[Serotonin]

When I was suffering from clinical depression the psychiatrist recommended a dual strategy of drug treatment and psychotherapy. I was on pharmaceutical anti-depressants (Seroxat Paroxetine) for over a year and became addicted to them, and despite it saying "non-habit forming" on the pack. It took me a long time to get completely off them.

The psychotherapy sessions usually consisted of me sitting there rambling about the problems in my past, and how I felt at present. The Psychologist sat there and provided very little feedback, positive or otherwise, and I usually came away feeling worse than when I went in, as talking about my problems and negative stuff just seemed to exacerbate my depression.

I have no doubt that psychotherapy works for a lot of people, but like me, are you one of those people who failed to achieve a positive result from months of spilling your heart out to an indifferent mental health professional whose task is to listen, but also to detach themselves from you and your problems, so as not to be affected by them?

[stopdog]

I am a massive failure at therapy. And the one I see does talk. For all I know she may even be trying to connect. She does not try to explain which I would prefer more.

[critterlady]

It sounds like you never made a real connection with your therapist. For most people and most therapeutic treatment modalities, that connection is important to how successful the therapy is.

Can you try someone else?

[CantExplain]

Therapy has made my life much better.
I am cured of my anger and depression and I am probably saner than the average bear.

[struggling2]

it's helped me alot. it took awhile (6-8mos) for me to relax and open up but T is very patient and we connect well...i think that is the key. the connection with the therapist. it has forced me to open up and talk and look at and acknowledge my emotions and feelings and areas that desperately need some help. i trust and respect T and know that he's in my corner. i cant imagine where i would be right now without his help.

Absolutely has helped me. I'm so much calmer, can stand up to my parents and also am becoming better at not letting their vitriol get to me, am a more positive person, am more fun for me and others to be around, and am sooo much better in relationships. Also, I learned about what it feels like to receive almost unconditional support and love (i.e., within the boundaries of the therapy relationship) thanks to my current T. My last T, however, hurt me terribly and I'm still getting over this almost 2 years later. So as struggling said, the T relationship is huge in growth. I wish a good one for you!

p.s. I was diagnosed with depression at age 18 (now 36), sure that I had it for longer and have been on every med (was later diagnosed w/ bipolar depressive type at age 21). Drugs have helped some, but until I learned to modify my behaviors and thought processes and got concrete help during the deep depressions, I didn't start getting really better and feeling like I was "normal."

I tried every antidepressant on the market about ten years ago. NOTHING helped, so then the psychiatrist started trying medications in combination. Still no relief, and then I gave up and just thought that was how I was going to feel for the rest of my life. It was only after starting therapy and addressing my faulty thought processes that I started to feel any better at all.

[sconnie892]

I agree with everyone who's said that connection with t is vital. If I hadn't connected with my t, I don't think I would have stayed. I have the anxiety much more under control and now we're working on other issues. It's not always fun and sometimes I feel like I am going backwards, but t was very clear it that would happen. It's part of the progress.

[-jimi-]

Not me. I had a nice time talking to the counselor at church and same with my life skills therapist. It is because both are respectful, kind and intelligent and put their egos last.

Else than that I have only been harmed by "therapy", to the point I actually have emotional trauma from it.

Not. For. Me.

[Serotonin]

I think I connected with my therapist on a superficial level, but I find it difficult to connect with people on a deeper level who come across as if they were simply going through the motions with another patient, which let's face it, is exactly what they are doing.

I'm glad that many of you have had a satisfactory psychotherapy experience, but I have found that a meaningful conversation with someone you know, like a friend or family member can be just as if not more therapeutic than sharing your life story with someone who is being paid to sit patiently and listen to your problems.

In the end I gave up and embarked upon a process of DIY treatment, which included a psychotherapy of talking to myself. I've had some very long and deep conversations with myself, and have got to the bottom of a lot of issues. I'm a great simultaneous patient/talker and psychotherapist/listener, and have given myself all of the attention that I need and deserve.

[rainboots87]

Originally Posted by critterlady

It sounds like you never made a real connection with your therapist. For most people and most therapeutic treatment modalities, that connection is important to how successful the therapy is.

Can you try someone else?

I absolutely agree. Therapy has made a huge difference in my life. I've recovered from an eating disorder and made many gains in living my life more effectively, dealing with anxiety & depression, and am working on my core beliefs. However, as someone who's seen somewhere between 5 and 10 therapists, the ones I remember are the ones I had a strong connection with. The others didn't make much of a difference or much of an impression and I didn't feel the need to continue with any of those. When I first met my current T through a group setting, I knew very quickly that it would be an good fit. And a year and half later, I'm still working with her and making tons of progress.

[Serotonin]

Originally Posted by rainboots87

I absolutely agree. Therapy has made a huge difference in my life. I've recovered from an eating disorder and made many gains in living my life more effectively, dealing with anxiety & depression, and am working on my core beliefs. However, as someone who's seen somewhere between 5 and 10 therapists, the ones I remember are the ones I had a strong connection with. The others didn't make much of a difference or much of an impression and I didn't feel the need to continue with any of those. When I first met my current T through a group setting, I knew very quickly that it would be an good fit. And a year and half later, I'm still working with her and making tons of progress.

I think the personality of the therapist is very important. If you meet someone you like and feel that you can get along with, that makes all the diference. But not everyone "clicks" with their therapist, and finding one that you feel is genuine, sincere, and perhaps similar to yourself can be an arduous task, and sometimes take a very long time.

With my 1st therapist, I kept doing worse and worse. With my new T though, things keep getting better and better.

[growlycat]

I once had a silent, indifferent T and this style I found to be more harmful than helpful. However, I can say the opposite about my current T in general. He talks more, offering support and even advice when I ask for it. He is warmer and more engaging that old T's.

Medication has been less than a full success--Effexor worked best for depression but I felt drugged in a foggy sense the first few weeks on it. I like Buspar for anxiety. Everything else was kind of "meh" in the results dept.

[KazzaX]

All my therapists have been like the one you described in the original post. Thats how they all are where I live. If there was anything different available out here then I would be shocked.

[ColourBars]

Well for me. I tell them what's going on and I ask questions for feedback like:
- what do you think of this situation?
- how do i get out of this situation?
- what should i do?
and so on. i actively engage / force them to engage with me. i guess XD

but when sometimes im too numb, he really goes for it. i mean, he doesn't just sit there for me.

my t is really great in showing me examples, explanations. so my advice is to always ask questions, squeeze what you want out of therapy but know some days it works, some days it doesnt

[Perna]

Originally Posted by Serotonin

In the end I gave up and embarked upon a process of DIY treatment, which included a psychotherapy of talking to myself.

That worked for me too but helped speed it up that there was someone outside to bounce myself off of occasionally, make it a 3-way. I got along well with myself, it was those tricky outside people that kept tripping me up.

[roads]

Originally Posted by Serotonin

I think I connected with my therapist on a superficial level, but I find it difficult to connect with people on a deeper level who come across as if they were simply going through the motions with another patient, which let's face it, is exactly what they are doing.

I'm glad that many of you have had a satisfactory psychotherapy experience, but I have found that a meaningful conversation with someone you know, like a friend or family member can be just as if not more therapeutic than sharing your life story with someone who is being paid to sit patiently and listen to your problems.

In the end I gave up and embarked upon a process of DIY treatment, which included a psychotherapy of talking to myself. I've had some very long and deep conversations with myself, and have got to the bottom of a lot of issues. I'm a great simultaneous patient/talker and psychotherapist/listener, and have given myself all of the attention that I need and deserve.

None of the extensive therapy I got from age 8 on did me much good that I can tell, especially since I was treated for clinical dpression but I think I was bipolar even then-- I wasn't diagnosed as BP till I was over fifty years older.

But then I went to college and stumbled on some DIY therapy via a philosophy major and one of your signature line authors:
__________________
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."~ Albert Camus
__________________

I devoured his work, and lo! discovered within myself an invincible fall. Also discovered many innate survival skills for winter!! Who knew?

I am convinced that there is a path to recovery for each of us. Since may be very short & relatively quite simple.

What attracted you to that particular line?

Roadie

[Serotonin]

Originally Posted by rainboots87

But then I went to college and stumbled on some DIY therapy via a philosophy major and one of your signature line authors:
__________________
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."~ Albert Camus
__________________

I devoured his work, and lo! discovered within myself an invincible fall. Also discovered many innate survival skills for winter!! Who knew?

I am convinced that there is a path to recovery for each of us. Since may be very short & relatively quite simple.

What attracted you to that particular line?

Roadie

I read Camus's "The Outsider" many years ago, as I've always felt like an outsider, and that line (I just stumbled upon it) seemed both true and beautiful.

I too think that every person has a path to recovery, with some, they don't even know their path is there, as it may be covered in leaves, and with others their lack of daring and imagination restricts them to the conventional route, which let's face it, doesn't work for everyone.

I'm a very independent person, and have always preferred doing things my own way. Sure, doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists can be of great assistance and help provide important pointers on the road to recovery, but at the end of the day, it's your journey, and only you know what's best for you.

We are all our own best therapist. I view those in positions of officialdom as merely mental and physical health assistants. That's a great way of demoting professionals, many of whom are essentially egomaniacs, megalomaniacs, and control freaks, and placing the spotlight back on the important person in the professional-patient relationship ie. you.

If you can be your own best therapist, then you'll make the perfect patient, thus greatly enhancing your prospects of recovery.

It's essentially about believing in yourself, and being curious, imaginative, and innovative on your route back to better mental health, and the internet is a great asset. I've learned a lot about the nature of my illnesses and the treatments available. I discovered St. John's Wort, a herbal treatment for depression on the internet, and it's something I've had a great result with, and have been using periodically for the past 12 years.

[Dreamy01]

I dread to think what would have happened to me if it wasn't for all the therapy I've had. It has saved my life. But a strong connection is important, not just their training or approach, not a desire for a 'cure.' You have to really like the therapist and be prepared to work with them. At least, that is how I've grown.

[Galymia]

I've never found a therapist I could connect to. I eventually gave up trying to find one. My family says I should try harder, but I honestly don't think anything is wrong with me that my meds can't fix.

[Serotonin]

I still talk to myself instead of using a T.

At least I seem to listen, and provide the occasional facial expression.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Serotonin

I still talk to myself instead of using a T.

At least I seem to listen, and provide the occasional facial expression.

Yes, but I think it's unethical because technically you're sleeping with your client

[Serotonin]

Originally Posted by hankster

Yes, but I think it's unethical because technically you're sleeping with your client

We don't do sex, well except on those rare, special occasions; like when I manage to achieve an erection.

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by Serotonin

I [...] embarked upon a process of DIY treatment, which included a psychotherapy of talking to myself. I've had some very long and deep conversations with myself, and have got to the bottom of a lot of issues. I'm a great simultaneous patient/talker and psychotherapist/listener, and have given myself all of the attention that I need and deserve.

just wondering..... what do you look for by joining this forum?