RE: Depression and Suicidal Feelings
Interesting article on depression, a very good read :-) I would say from a personal stand point I have had very bad experiences with traditional therapy whether it be talk therapy or cbt, it seems to be very often now being prescribed for absolutely everything, which from a practical point of view makes no sense whatsoever, it would be impossible that one form of therapy can handle everything, the same goes for pharma products, which can also have a sinister edge to them as well, that said for anyone these things have worked for then all power to them, we have to find help wherever it is possible to find it, thats just my personal experiences and views. Practical help though that you suggested has for me always been the most powerful thing, which circumstances or day to day life shifts I always see a dramatic change in my day to day health which shows that these aspects massively effect your overall wellbeing, I don't doubt that for a second. It sounds to me from the little I know of occupational therapy that this may be a far better form of therapy than these other ones as is it looks at empowering the individual, and very often those with mental health issues suffer a major and chronic shortage of control over there own lives, anything that can address that shortfall must be massively positive :-)
Yes, the goal of any kind of therapy should be to empower the person. As far as type of therapy, it's whatever works! Some do well with CBT, and others just with talk therapy. Others don't do well with talk therapy or digging up past traumas. There's so much out there in terms of therapy that it's a virtural smorgasbord of therapies to choose from. Occupational therapy is self-empowering because it's entire goal is to help the patient become more self-reliant and as high-functioning as possible and to maintain that as long as they can. Of course, a lot of it has to do with the therapist and it's important to find one that is good. I personally have also had several bad experiences with therapists I went to for some of my own issues. It's rare that one finds a really good one.
Yes I agree with that, was there one type of therapy or treatment that you found most helpful for your own personal issues? (if you don't mind me asking) :-)
Truthfully -- nothing in recent years. I went through a years of not finding a good therapist and after several disappointments and let-downs, I realized what direction I didn't want to take and that I was my own best help. This may not work for everyone, but my ultimate realization was that I was the only one who could really help myself. Maybe I outgrew therapy, and besides it rarely told me anything I didn't know already. Sure there were some good, reinforcing suggestions, but looking back it was a Jungian therapist that was the best for me. I think that this is because they also focus on the spiritual aspect of our being, as well as practical. It's a potpourri of what works for me and that's what I've been applying to myself for years now, and it seems to be helping. Obviously I can't go into a lot of detail here but the bottom line is really "Physician, heal thyself". We all have that capacity within us and once we realize and understand that responsibility for our own recovery and healing, it makes all the difference. I'm also finding that a balance in my life is crucial -- a lot of it the very occupational therapy principles that I study and know, applied to myself. Writing also helped me a lot, as a means of self-expression and venting. A lot of poetry -writing, of which I have also used therapeutically with others.
I agree about writing for certain, without writing I very much doubt I would still be alive to be honest, it has kept me going through horrific times, creativity is always so helpful :-)