molehills, or assuming I know how another person thinks or feels, etc
(really do not want to go through and explain each distortion)

I don't think that way, I don't run to these scenarios in my thinking. If something shitty happens, or unexpected, or whatever...
I look over the situation, and then find a solution or I try to find a positive to it.
Even last night, the douche called last minute to cancel visitation, yes I had plans, it was a special day for me, but I read the text, and then found the positives in this.

if I thought in the manner that CBT treats, I might have run to the scenarios, but I don't think in the negative ways in which that CBT would help to change

I guess I can't explain it more clearly than this

 

[The Albatross]

I think Silver you do yourself (putting myself out there in a big way) a disservice when you distill CBT and boil it down to either positive or negative. Perhaps that is where your perceptual thinking pattern is. Rationally however, there are any number of other perceptions available. I know at one point that was very true for me and my own thinking.

How I overcame was learning to open myself to other perceptions and I did them as an "educational goal/activity" and conscribed them to learning... like learning something I wasn't really interested in. Then on completion of the goal activity, I evaluated. But obviously you're fishing for negative CBT experiences as evidenced by your opening post question so I withdraw.

CBT not withstanding... what is it you want to achieve for yourself and what do you need to do to get there?

 

[shimmerz]

CBT didn't work at all for me. Mainly because I was still in danger and I recognized the fact that they were trying to change the way I thought about my situation. Which would have been deadly for me at the time.

Having said that, I am now (10 years later), working with a CBT guy and he is helping me. Because my thought patterns are stuck in 'I need to protect myself' still and lots of trauma experiences in the past have changed the way I think. If I am going to reintegrate then I recognize that I need to put that behind me and think in a way that is more conducive to a 'normal' life.

Having said that, again, I am currently working with another traumaesq issue that is having me focus on a very real issue for me that comes up in the cold weather and I am not so certain that he will be the one that will be able to help me through it.

What I have noticed about CBT is that it is all about 'everything is okay as long as your thinking is that it is all okay'. Having suffered through severe trauma and the traumatizing situations that come up just by nature of having PTSD, I think there are layers to go through before one should be innundated with 'Everything is Great' speak.

 

[Silver.]

@shimmerz
that is interesting, I would not have thought of CBT not being beneficial in that aspect, and it makes sense as to why it wouldn't have worked for you in that time
I am glad that now that the immediate danger is gone, that it is working for you, in some areas
thank you x

 

[The Albatross]

Ugh. CBT is about expansiveness and allowing other perceptions than black and white thinking. If my own best thinking was f'd up (and it was) and not getting me the day to day peace/calm/contentment or objectivity I wanted/needed/desired I endeavored to do something "entirely different" to open myself up to a different thinking style.

K that is all.

 

[shimmerz]

allowing other perceptions than black and white thinking

Yeah, no I get this. And it is true. I just think that it is super important for the CBT therapist to have a really good grip on the reality of the situation of the client. I got a ton of 'nope, that isn't happening'. Which it was. And it was dangerous.

Sorry I didn't actually mean to pull you back by quoting you, but thought I needed to be specific as to what I was responding to.