CBT!

[bookletters]

So I was feeling so worried and agitated today I nearly cancelled my CBT session. Now I am SO glad I went as it's helped me a lot.
Therapist said with change of medication I was to expect to feel down and have adverse effects and she's given me some techniques to deal with the nasty thoughts when they occur.
She said she's worked in psychiatric wards and from what she's seen of me when I was a lot better etc she said she honestly thinks I am not bipolar, just the meds change are going to make me feel low until venlafaxin kicks in.
Pfew I am so glad I went, I was worried I wasn't going to cope and actually it helped lots.

[mat]

I am so glad that your mind is at ease and you are feeling better

[bookletters]

Thank you Mat!
Have you make sure I don't let the negative thoughts spiral out of control!

[mat]

Well it's so easy to let things like that to go out of control , your mind goes into overdrive.

[bookletters]

When I got to CBT, my thoughts were making me feel so crap I had prepared to say to her "listen, am in no state for this today, think I need to go home and go to bed and see a psychiatrist". Then we she arrived and asked how I was I said "I am feeling really worried and scared, I don't know what the matter is".... and then I explained.... and 30 minutes into the session I was feeling so much better it's like a weight had lifted off my shoulder and I had my energy back because I didn't have to obsess over and over my negative thoughts.
It's helped me massively and now I've just had a lovely meal with hubby, went to the supermarket earlier and compared to the state I was in earlier that's making me feel better.
Tomorrow may be tough again but tonight's not too bad pfew!

[vwone]

Hi I am glad you had a good session at your CBT, do you think it was just talking about how you felt that helped or the techniques they used? I tend to find whenever I talk to my counseller I am better but once I leave the negative thoughts flood back.

[bookletters]

Hi,
No it was the techniques she used that really helped me. Mostly thought challenging, "court case" exercises and behavioural activation.
I am using it now as I slept well but can see the negative thoughts are trying to make an appearance again!!

[Catbrian]

Hey Book

That's really great news about the CBT.... so pleased you found the energy and courage to get there. How often do you meet?

[bookletters]

I go once a week Catb. I was convinced it was going to do no good at all and I am so glad I went. It's helped me massively.
Most of the worksheets you can get for free on http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/
What's helping me mostly is realize how my negative thoughts make me scared and worried which in turn makes me think more negative thoughts which make me totally panic....
Therapist has taught me how to put negative thoughts into categories so instead of thinking "Last week I was so much better OMG what is wrong with me" I think "oh, another "compare and despair" thought. And then I write my thought down and do some thought challenging exercises (when did this automatic thought occur? What was the emotion linked to it? what evidence have you got that this thought is rational and real? What other ways are there to help you look at this differently?).
This really helps me "ignore" the negative thoughts so I don't end up in a state about them. Earlier in the car, I caught myself thinking "dear me, you're getting bombarded by catastrophic thoughts and compare and despair tonight!" and that helped me not "listen" to the thoughts but sort of watch them from an external point of view if that makes sense.

[Catbrian]

It does make sense, Book, and very interesting indeed.  I can see you responding positively to this kind of therapy.  I really wish you all the best.

Time for an early night.  Nightie night

[bookletters]

Thanks Cat :)