Cognitive therapy

[xnn]

Hi all!

Today I talked to my social worker about social phobia. It's the first time ever I talk to someone about this.
As expected it was hard for me to open to her. She was very nice and understanding, and told me that I shouldnt feel this way. She also told me that I could tell her anything. and shouldnt feel embarrassed.
But I find it hard to talk anyway so I will go quiet for many minutes, look down on the floor and my mind goes all blank. Sometimes she ask me what I'm thinking, but my mind is all blank and I can't think of anything to say. I feel so embarrassed when this happen. Do you people experience this? I feel like an idiot, I sit there and can't talk.
Anyway she talked about cognitive therapy. I told her that I want to get help for this, so she's gonna check this further.
Has anyone of you people try cognitive therapy, and how did it work out for you?

 

[Hairyhands]

Am currently undergoing CBT at the moment and it's going very well for me. You have an initial assessment to see if it will be suitable for you and answer all your questions. The therapy itself involves a lot of reading and recording in 'thought diaries' that are discussed in sessions. Am currently in a section called 'situational exposure' where I set tasks for myself and employ the calming and control methods they've taught me. Like most things you get out what you put into it. Weeks ago I was terrified and staring at a point on the ground 3 ft in front of me with hood up and headphones on full blast now my head is up and don't feel so threatened. Hope it works out for you

 

[ScaredToBreathe]

I get this too, where I just cannot talk and look blank. I feel so stupid when that happens and like I am wasting the other person's time, not doing anything right.
I want to try CBT too but I doubt it will work. I can kind of make myself talk in certain situations by "acting" but not being myself- like customers at work--"how are you today? what can I help you with?" and then respond to the things they say. Feels like a scripted conversation rather than talking for the sake of it.
So I don't know if therapy talking to people would help because I'd try to "act" what I think I should say, and just can't be my real self. But I guess it's worth a try!
I am on 90mg Cymbalta (an SNRI) to counteract anxiety and after a few months of taking it I find I am still anxious but more talkative, I don't get as embarrassed or quiet when talking, and sometimes I actually speak before I think (not always a good thing)instead of thinking and repressing what I wanted to say. That was after trying multiple meds that did nothing for me. Have you tried or asked about any meds that may help?

Let us know if cognitive therapy ends up going well for you if you try it, and good luck!!

 

[Kiwong]

It isn't a technique I find helpful. I find I can't replace a negative thought with a positive one if my hearts not in it, if I don't believe the positive thought.

What I find more useful is turning my thoughts off for a minute through practising mindfulness.

Rather than positive or negative thinking I reckon it is useful to try for neutral thinking. Or just bloody well stop thinking for a moment or two.