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Originally Posted by seoultous
I think CBT works well for acute mental illness but not necessarily for chronic, severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. I believe this is especially true when one is symptomatic. When getting out of bed is a challenge nobody is going to get me to do my CBT homework.
That said, when I have been stable and able to concentrate on the exercises found in one of my books (yes, I have 3) I have found CBT helpful. It builds skills that I can draw upon when I am having an episode. While it may not prevent the episode, it makes going through it more manageable for me.
Good luck on your CBT journey.
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That's been my experience. It isn't going to "cure" serious mental illness, and it definitely isn't going to work in the midst of a serious episode of depression, etc. However, I found working on developing those skills during those times I was more stable ended up helping me cope in healthier and more effective ways down the road so that eventually episodes of depression/hypomania, etc. became less disruptive to my life. I don't see it AT ALL as a short term therapy, particularly if being used to work on serious mental illness, but long-term I found the CBT skills I learned to be the absolute most useful skills I have taken out of therapy with me. I use them as a matter of habit now and it has completely transformed my confidence, lowered my anxiety, lessened the depression, etc. Took a LONG time to get to that point though; anyone who says it is quick and easy doesn't really know what they are talking about.