CBT vs CBT?
Hi 👋
I was wondering if anyone has tried CBT and/or DBT for their bipolar depression?
I'm bipolar 2, depression being my biggest issue, and unfortunately often goes down a very dark path 😞
I've been thinking about trying one of these (will ask my psych for more info), but was wondering if people have found either of these helpful or could tell me more about what it was like? I know CBT is common for depression, but read that DBT might be good for the particularly bad thoughts when my mind goes there.
Thanks for any info, thoughts, and insights! 😊
@Bluestar3 Hi. I found CBT helpful for depression. Dr. David Burns book, Feeling Good was really helpful in combination with a therapist that practiced Burns’ form of CBT. See link below for a video by Burns. Sometime after being treated with CBT I learned about mindfulness meditation which I understand may be a component of DBT. I’ve not been to a therapist that practices DBT but when I read that they incorporated mindfulness I thought that sounded really good because while CBT was helpful, mindfulness seemed to be extra “leverage.” Like mindfulness and CBT both complement each other really well. Wishing you all the best in finding the therapies that work best for you.
@Bluestar3 I am not an expert, but here are some thoughts.
CBT was invented to treat unipolar depression (now called major depressive disorder), which is very different from bipolar depression. Research into CBT for bipolar depression has not shown any clear benefit, although it may be helpful for some people.
DBT was invented to prevent suicide in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Again, BPD is very different from bipolar, and according to the research there is no clear benefit from using DBT for bipolar, although it may be helpful for some people.
Asking you psych about these therapies is a good idea. CBT and DBT can be very helpful therapies when they are used in the right way, but unfortunately bipolar disorder seems to be caused by something going on in the brain that CBT and DBT cannot influence much.
Charlie
Personally I find DBT the most helpful. I recommend starting a daily meditation practise. That has been so helpful for me in dealing with episodes of bipolar depression and hypomania. It helps me to slow down racing thoughts, sleep better, regulate my emotions, feel less anxious/depressed, decrease the amount of panic attacks I get, have more self control and so much more. I practise a meditation called Cosmic Freedom Qigong (CFQ). It has changed my life for the better. 💞
