Thread: CBT Workbook
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Old Mar 14, 2016, 03:42 PM
Anonymous50005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seoultous View Post
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.
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.
Thanks for this!
Aracnae, pbutton