My Issues With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

frame #1: Around 2009- New Tactic: Maybe I can control my reactions to IBS through CBT- I'm doing a lot of research and there seems to be statistics supporting it as an "effective treatment". Hmmm...well it won't make me sick... Now to find someone... frame #2: I make calls to the limited choices of PhD's who seem able to work with me on IBS. frame #3: What I overhear while the therapist is making a call in-between patients... "Just put all of your worries in a small box and put it aside." Noise machine not working. frame #4: The Dr. has me complete a written test before we start - (therapist) "You know you're depressed that's what the test shows! We can do this in 12 sesions-lots of homework and we'll address your IBS anxieties." (Me thinking) "Wow, what a surprise!" frame #5: This is the book my CBT Dr. used (on my recommendation) - I would've loved to go to the Dr. who wrote this book. I actually talked to him on the phone (nice). But in Buffalo, NY-too far!! Anyway, I had lots of homework to do re: "catastrophizing" (which I admittedly do) and other subjects. But I bristled at the "cookie-cutter" approach that I initially thought I'd like. And hey - this wasn't cheap -45 minute sessions (on the nose) and no insurance taken. frame #6: I lasted 8 of the 12 sessions...the coup de grace was: (therapist) "Just put all of your worries in a small box and put it aside*" *(this said as if it was a profound thought) (Me thinking): This is just aggravating me.

Around 2009, my attention was captured by the theory that CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, was effective in controlling behavior due to IBS. Since my anxieties had been mounting steadily over the years, and IBS was (and is) ruling my life, I thought I’d give it a go. After all, what’s the harm in a non-invasive theory that might even help me cope? The Dr. I chose (for proximity and willingness to specifically target IBS) was OK, I guess. But either she or the entire therapy itself just did not reach me. Whenever she would ask me ” what’s the worst that could happen in such and such a situation?”, I would absolutely think of some terrifying and embarrassing answers. She would dismiss what I said and try to minimize the effect of these situations. While I appreciated the thought process behind what she was presenting, I couldn’t be convinced. After all, I have lived these episodes, and I know how painfully and relentlessly horrible symptoms appear, sometimes with no warning at all. I also couldn’t wrap my brain around all the charts I had to fill out. The questions and answers many times didn’t seem to apply to what I was experiencing in my life. The book, Controlling IBS by Dr. Jeffrey Lackner, was our bible, and this is what she based the therapy on. I proved a most resistant patient. Perhaps a different Dr. might have presented it in a more personalized and palatable form to me – I really don’t know. When I told the therapist I was going to quit after 8 sessions, she said “Well, OK, if you don’t want to put in the work that’s required of you.” I didn’t care for that either, as I would have done anything to get relief. I felt I was getting nowhere with the whole thing…just getting more and more aggravated and frustrated.

7 thoughts on “My Issues With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  1. Awesome, that reminds me of a doctor I went to some time ago! She told me she was impressed because I stated that I could bear with an IBS crisis up to 7, (on the 1-10 pain scale) before fainting and apparently most people just pray for death around four – or so she said. I lasted about 3 or 4 sessions then told her it wasn’t going to work out. At least that one had the decency to let me go without any nasty comment!
    Your website is great! I’m not even as old as your IBS, but I’ve been sick for about 7 years. I can manage it on a daily basis most of the time, and knowing there’s no cure makes me less anxious of finding one. Now I just seek ways to make it a bit less painful. So thank you for your comics, because we need to laugh about IBS, it’s not going to snap back at us, there’s nothing to be afraid of!

  2. Julie, thanks for your comment on CBT. At least you stopped before you spent as much money as I did! You are right about trying to laugh at our situation…whenever when we can, that is.

    • Thank you for your comment about CBT. Maybe the impression this Dr. had of himself was over-inflated by virtue of writing this book. That’s a big disappointment, as I’m guessing you thought he would be a help. I keep reading about how CBT has been shown to be so effective, but my experience was not good either.

  3. Hello, my name is Angelina!

    I`m a professional writer and I`m going to change your lifes on?e and for all
    Writing has been my passion for a long time and now I can`t imagine my life without it.
    Most of my books were sold throughout Canada, USA, Old England and even Russia. Also I`m working with services that help people to save their nerves.
    People ask me “Please, Angelina, I need your professional help” and I always accept the request, `cause I know, that only I can solve all their problems!

    Academic Writer – Angelina – How to Teach Students to Write an Essay Corps

  4. List of Most Trusted Maha168 Online Slots No.
    1
    Finding the best online slot gambling site is not an simple
    matter. Of the many online gambling sites that you can find upon the
    internet, unfortunately not every of these sites come up with
    the money for equal service. Some of them even just desire to allow advantage of the customers but don’t want to meet the expense of the occupy service.

    Therefore, it is unquestionably important for you to be accomplished to know
    what nice of site to choose and which to avoid in the manner of playing
    online slot gambling. The in the manner of are some important things that
    you should pay attention to when choosing the best and most trusted online slot gambling site.

Leave a Reply to Jea ne Skadowski Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *