Theo
Newbie
Posts: 3
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Post by Theo on Apr 17, 2014 13:48:21 GMT
Hi everyone, My GP recently forced/persuaded me to go to the university mental health support because he thinks CBT can really help with my social anxiety and panic attacks. I'm going to the first appointment on Tuesday, but I'm super nervous because a) the therapist is a stranger and that alone makes me very anxious, and b) I'm worrying unpleasant past memories will be brought up during the session. Anxiety has always been a problem but my family's way to deal with these issues is that you don't talk about it -> you don't go to the doctors -> you don't get diagnosed -> that means you don't have a problem. That's why I was very reluctant to seek any help until two months ago when my panic attacks got really bad and my friends pretty much dragged me to the GP. It has got even worse over the past month where I have barely left my apartment or spoken to anyone Can anyone give me any advice as in how to prepare myself for the first CBT session? I think they will give me an assessment and I have read some articles on CBT but any suggestion will help! Thanks xxx
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Post by lucyrob on Apr 17, 2014 13:56:22 GMT
Hey theo. Welcome to MiLO. Personally, I've never had CBT, but a few people I know have. I understand how unnerving it can be to speak to a complete stranger, however, you don't have to talk about anything you're not ready to talk about. Whoever it is will be there to support you in what you feel you can open up about, but these people are usually practiced in putting you at ease. It's so amazing you reached out to get support and that you're going through with this. That's a huge positive step and you should be proud of that. You may not feel ready to discuss anything in your first session, but in your sessions you'll have a chance to build trust with the practitioner. All I would say is to try and be honest with them as much as you can. It may do you the world of good
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Post by BethH on Apr 18, 2014 8:16:01 GMT
I'm going to be honest and say that I found CBT pretty hard at first because I wasn't used to the type of questions I was being asked, or the focus of the conversatio being entirely on me. However, it did easier fairly quickly, so my advice would be to keep going with it even if it seems tricky to start with.
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Post by Helen on Apr 18, 2014 8:50:22 GMT
I'm actually starting CBT next week. I was told that it is more about looking at behavioural patterns and seeing how they impact on you health, i.e. trying to break vicious cycles of stress etc. I really hope it can help you (and me!) so I hope you can go in and get some benefit from it. It's always scary when you don't know what to expect but hopefully it will be worth it.
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Post by BethH on Apr 18, 2014 16:00:17 GMT
Helen's right - CBT doesn't look at your past at all, it's all about looking at what you can change in the present to make things better for yourself.
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Theo
Newbie
Posts: 3
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Post by Theo on Apr 19, 2014 22:40:44 GMT
Other than that I'm worrying about being put on the spot - that's the same reason I don't like celebrating my birthday (sad I know)! But thanks anyways I feel more positive now hopefully everything will go right and good luck with your CBT too Helen xxx
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