Can treatments really work?
Anybody suffering with depression, anxiety or OCD for 20 years or more, despite receiving treatment wonder why their condition hasn't improved?
I don't believe the treatments can EVER work. As they aren't designed to target the root.
Would love to discuss this topic.
I believe I know why, certainly in my own personal case and literally thousands of others I've spoke with also
@LetsChillOut 7 Cups does not allow listeners to seek support, unfortunately. We must use our member accounts for that. So there is a risk that someone will delete this thread. I hope that deleting the reference to your own personal case will be enough the save the thread.
Anyway, it's a good topic for discussion. My understanding of it is that when CBT was first invented it was designed to target the root cause of depression. Later, it was also used for anxiety, OCD, etc. By targeting the root cause, the treatment worked and was permanent.
However, new forms of CBT were soon invented, and other therapies too, that did not target the root cause. These therapies can sometimes be a complete failure, and sometimes work only temporarily. Unfortunately, the term CBT does not distinguish between the original and the new forms.
I do agree that anyone who has been trying something for 20 years without success does probably need to try some other approach.
Charlie
If the thread is deleted so be it. I just believe there are people here, who are receiving professional treatment for such conditions that CANNOT and WILL NOT bring about the results they need/want.
I'm not selling anything, or advising, I was merely looking to discuss the topic. I also notice that "support" comes in many forms. From listening down to practical advice. Something which people across the globe are afraid to do....incase they are blamed or sued for something.
Which is exactly my point regarding any mental health issue. The truth will set people free....trouble is not enough people are willing to speak about the truth....because that upsets people.and in this modern world upsetting people is friend upon.
But sometimes in my experience the hardest things to hear and often the things most valuable to us.
Thanks for your contribution.
@LetsChillOut
Cheers for your post! I hope it doesn't get deleted. I'd love to engage in that discussion. It's something that NEEDS to be talked about. Let's see what happens.
@RarelyCharlie @LetsChillOut
I see no problem with this, personal experiences can be shared. If the overall purpose is to support members it's ok to discuss what has worded for a listener and what has not.
@LetsChillOut
Hi I have had depression and anxiety for more than 20 years (no ocd). I have had improvements in these conditions with treatment thankfully.
8 years and counting ðŸ˜
This is really difficult to argue.
1. Degree of issue is different in everyone.
2. The root lies pretty deep buried under layers of insecurities, habits, lies, fear, misconceptions, labeling, societal pressure & image, self pressure & image & childhood experience.
3. Now, the degree of openness to face all the above is also different in everyone. In the sense, one does know something is not right but would not want to confront other aspects of themselves thinking its not related. Or simply, is scared to. There is a certain degree of comfort and a leap of faith required at many steps in the process.
4. With All 3 above, the treatment can do some portion of the job (kinda get you battle ready or like gears of war) but some layers need to be faced/peeled of by the person themselves. Because those layers are thicker than others.
5. And even after all this, one could be suffering after 20yrs or more but if they have developed enough awareness & practices amongst themselves to get through an episode without affecting more damage mentally/physically, I really take that as a win.
@Listener89104
Quotes here along with my thoughts.
1. Degree of issue is different in everyone.
Agreed. I'll add to that combinations and the complexity thereof. How deep do the roots go and how many are there. I don't "have" CPTSD. It's not a thing to possess or not. I live alongside it. I believe there's a difference. The very word complex implies a great deal but actually defines how much?
2. The root lies pretty deep buried under layers of insecurities, habits, lies, fear, misconceptions, labeling, societal pressure & image, self pressure & image & childhood experience.
Agreed. I'll note that all of these are either negative in and of themselves or can be so. Each can be taken as a learning experience. Finding the root requires a great deal of deep introspection and I do not believe there is ever really only one root.
3. Now, the degree of openness to face all the above is also different in everyone. In the sense, one does know something is not right but would not want to confront other aspects of themselves thinking its not related. Or simply, is scared to. There is a certain degree of comfort and a leap of faith required at many steps in the process.
Absolutely. Fear and avoidance are the some of biggest obstacles to overcome. One may know something is wrong but fear to take action to change it. Or simply not know how. Thus leading to avoidance. This can be mental, emotional, physical or psychological. The first step of admitting to oneself that there is a problem is the hardest barrier to break through. Deciding to do something about it is the hardest action. I believe that's where many get stuck. They question exactly what to do, when or how, or what can they do and thus remain undecided, in avoidance and in conflict. The answer lies in doing some thing. Anything small can help make that leap of faith. Not making a decision is a decision itself.
4. With All 3 above, the treatment can do some portion of the job (kinda get you battle ready or like gears of war) but some layers need to be faced/peeled of by the person themselves. Because those layers are thicker than others.
I view treatment as a toolbox. Use the right application of the right tools, for the right length of time, to do the job at hand. Applied incorrectly, it results in a poor job. The wrong tools can damage the work or leave it unfinished. The person is the craftsman. Ultimately, they must select the right tool and use it correctly. Even then, no one will produce the same thing twice and there will always be variability between different people's outcomes. A good therapist functions much like a good apprentice. They can hand tools and help point things out but the layers have to be peeled and reassembled by the craftsman. And as I said earlier, TIME is one of those tools. It takes as much or as little time as as it takes. The clock only runs out when the craftsman decides it's been enough time.
5. And even after all this, one could be suffering after 20yrs or more but if they have developed enough awareness & practices amongst themselves to get through an episode without affecting more damage mentally/physically, I really take that as a win.
Agreed. I also take that as a win. It's an unfortunate fact that there are some things in life that we will never truly "get over". The old saying of "you can not unsee what you've seen " is very applicable here. We may move on and repair the damage but we will never forget. It still lies in our minds. That's what makes us human and all unique individuals.
@LetsChillOut
yes I suffer from depression
