I Hate Talking Therapies, Anyone Agree???

[TemporarilyOutOfOrder]

Hi everyone,

I have seen various counselors and one psychologist before, I have a rather negative attitude towards seeing them myself from past results. I feel they just don't get me. I feel so stupid for revealing the ins and outs of my life only to feel like they didn't help me. I have been told to keep trying til I find someone I click with but it is a huge emotional investment for me and I feel like it is hopeless.

I have had anxiety for the past 7 or so years and undiagnosed depression for the past 12 months approx. I have not seen anyone about this suspected depression, have not even spoken to my family or partner about it yet. 

 I dislike the idea of talking therapies and if the GP I will see about my depression suggests a psychologist I hope to try and give it a go again but will be very apprehensive. I have always said in the past that I want to avoid medication and try anything else first but am at the lowest point I have been yet, I have withdrawn from almost everyone and don't even want to make a phone call to sort out my pay issues, I really fear talking with people right now. I am wondering if medication might help me get out of this rut enough to start on the road to recovery.

I want to know if there is anyone out there that is in a similar boat?

What are your thoughts on NOT having talking therapy??

[geoff]

dear David Charles, I couldn't agree any more than what you have said, that is, 'The relationship is probably more important than the method'.

If you can't get on with your psych then the counselling will never work, because you don't trust the person so those hidden facts will never be revealed, so then what's the point of seeing them.

Once the psych has you in his hand of trust then the method will develop. Geoff.

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear Geoff,

How about this angle ?    If we responders (of some duration) couldn't have a relationship (albeit internet based) with other responders why would we bother posting anything ?   It's the individual feeling or experience that touches the core of us.  You can't really replace this with boxes to tick, robots or a brick wall that you bounce an idea off.

I discovered yesterday that my new Feb Medicare Card had been continually posted to a suburb with the same name in South Australia and not New South Wales.   This 6 month hiatus (which caused me to cancel some counselling,etc) might be a good example for the opposite form !   Maybe if I had dealt with a robot doing admin instead of a bored call centre operator I might have had some success earlier.     There were a few visions going throgh my head where I would end it and then the afternoon's post would bring the valued Medicare Card !   

I'm pretty sure there was a real life situation where the depressed screen writer did himself in and the next day his post delivered a large cheque for a big budget film contract.  Maybe suicide is a bit of a no show as in There's no [business like] show [business].     The failure is within the success and vice versa.

Adios, David.

[Jessie83]

I saw a few therapists who I didn't like, I find the whole thing awkward. Then I got pretty sick and ended up seeing a psychiatrist. Best thing I ever did. After the standard 3 sessions I had a diagnosis, medication,  and treatment plan under my arm. Monthly appointments to see how the meds were sitting in, and discussions about what other things I was doing to keep well. The meds worked a treat. They lowered the intensity of my anxiety and i then had the space tpo do the things i need to do to be well.

This was perfect for me. I am not interested in building a relationship with a therapist. I want something short term that will give me the skills to work with from the now. I'm looking into ACT (touted as the new therapy style, but it seems to make logical sense). It's called Acceptance and Committment therapy, and is all about learning to be ok with feeling anxious and making decisions to have a great life anyway. Seems to be having some good results already. I am also looking onto biofeedback which is another new but popular take on traditional talk therapy. I quite like the scientific take on things as it sits well with my personality and willingness to commit. 

After being well for a few years I have now slid into not to well again, and so am trying  a few things before medication (not cos medication is bad, just cos I want to see if I can pull myself out without it)

So give a few other things a try, like seeeing a psychiatrist who will idagnise and treat you medically. Or seeing therapists who can offer things like CBT or ACT therapy, which are future directed and shorter term. I also avoid anyone isn't a psychologist or psychiatrist, but that's just me. 

Let us know what you end up doing!

[Grace_Adams]

I saw 4 different therapists across 7 years and eventually turned to medication. I initially started taking medication for anxiety but I realised a month into it that I had been depressed for so long that it had become normal for me. I feel much better on meds than talking to a therapist. I felt uncomfortable and I didn't want to divulge private information about my boyfriend, friends and family. I will only deal with my GP now but my old psychiatrist (who I only saw 3 times) completely fixed my problems with medication and a change of diet - no dairy, no gluten, no sugar.

[Donkion]

You definately need to talk to someone, whether it be a professional or a family member or a friend or even just someone on here! 

I think the trick is just finding the right person to talk to. I'm lucky enough to have a very kind hearted doctor... I haven't been to counselling yet, but I do know I will find the right person when I do. 

I know I have my partner to talk to, but I know deep down he won't understand...

Long story short, you need someone there to let EVERYTHING out to! you can't bottle that stuff up inside 🙂

[074KU]

My opinion, for what it is worth is, talking therapy is rubbish, name one brain surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, GP, MD, Nurse, etc. who can cure  you SOLELY by talking with you. At best you are getting bile off your chest at worst you are wasting your time.

[Brett]

Hi,

If talking therapy doesn't work for you then so be it. So long as you are left with some options to recovery. I know that we don't 'click' with everyone, and therapists are no different. I also think that progress depends in part on the attitude we bring to therapy. My most recent therapist failed to enthuse me but I could see that he had some ideas that could really help. Yes, I agree that 'talking' can get you so far as opposed to 'action' which might take you further. In the spirit of being kind, I think that we should expect kindness from our therapists and offer it in return. We are all doing the best we can.

Brett.  

[lethal55]

hi temporarilyoutoforder

i have had talk therapy from over 100 diffrent theripsts

it always makes you worse never helps thy say you have to get worse before you get better but thy have no idear how to make you better

thy do not help or guide you in any way

most are not even listerning to you or thy hear the opersite to what you say

thy have no intrest in helping anyone only after your money

meds help some and make others like me worse

mindfulness, controled breathing will be suggested dont work ether

so it ether talk meds or shock treatment

thy will offer none work

my thorts lethal

[074KU]

'doing the best we can' along with other such platitudes as 'just following orders' have been used to excuse atrocity, inaction and generally criminal behavior for many a year.
When these therapies don't work it is always the fault of the person with the 'disorder,' however I challenge you to bring forth any verified statistical evidence of talking therapies providing life long cure for any significant body of people. If there was a system that worked, at all, the inventor would be madly rich and there would not be mental illness (at least for the scheme invented above)

Treatments for mental illness are like so many fad diets, they all claim to be wonderful, the final solution to all your problems, provide small help, rip you of big money and do nothing in the long run.
I challenge you to provide any proof to the contrary.

As always folks this is all merely my opinion, if you feel that I have not presented it in the best way possible consider I am a 'damaged' person.