Behavioral therapy.

Meiz

All my life I've been lazy. I procrastinate to the point where simple goals such as getting a passport are cast aside with a lot of other things. Motivation for anything other then immediate satisfaction is nil. I'm as cynical and pessimistic as they come.

So, having recently gone through dealing with panic attacks, I got meds. These meds made me fat. I tell the doctor that it's probably a good idea if I stop however I'd rather be fat then kick into survival mode out of the blue for no fucking reason.

Fast forward to about a month ago and I'm seeing a psychologist. This shit aint cheap either running about 150$ a session. Now she's talking about behavioral therapy and all I can see are dollar signs whizzing by. I'm also a little skeptical about the whole process. Oh, and she's diagnosed me with Dysthymia, which is a form of depression.

Should I even bother with this?

Canada_jezus

Generally with therapy and quitting. Don't, not without thinking about it for a loooong time. Since you know "Man does this even do anything?" is kind of part of the whole depression thing. About the meds, i wouldn't just quit, but try another drug. It may sound exausting and over the top but a lot of people need to try three or four untill they find something that helps their symptoms without too many side effects.

In any case, 150 is not peanuts. For comparison i pay about 84 for two one hour sessions a week. So yeah i don't know. I'm generally not a fan of behavioral therapy on its own, but it seems you've got some other help, and for motivational kind of things and joi de vivre stuff its fine.

Finally, how about a psychiatrist? I mean, someone who handles the medical AND talk therapy side can often have a better view of this kind of stuff. Even if its just to review, not actually treat. Second opinions are never bad.

Anyway, hope this helps.

LewieP's Mummy

I had group cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome - 12 sessions. I was a bit sceptical, but its enabled me to manage the CFS better, to stop the negative self talk - you're rubbish, a failure, can't even do the food shopping/house cleaning/drive/walk (take your pick) - and instead, given me techniques to practice positive stuff. I wish i'd had this when i was clinically depressed 9 years ago, cos i could see it working really well on the depression I had. The CFS hasn't improved at all, but I'm better at managing my symptoms, and aren't hard on myself when I can't do stuff cos I'm too tired.

Would group sessions be an option for you?

TheDragon

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthymia

Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to examine and help correct faulty, self-critical thought patterns and correct the cognitive distortions that persons with mood disorders commonly experience.

I don't know how much you should pay, or if you should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist or what. But I think behavioral therapy is key to self improvement. It'll change the way you view yourself and your life, the way you think about things and the way you apply yourself. It literally changes the way you think. Doing this will change your consciousness and doing tasks and achieving goals will not be a mountain to climb anymore; you'll do it as easily as you see anyone else.

Meiz

Well considering the general feedback and the fact that LewiePs mumsy is always right, I think I'll give this thing a fair shake.

Thanks for the input.

As for group sessions, I don't see myself falling down the road of eventually developing project mayhem any time soon.

Trowizilla

Group sessions are pretty great, especially if you're the sort of person who can see problems and solutions really easily for other people but not for yourself. Being in a group kind of forces you to apply your own insights into other people's issues to your own; plus, it really helps with getting perspective.

As far as money goes, look into your county's mental health services. Many places have discounted sessions and sometimes help with medication.

You do sound depressed, by the way. The lack of motivation is a pretty big tip-off. Keep with the therapy, and no matter what, DON'T QUIT THE MEDS WITHOUT TALKING TO THE DOCTOR. It took me a suicide attempt to learn why that was a bad idea.

Meiz

Oh, I can afford the sessions with the insurance plan that I'm on, it's just that it's a lot of money going into something I have doubts about so I decided to hear other people's takes on it.

I'm also not quitting the meds any time soon.

I seriously don't do well in groups when it comes to talking about myself. I hardly trust anyone to be able to have a level headed understanding of what I've been through to get to this point.

LewieP's Mummy

The CBT group I went to was only for people with CFS - I was anxious about going, but they all knew what it was like to have CFS, so it meant short-cut to discussions, rather than having to explain I was so tired my legs wouldn't work any more. They knew. That made a big difference.

Edit: I'm wrong sometimes, as well!