[Lavoco]

I have been on meds and in and out of therapy for ten years, I'm 28 and I have yet to understand these magical 'tools' everyone talks about. Do they seriously mean deep breathing and distration? I do that already!

((((Lavoco))))

I've only been with my T for 8 months or so, but this is the most successful 8 months in all my years of therapy.

First the proper Dx was/is crucial. It's like a little lightbulb goes off over your head and you can breathe again and you think, "Ooooo, that's what it is." and "No wonder I've..." And there is an understanding in it. And acceptance.

And with that acceptance and understanding comes the desire (at least for me) to find ways to deal with all the issues what you are actually in T for.

So you work together to find ways to "cope". And those coping mechanisms are "tools".

"Tools" for me have been varied. And I think they are different for everyone.

For me, they are the little affirmations, mental flashcards, to brainiac instruction manuals on how to cope (cope = so I do not fall deep down back into that pit again).

However, if I DO fall down into the pit (which I just suddenly and surprisingly did just recently), I have new ways from therapy -that I never had before or even knew about or considered - (my tools), to get myself back on track and feeling better.

I also learned that the timeframe is unknown, but it's quicker than before I had the "tools", and it isn't for as long. I bounce back quicker with my "tools".

I hope this is a little helpful

[Wants2Fly]

Hi Lavoco --

I like what Rose said. I especially agree with having the right medication. It was hard to find the right one for my body chemistry.

It does not take away the ups and downs of life, but I also feel better able to cope, more philosophical, better able to look to religion and people for support.

I look back on my younger years when medications like those we have now were not available.

I hope you will find a mix of tools -- be they meditation, prayer, talking with supportive people, affirmations, exercise to release endorphins, creative activities, being involved in a group or something else entirely -- that works for you.

[Perna]

Therapy is itself a tool, like taking a class might help you learn skills needed to work at a particular career. However, the class might help toward a bunch of different careers, it depends on how you use it for what you want it for.

Yes, deep breathing and distraction are great tools. If you are anxiety prone, deep breathing can help calm. Distraction is great for any kind of mental/emotional pain. Going and doing something so you do not get stuck in self-defeating thinking cycles can allow time to pass so moods and bad feelings can too.

There are a great many more subtle, "advanced" tools too, that one can use with one's particular problems but which may be hard to master until one get to know one's self better. I was in therapy with the same therapist for 9 years at a stretch; in my experience, it can take 3-5 years of consistent, hard work with a single therapist to get to the level where one's specialized advanced tools make sense and can be learned.