[Louella]

So I started an online course of cbt for anxiety at the start of the year but I also feel depressed.

Someone calls me every couple of weeks to check in and see how I’m getting on with things and give me advice on how to reduce anxiety etc. I really like the therapist so far.

The online program has an area for a diary which I have used but rarely shared these with the therapist. If I share the entries they will see this at the next review.

I want to share these entries but I’m worried that it’s not what the program is for. The entries are mainly my thoughts when I’m struggling, nothing bad just saying how difficult I’m finding things and that I’m worried things won’t change and having negative thoughts etc.

I’m just not sure if it’s appropriate for the program or if I should really only be using the diary to talk about just how I’m getting on with the program and not talking about anything else. I don’t want to give the therapist more work or feel silly for sharing too much when that’s not what the program is for.

I wrote an entry last night about how I’m struggling with my anxiety, with feeling down and with wanting to give up. I shared the entry but now I’m having second thoughts and wondering if I just sound silly and melodramatic even though that’s how I feel. I’m tempted to unshare it so they can’t see it but at the same time I want help if it is normal for cbt to deal with such things.

I guess my question is, would the above and my diary entry be the type of thing they normally cover in cbt so appropriate to share?

There are a few I probably wouldn’t share regardless as it’s talking about suicide feelings which I’m not ready to share/feel embarrassed sharing. I’m not going to do anything such as hurt myself the entry was just getting my thoughts out as above but I would be worried how they might interpret it and again incase it’s not appropriate for the program.

[stopdog]

Can you just ask the therapist the next time they check in?

[Louella]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Can you just ask the therapist the next time they check in?

Thanks for replying. I have now asked in a message as I worry if I ask in person I’ll not want to or I will jumble up what I want to say so I should get the answers soon

[guilloche]

I'm glad you were able to send them a message, and hope you get a helpful response. It's hard to say what's appropriate, since we're not familiar with the specific program... but it wouldn't surprise me if it were Ok to talk about both - I think anxiety and depression occur together a LOT.

*hugs* Hope you get a response soon!

[Fuzzybear]

[Louella]

Thank you Guilloche and Fuzzybear. The therapist said he is happy to talk about all my questions which is great, he also answered a couple in his reply so I’m a little happier. I unshared the diary entry though, ugh.