I've discussed this a *lot* with my p-doc b/c I've been using a mix of DBT, CBT and talk therapy, and I have to say, where anxiety is concerned? I do find talk therapy most beneificial, so hey, I won't argue.

Thanks for article, Muji:-) Let our mouths motor on!

I totally agree.

I gave a talk at a church about PTSD and recovery today, so it really bolstered me to have this study come out right now. I got to brag about how much DS PTSD has done for me afterwards when about a dozen of us went out to a restaurant. I told them the fact that talking helps is all the more reason to reduce the public stigma still attached to PTSD sometimes.

Talking about stuff helps.

I have been pro shy since the mid 90s when psychotherapists started imitating street drug peddlers. I miss talk therapy. Glad to hear it is old enough to be new. 'Bout time in The World According to Arf.

Talk therapy is very helpful. In my anxious state, I find that talking to others helps me realize that my anxiety is just anxiety.

Arfie, maybe you just would like a more holistic therapist. I see a lady who is more into meditation/EMDR/talk therapy than pills. She supports her clients need to take them, but prefers us not to if at all possible to encourage being able to really work on our stuff and get rid of it. She does a lot of coping strategies and dealing with stress as it comes up. Like when I had to go stay in a hotel in a different city for work, she had a session with me to prepare me for that. Don't know if you even need or want one, but a thought.

Talk therapy, peer support, and REBT in particular is one reason I'm functional. The "pill 'em all and let God sort it out" approach only works for those who have actual brain chemistry issues IMHO. For those that do it's great, but otherwise it's like taking insulin if you're not diabetic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_emotive_behavior_therapy

Richard,

As a diabetic with PTSD, I really appreciate that analogy. Good one.

RR, good point!

CLinical depression runs in my family, as do addiction issues, and I am epileptic---so I have to confess, yes, my brain chemistry is effed up! Also, without meds, I can't function. So if it's Prozac and live at home and work it out through therapy and go off meds later---or end up back where I was? All hail Fun With Chemistry.

That said---yeah, if you can avoid using pharma, definitely ideal. It's my ultimate goal. Already off Xanax forever, so one step down, woot!

And yes, it's because I can come here to talk it out:-)

The thing I love about talk therapy is the reframing - seeing things from a different perspective. It is really helpful.

And I think it's not only therapy - it's learning. I attended a workshop this past weekend where we learned about how we are in the world, how we interact and how others may experience us - as well as the filters we take information through. There is so much in the world that tells us we should be paranoid and terrified - especially now with all the election stuff! But there is so much good in the world.

Our brains, stuck in survival mode, don't want us to see the safety, the happy, the positive. Having someone point to all the good helps.