Exposure Therapy

VeryHopeful

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2010

Posts : 23

Posted 4/26/2011 4:45 AM (GMT 0)

I have been working very hard this past month with exposure therapy bc I still couldn't get to a therapist to do cbt.
I have done very well I was able to visit with my family for Easter!!!!! and today I went to my friends house for the first time since October when this all started !!!!
I was able to go through drive thru's this week and also able to go to the beach and enjoy the nice weather.
There is still alot to work on like more crowded stores and more crowded roads being able to plan things without panicking.
also I am pretty much ready to start going to a therapist that does cbt
Has anyone had any experiences with cbt? I have never gone through this before just wondering if it helped

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 4/26/2011 4:57 AM (GMT 0)

Congratulations V.H.! Those are huge accomplishments! I am so impressed with your iniative and commitment to getting better. You have come a long way already, and sound as if you are still ready to move forward:)

Yes, CBT will be a great experience for you. It is highly effective, and along with the work that you are already doing, will open up doors and give you tools to face the things that you need and want to.

Be ready to work hard and give it time though, It does take an average of ten or more sessions to see improvement, and there will most likely be 'homework'. It is so well worth it however, and you will be a success, seeing as how much you have already done on your own:)

Good luck and let us know how it is going soon,
Scaredy Cat

VeryHopeful

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2010

Posts : 23

Posted 4/26/2011 5:12 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks scaredy cat I am ready for hard work!
Everything I have done so far I have done just bc I thought it was the right thing to do. So I am ready for someone to tell me what to do. I am a little nervous bc I am sure it will involve a panic attack when I am not home to help me get better and thats what I am the most scared of.
But I just have to get the peace of mind back and the logic that everything is going to be ok panic attacks are not the end of the world.

stkitt

Elite Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 32602

Posted 4/26/2011 2:01 PM (GMT 0)

VeryHopeful,

Wow, awesome, congratulations and pat yourself on the back. Make a list of all your accomplishments and keep on taking one step at a time. You will get back the peaceful feeling.

Do the small things that make you feel peaceful. Drive to a park and just sit in the sunshine. Feel proud of yourself. Know we are here for you to talk with.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

resolve

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2011

Posts : 54

Posted 4/26/2011 7:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hi VeryHopeful

I'm doing CBT a while now and it's definitely worthwhile. Lots of homework and writing getting all the distorted thinking down on paper.

Exposure can be daunting but gradual exposure is recommended. I'd recommend the book ' Feeling Good, The new mood therapy by David Burns...i keep re-reading it.

You'll read and learn all about;

all or nothing thinking
over-generalisation
mental filter
disqualifying the positive
jumping to conclusions
magnification
emotional reasoning
should statements
labelling & mis-labelling
personalisation

I was amazed to learn that we create new pathways in our brain when we replace negative thinking and behaviour.

Sound like you're already making huge progress & i wish you every success in CBT :)

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