[highfunctioning]

I feel like I can't retrain my thoughts, and it doesn't help at all with the physical symptoms of anxiety/panic. Has anyone else had this experience?

[Lauliza]

You aren't going to change who you are, just recognize distorted thought patterns and behaviors so you can manage your emotions better. It takes a long time and a lot of practice and also a real desire to make the changes its trying to help you with. The homework can be the most hated but also the most helpful part, so hopefully it's not too hard for you to stick with.

[stopdog]

I found it completely useless. I already knew what I felt was not real.

[divine1966]

My BF swears by CBT. He believes it changed his world and his life and if not that he'd never be successful in life. It might depend what you need therapy for

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[LonesomeTonight]

How long have you been working with the CBT? It took me probably months to have it help with panic at all. And I still have occasional panic attacks, but the CBT helps some. It also might not be the right approach for you--you might need a different form of therapy to help you. Also, are you on any medication? It helped me being on an SSRI to help control the anxiety/panic a bit so that I could focus on the therapy.

Cbt isn't for everyone.
I found it next to useless.

I agree that it isn't for everyone. It does help some, but it isn't useful for all.

[highfunctioning]

I have been seeing this therapist for SIX YEARS. During that time, I have been through some enormous personal stress (marital problems, financial setbacks, drug addicted stepkids living in my home, etc.). We are still undergoing some financial issues related to trying to get the stepkids some help.

I am only taking .5 mg of klonopin to control the anxiety. It helps some, but I don't want to up the dose too much. I am actually thinking about going back on Effexor even though it was hell to get off of it because things were better when I was taking it.

I have a lot of physical symptoms as a part of the anxiety (stomach trouble, chronic pain, etc.) and I find this type of therapy useless in preventing this from happening. It's like they are triggered by a part of my brain that is more primitive than the part that controls rational thought.

[eeyorestail]

Originally Posted by highfunctioning

I have a lot of physical symptoms as a part of the anxiety (stomach trouble, chronic pain, etc.) and I find this type of therapy useless in preventing this from happening. It's like they are triggered by a part of my brain that is more primitive than the part that controls rational thought.

highfunctioning, I have had this problem before as well. Many of my anxiety symptoms are physical and seem to spring up before I even have had time to have a thought to trigger them. I have asked several Ts how "changing my thoughts" is supposed to help these symptoms when they pop up instantly before I have time to think anything (for example, upon waking up in the morning).

I think CBT is useful in some circumstances for some people. I think how skillfully it is practiced by the T is important in its efficacy as well. But I don't think it is the panacea some Ts seem to think it is. And I certainly don't think you should feel like a failure if it is not working for you!

I think you are right to consider a med adjustment (though I also agree that upping the Klonopin may be a dangerous slippery slope), and I wonder if you could ask your T about trying mindfulness therapy or DBT or something similar. There is also something called ACT that I have read books on that has been very helpful.

[angelicgoldfish05]

Originally Posted by highfunctioning

I feel like I can't retrain my thoughts, and it doesn't help at all with the physical symptoms of anxiety/panic. Has anyone else had this experience?

It takes a long time to retrain our thoughts about ourselves, others or our life situations. Please look at the small successes and progresses and celebrate those. Don't discount all the work you have already put into it. Sometimes we just need to keep trying before we grasp the next branch we are reaching for. It may even take growing a bit taller in order to reach it. It takes time. Please be gentle and patient with yourself.

As for your symptoms of anxiety/panic, there are many new developments in therapy since CBT. Here is a good list of the many different types of therapies out there.

http://www.goodtherapy.org/types-of-therapy.html

Not saying that they have wide availability in regards to practitioners, but if CBT is not working for you, it is not you that is failing, the therapy is failing you. Find something that will work for you so you will be able to move forward, make progress, and begin to feel better about yourself. Good luck.

[angelicgoldfish05]

Originally Posted by highfunctioning

I have been seeing this therapist for SIX YEARS. During that time, I have been through some enormous personal stress (marital problems, financial setbacks, drug addicted stepkids living in my home, etc.). We are still undergoing some financial issues related to trying to get the stepkids some help.

I am only taking .5 mg of klonopin to control the anxiety. It helps some, but I don't want to up the dose too much. I am actually thinking about going back on Effexor even though it was hell to get off of it because things were better when I was taking it.

I have a lot of physical symptoms as a part of the anxiety (stomach trouble, chronic pain, etc.) and I find this type of therapy useless in preventing this from happening. It's like they are triggered by a part of my brain that is more primitive than the part that controls rational thought.

You may want to look at gabapentin, it helps with anxiety and also chronic pain. I'm not a doctor, just know that it worked for me. Also, I would not discredit yourself for all the work you have done in the past 6 years. It may seem like a long time for you, and that you should be seeing results by now, but it sounds like you have had some major setbacks and stressors along the way. This makes progressing in treatment that much harder. Everytime you are hit with a new stressful event, all your energy goes into managing that. Sometimes we just don't make a lot of progress and then suddenly break through and move in leaps and bounds in a very short time. You just never know when this is going to happen. It may be right around the corner for you.