Do you think therapy or medication helped you at all? What do you think are the limits of therapy based on your own experiences?
Years ago I always had this stigma that if you went on antidepressants, you were stuck on them for life. I believed they turned you into a zombie and there was no way back. Last January I had to go on them because I'd just hit an all time low, and I think they have really changed things BUT i do think that therapy is key too. So combined, I think they offer the best cure for depression and anxiety. Antidepressants have helped me to calm down and keep my mind stable while therapy has helped me work out my problems and the overwhelming feeling when I was diagnosed with depression.
- As for the limits of therapy, it depends on the therapist and how far you're willing to trust them and really get to grips with your problems. You have to open to explore all corners.
Do you believe that it is correct to label depression and anxiety as illnesses which need curing?
It is correct because depression and anxiety are illnesses and I only wish that this could be recognised by my more people. Just like a cold needs a cure, so does a mental illness. It's just the cures are different.
Do you sometimes feel as though you are being judged when you see a therapist?
With the therapist I have now, I don't feel like I'm being judged at all. It really depends on who you see. I have seen 4 (5?) counsellors/therapists now and I find that only one of them really judged me.
Do you think that therapy or lifestyle/relationship/personal situation changes are required for someone suffering distress to improve?
In my opinion therapy is key to getting better but having said that, I think lifestyle changes are needed, ie if you're using drugs, then these need to be stopped in order to get better. Exercise also helps, as does a good diet, and getting away from bad relationships. So I think therapy can often point these factors out if the person can't see them for themselves.
Why do you think people often feel ashamed or guilty about having depression or anxiety?
Sadly I think there still is a stigma attached to depression. 30, even 20 years ago, people couldn't talk about depression or anxiety without being seen as mad. While I think this is changing, and I'm glad that it is, I still think it's hard for people to talk about suffering from these problems because they can't be seen and they're all internal. I think people feel guilty for having depression because they feel guilty for being sad about nothing, but they just simply can't explain what this nothing is and feel that they'll be judged by others.
Do the positive effects of therapy last outside of the consulting room or once the course of treatment was over?
I've not finished with therapy yet, although I haven't seen my therapist for a few months since he's off ill, but I do think that once you let it in, therapy can help outside the clinic. It's not the same as being in the room, because once outside you're on your own, but after a few times I found it easier to try techniques and subconsciously, my conversations with the therapist have helped me to relax anyway.
Who should decide what the outcome of therapy should be? (You or the therapist?)
I think it's important that the patient decides what the outcome is, and this should be laid out clearly from the start. A bit of advice/encouragement from the therapist doesn't hurt either but ultimately it's the patient wishes that are most important.
How important are relationships in both maintaining and relieving your symptoms of distress? (This includes the relationship with your therapist)
The patient needs to have close relationships both inside and outside of the therapy room. They need someone who they can rely on outside, whether this is a family member, a friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, wife, or even someone on this forum or a Samaritans counsellor. Anyone who can be there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The relationship with the therapist is also important because if you don't trust them then you're going to find it harder to open up.
How much does will-power and motivation play a part in recovery? Does therapy help or hinder this?
I think this is where medication is important, as it gives you the stability to find will-power. In order to recover, I think you have to have motivation and often therapy can give you this.
Why do you think therapy doesn’t work for some people?
I know sadly that therapy doesn't work for everyone, and this is probably because they just don't click with the therapist, just like some people don't click with others. Every therapy session/ course is going to be a good one, and it takes time to find the right therapist. This is why I don't think therapy works for everyone, but I think if you work with someone patient, understanding and that you can learn to trust you can learn to overcome your problems.
