A Question About Therapy

[Gvac]

Just a random thought that popped into my head - do you think that perhaps the modern approach to psychotherapy is all wrong in that they insist on dealing with the root of the problem? For instance, if a person is suffering from bouts of depression the therapist will try to get the patient to dig deeper and deeper into their past and dredge up all kinds of painful memories.

Would it be more effective to just try to help the depressed person deal with depression instead of forcing them to relive all sorts of traumatic experiences?

P.S. - I've never been to a therapist so I don't even know if my example is valid. I'm pretty much going on what I've seen portrayed on film.

[grlNIN]

Would it be more effective to just try to help the depressed person deal with depression instead of forcing them to relive all sorts of traumatic experiences? .

No.

[EliSnow]

No.

I concur.

[Peas Old]

If this is something that interests you, the approach you are looking for is Cognitive Behavioral therapy, and more specifically REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy) by Albert Ellis. The whole focus is on the present and how to deal with the irrational thoughts that cause depression and anxiety. Google it. An example would be when Fez fucks up and starts telling himself he is stupid, then useless, then basically a bad person. Ron replies, "Who gives a fuck?" and is absolutely correct. No one gives a shit about Three's Company trivia, but that is Fez's irrational thinking. Peas Old!

http://jaytool.blogspot.com/

[Bellyfullasnot]

I think the modern approach is the better way to go. A therapist helps the patient develop strategies to deal with the problem or problems and identify the causes and triggers.

This may take a long time or more than one therapist. You're basically entering therapy with an empty tool box and being taught/trained how to deal with what is bothering you. Hopefully as you progress in therapy your box is full of useful "tools" to help get through life.

[SatCam]

There is a cure for this kind of stuff.........


http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061025/061025_effexor_vmed_1130a.widec.jpg

[Ritalin]

If this is something that interests you, the approach you are looking for is Cognitive Behavioral therapy, and more specifically REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy) by Albert Ellis. The whole focus is on the present and how to deal with the irrational thoughts that cause depression and anxiety. Google it. An example would be when Fez fucks up and starts telling himself he is stupid, then useless, then basically a bad person. Ron replies, "Who gives a fuck?" and is absolutely correct. No one gives a shit about Three's Company trivia, but that is Fez's irrational thinking. Peas Old!

http://jaytool.blogspot.com/


The aspect of Cognitive Therapy that appeals to me is the idea that the practice deals only with issues and actions that are observable. In other words, if you have a compulsion to stick your hand in a fire, a Cognitive therapist will only be interested in that act and not in the underlying reasons behind it, UNLESS those reasons can be observed and have a factual basis.

I don't know if it's effective, but it does appeal to me.

[Gvac]

No.

I concur.

Please elucidate.

[EliSnow]

Please elucidate.

I've done some therapy. It's worked better for me to figure out where certain behavior originated. Once I've learned why I react to certain things in certain ways, I can easier figure out how to modify my behavior and way of thinking.

[Creepy McFlirt]

No.

brevity is one of my "turn ons".

:wub:

[grlNIN]

Brevity is the soul of wit.

[keithy_19]

If you only focus on the depression that is occuring at the moment. You may be able to get those feelings to subside, but if you don't get to the root of the problem they'll come back.

[milliehatchett]

one of the most beneficial aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy (in my opinion) is the differentiation between thoughts, beliefs and feelings.

Instead of saying, "I FEEL like a failure" - realizing that is a belief and not a feeling helps to be able to manage it better.

[Sinestro]

I'm pretty much going on what I've seen portrayed on film.

Ughh!!!!

[EliSnow]

P.S. - I've never been to a therapist so I don't even know if my example is valid. I'm pretty much going on what I've seen portrayed on film.

Specifically, this film:

http://media.movieweb.com/galleries/1286/668/lo/co1.jpg

[booster11373]

All I can say is you might have a point there GVAC