Therapy, which will work??

[downincornwall]

Hi Guys,

Long term depressed here, been on/off meds for probably last decade. (thinking of changing this week due to side effects)
Anyway I am thinking of giving therapy another go. In the past I have tried:
CBT - Was ok but as I was so low with depression I found it difficult to follow through when not in the session
Hypnotherapy - Again seemed ok, but never felt like I was in a 'trance' state nor felt any benefits. Perhaps it was the person doing it rather than the therapy itself
Therapist - Felt uncomfortable here
I am not made of money and whilst a GP referral may be an option it will be a long waiting list and not every option will be available to me.
So, what have been had success with?
I am very depressed, low mood, dont want to get out of bed, avoid people if I can at all times, no motivation, when I am up I am tired and my appetite is all over the place.
Happy for all suggestions/stories please
Matt

[Sweetpea]

Hi Matt, I personally found MIND to be the best.  I did try private counselling, but this did not work for me, there are different styles of counselling.  I did my second lot of counseling sessions with MIND, the counsellor was lovely, very understanding, she made me understand why I am like I am, rather than trying to change me.  I also have done an anxiety course and self assertiveness course with them.

S x x x x

[Catbrian]

Hey Matt... as Shaz says, there are many different styles of therapy and just as many therapists with their own individual approach.  When you're buying privately, you need to be careful who you get.  MIND is probably your best option, if they cannot offer anything, they will probably have good recommendations

I've been through at least 4-5 different therapists.  Each one of them did count towards a certain amount of recovery, but I don't see any one as being a "cure".  Every time I've gone through therapy, I've been able to look at another part of my past that is causing me problems today.  It can be a long road. 

Doing some courses, like Shaz, is a great way of regaining some control.  I hope you'll also find the Forum helpful

[downincornwall]

This is the first time I have hard of MIND, I think i shall hunt them out and make contact.
Thanks guys!!

[Sweetpea]

Just put MIND into your search engine and you can find your nearest center.

S x x x x

[stewart]

Hi Matt, I would also recomend MIND, i have been seeing them for a long time now and have a great support worker

[Pip]

MIND are good although I haven't seen them for me personally but with my other half had a support worker he was helpful.  I would meet up with them if they were out and about / having coffee sometimes.

'Conventional' therapy hasn't helped me on the couple of times I've tried.  The first time didn't help as I was in denial and felt pushed into it by my mum.  She was told that I was perfectly fine and didn't need it.  Of course she didn't realize that she was part of the problem and I had become an expert at hiding my feelings.  The second time I asked for counselling didn't really help as the counsellor honestly admitted she really didn't know how to help me.  It's what I call passive counselling whereas I needed to be pushed.  I actually got more help from an online forums which not only helped with the severe depression I was going through it also helped me get to the root course of it.  Those people will never know how much they helped me and helped save my life.

[captainkeefy]

I've just started with the personality disorder provision of my local MIND, if you like I'll keep you informed as to how it goes.

[Catbrian]

It certainly sounds like MIND moves a lot faster than the NHS

This is the link to the MIND website, you should be able to find the nearest service to you  http://www.mind.org.uk/

The telephone number to MIND's National Info Line is 0300 123 3393