Therapy makes no difference?

[nicknamehere]

I can honestly say I've never felt any better by seeing a professionalist. Infact, after the session I feel more worse because with all the things I say, it makes me really uncomfortable and proves more I really am twisted in the head.
I've seen 4-5 great people, but for myself, I haven't had any benefits that's come out - just more hopeless.
Makes sense doesn't it? ::
I hear many success stories and generally alot of people easing SA from seeing specialists, but to me it's the opposite effect.
I guess talking about your problems can have the oppostie effect for others as theraoy isn't for everyone?

 

[Noca]

Sitting there talking about your problems isnt going to help many. Doing intensive CBT exposure therapy DOES help and makes permanent results. Its just time consuming and anxiety provoking. I've improved my own SA but still need more work. I've got lots of illnesses so its hard to spend much time on any one of them.

 

[Shift]

I don't feel like my therapy is helping me much either... I'm always okay when I'm with my therapist, but my daily life hasn't changed much. I still feel the same and have the same problems. But I'm still sticking with it because I think I just need more time for things to change and get better.

 

[Liberty]

I think it depends on what type of therapist you see and what their specialty is. I saw a CBT therapist who specialized in anxiety/phobias/fears. I came away with a determination to focus on positive things and some methods to tackle anxiety.

Didn't cure me or anything but it did help. I think the problem is that no matter how much I combat the anxiety the real core issue is the belief about myself and that has not changed.

 

[Iseesky]

If you feel anxious around the therapist...No. It's not going to help anything!

If you feel comfortable talking with them, then I'm sure it would help. Even just a small bit.

 

[PapaSmurf]

DO you say what you have to say and open yourself up to therapists?

It can make all the difference.


" It works if you work it, so work it" -some famous person...

 

[SnowWolf]

They say as long as you're determined and practice all the time then CBT is almost certainly going to help. When I went through it in a social phobia group it was really really hard though, not so much because of what we actually had to do, more that the other people in the group talked together so naturally and had friends/jobs/relationships, while I just sat there freaking out, jealous of their lives, and hardly talking. Made me feel I'm even more screwed up than I thought if these people really have social phobia too... it was kinda demoralising.

 

[LadyWench]

I think it all depends on the therapist and what kind of therapy you're doing. Obviously if the entire session is nothing but you talking about your problems and how they make you feel, that isn't going to help much. It isn't going to fix or cure you. Your therapist has to listen and offer advice and council. Spending the whole time crying and getting upset just won't get you anywhere. Maybe you haven't found the right therapist for you yet? Sometimes it can take ages.

I have a really good counselor, but I'm not really fixed. I don't know if I ever will be. I'm taking medication and it has helped greatly. It's nice talking to my counselor. I know she genuinely cares about me and she's a smart woman. She knows what she's doing. However, I could have better and I think she could offer more. I'll probably never know, though. I'm satisfied with her, but I think the only thing at this point that is truly going to help me, is medication. And that really saddens me because I don't want to depend on it...especially for the rest of my life. Ah well, that's what happens when you're crazy and poor and can't afford REAL therapeutic treatment.

 

[Lorraine Manca]

I think it can be bad for you, if you have any doubts you ought to change to a different therapist until you dont. Somebody's good intentions doesnt always add up to good therapy. It never made me feel any better either. One i went to said, "can't you just have hope?" if i could have that, id not be there!!
one part of sylvia plath's bell jar is hilarious, Esther is taken for her first shock treatment, afterwards she tells her mom she never wants to go back. the mom tears up and goes, "oh i just knew you'd decide to be well again" or some variation of that. now a days they just talk you to death until you give up on seeking help.
im sorry to be so negative and pessimistic, but maybe it was like that for some of you guys too. im sure some people can be helped, but others can only help themselves on their own

 

[SnowWolf]

I don't think traditional therapy can do much good for us no - apart from maybe having at least one person to confide in and let it all out. If it's CBT however it's all about challenging your thoughts through a lot of exercises, activities, and exposure. You're expected to practice it a lot outside of your actual sessions too. The things you'll have to do probably scare you to death but I think that's the only way you could see real improvement.