Waiting for cbt, struggling to cope with emotions

[Dolphin Lady]

I have been assessed by telephone and have been offered CBT for PTSD which is good, but there is a long wait for treatment, and although I have been made a priority, I still may have to wait 2 months. I am starting to really struggle with emotions and deep sadness and feeling desperate for Therapy to start so I can learn to escape these emotions.
I may be going back to work soon but nothing has changed... I dont want to return with no support in place. I know that I have your support and that really does help so much. Any ideas as to what I can do? I am working on grounding techniques, mindfulness etc... Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you

I feel like going back to work with no tools or strategies will be really damaging to me....

 

[EveHarrington]

I’m doing internal family systems therapy and I’ve found it to be an awesome therapy for managing emotions. There are books that can help you do it on your own. I’ve done so many other therapies including dbt and cbt and neither of them worked nearly as well for managing emotions.

 

[Chem Lady]

I see you’re from Great Britain. I assume you’re waiting for therapy because it’s government run? It can’t be that all the therapists have wait lists. In Canada you just find someone you want to see then book an appointment if they’re taking new patients. If they aren’t you find someone else. Can you try finding someone on your own? Even if they don’t do cbt, some other type of therapy should help in the meantime, no? A “something is better than nothing” kind of outlook?

 

[Teasel]

Hi @Dolphin Lady
I'm finding this book very helpful in reducing problems with overwhelming emotions
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook by Matthew mckay.

Right from the first few pages there are exercises which have helped me cope when I'm upset.

Hope you don't have to wait too long for therapy :-)

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Thank you all for your replies. There are some helpful suggestions here, I may get those books you suggested.
Chem lady, unfortunately, we have to wait for treatment on the NHS. CBT is very popular at the moment and the new IAPT system wants fast brief interventions of about 6 sessions which, for me I think will not be enough but better than nothing. We can go for private treatment but this is very expensive, althogh, this is something I will consider if I have to wait for a long time.

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Finding it tough again today waiting for treatment. Feeling desperate for help and its so frustrating knowing that I will be going back to work soon even though nothing has changed apart from my antidepressants, which are working now after 4 weeks and my mood has come up to a 4 out of 10 which is better that 0 where it was 4 weeks ago....
How did you all cope with the long wait for help?

 

[Fiadh]

Hi @Dolphin Lady the waiting lists are hard, and I'm waiting at the moment. I wish they put the same priority on mental health waiting lists as they do for physical health but that's another issue!
Last time I was waiting I wrote a lot. Wrote things down helped me, I also went on getselfhelp.co.uk: they have a lot of CBT worksheets, information sheets that are really helpful to log your thoughts etc.
All the best

 

[Dolphin Lady]

Hi Iriseen, thank you for your reply. I am googling lots of self help workbooks to try and help myself while I am waiting. I have found a couple by Leeds Community Mental Health trust on coping with emotions/avoidance/anxiety which look good and have printed them off. Also a booklet on self compassion from the Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) which also looks helpful. It is sad like you say that the Government do not put as much money into Mental Health support as they do Physical illness. I am sorry that you are also having to wait....

 

[Sideways]

@Dolphin Lady - you will make it. You really will. It feels like forever, but you’re now counting down to real support. In the meantime? I really like the self-compassion angle for managing emotions. Scheduling some self-care time each day like it’s a form of critical medication can assist with reducing the intensity of any emotions, whether they be sadness or anger or exhaustion... Looking for things they help us get back into the moment, get a bit of relief, a bit of relaxation, a few moments of calm. I struggled for a long time allowing myself to practice self-compassion, but it’s one of those things that can make a massive difference.

Don’t give up. You’re not alone, and you’re going to make it:)