[185329]

I've been trying various self-help books lately, and at least one of them seems to be only making things worse for me and my situation. The book I am referring to is called, "The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Anger".

Ever since I began reading it and learning strategies, it seems to only be making my anger worse. Just a little while ago, I snapped at my parents (I have schizoaffective disorder and live with my parents). I was complaining about "being a martyr" and told "them", or whoever was listening, to "f**k off".

Then I came up to my room and fumed over it. It really aggravates me that I am not making progress. I attribute my worsening of symptoms to the DBT book on anger that I recently started reading; I am on Chapter 3, and am on the exercise for weighing the pros and cons of anger and working on anger.

There was a self-help book that I found more therapeutic and useful. It's called "The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Psychosis" by Maggie Mullen LCSW. The only problem with it, that I can see, is that it addresses certain aspects of psychotic illness; but when taking anger, for instance, it does nothing for it.

In the chapter for emotion regulation, it gives useful techniques like identifying and validating one's emotions; as well as the survey method for suspiciousness. But the book as a whole fails to address my anger issues.

I like the DBT book on anger, and it seemed like it could have helped me, but now I am having serious doubts about it. Maybe the problem is that I believe I can work out my problems on my own time, such as via the New Harbinger Self-Help Workbooks.

I don't want to admit myself into an outpatient program. I have tried it in the past, but my Mother does not think it is very helpful or relative to my situation. And I agree with her about that. I've been mentally ill for seventeen years in counting. And it's been hell, not only for me, but for my significant others , too.

I am grateful that there is medication for what I have, but I am desperately pining to get better already. I'm done with this s**t.

[TheGal]

Good on you for working on yourself.

If the DBT book about anger is causing you more anger, put it aside for a while and, as you're doing, focus on the other book.

Have you ever heard of schema therapy? I just found this: Borderline Personality Disorder Therapy | San Jose | California (Not suggesting you go to San Jose or anything, but they discuss schema)

Also Gestalt or Transactional Analysis might be interesting to consider. There's a book called "Born to Win" by Dorothy Jongeward and Muriel James that contains aspects of those two therapies.

You can also get books for cheaper at AbeBooks | Shop for Books, Art & Collectibles

Best wishes to you...

[185329]

Hey, thanks for your reply and recommendations. I have not heard of schema therapy, but I have heard of the concept of negative self-schemas; it's mentioned in my copy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Olivia Telford. I'm not too crazy about that book and have recently purchased a couple CBT books on Amazon by Seth J. Gillihan.

I also bought a third book that has a bunch of cognitive behavioral therapy worksheets that seem like they might be useful. I'm not sure if I am going overboard with it or not, but time will tell I suppose.

I had actually completed the DBT book for psychosis, and it seemed to help me. I recently began reading it again. This time, however, when I did the questionnaire in the introduction, I was a little unsure about saying "Yes" to each question; whereas the first time I answered the questions, I answered "Yes" to every single one. I see this as a sign of personal progress and am glad about it.

[TheGal]

Good on you! It is progress!! Yay!

You've inspiried me to work on myself by myself, instead of waiting for therapy...

I need/want to do schema work myself. I only did a bit when I was in CBT group therapy. It was very interesting and helpful... I want more of that in my life!!

Just looked up: schema-focused cognitive therapy workbook ... & ... free scheme therapy worksheets...

I don't want to get trapped in my own overthinking, though, so I'm also exercising, singing aloud along with songs I like, and doing John Davisi guided meditations on YouTube.

Here's a 5-minute one, if you want to try it; otherwise just search for John Davisi or Goodful on YouTube, as there are many different ones:

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Not sure you are still following your thread, but if you do, what about taking a break from all workbooks, shirt to reading good fiction, and see if you can relate to emotional ups and downs of personages/characters/heroes in the books you read? There might be a character similar to you, who also has struggles with anger, and by living that character's life in your mind as you read and reflect on the book, you might be able to help yourself more effectively than with sheets from workbooks. This is just one idea for you.