Posted by Adam on November 14, 1999, at 14:04:57
In reply to Re: The usefulness of talk therapy, posted by Noa on November 13, 1999, at 4:45:00
Thank you, Noa. Extremely good advice.
> Having a schema or two is not an indication of a personality disorder. Everyone operates under the influence of schemas. We develop beliefs and don't challenge them, and they influence our lives. THis is the basic premise of CBT. CBT challenges schemas head on, but assumes that most people can take the head on assault. I believe they are wrong about that. Some people can take the head on assault, others can't. Not being able to does not indicate a "personality" disorder.
> I don't even fully accept the idea of "personality" disorders, anyway. I believe just about everyone in the world could fall under the Dx of "Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified".
> Sure you may have avoidant tendencies--you are protecting yourself from the anxiety you experience.
> Forget about the DX. Forget about a clear-cut specific form of TX. I think it is possible that these CATEGORIES are playing into your compulsive tendencies. If you are interested, talk therapy can be very useful in helping you to sort out the meaning of stuff to you in your life, to help you own yourself more and be more conscious about how you want to and are able to live your life as yourself. In terms of the brain laterality thing that I am currently preoccupied with, talk therapy helps to bring the emotional, irrational right side together with the logical verbal left, for a more peaceful coexistence.
> If you seek out a therapist, go for one who is well versed in your particular symptoms, and is comfortable about a multimodal approach (medication, etc. plus talk therapy, etc.), a therapist who is knowlegable but not hung up on diagnosis ala DSM, is more interested in understanding you and your difficulties as an individual.
poster:Adam
thread:14804
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991108/msgs/15194.html