Has anyone tried cognitive behavorial therapy or any kind of therapy...What helps change the negative thinking into positive thinking.Was just wondering what works for different people.

Thanks.........

Hi Monroe, I am someone who has used psychotherapy, on and off, for many years. Specifically for panic disorder, i have tried several different 'Cognitive Behavioural' approaches which did not work for me. This program at the Midwest is the most comprehensive cognitive approach i have ever come across. In almost all other programs, i was asked to get through these horrific panic episodes by sheer will! Perhaps there was some instruction for breathing,etc... but absolutely no attention paid to any other areas of our lives which are all a 'part' of fear. Fear is often treated, cognitively, as a thing all by itself, connected to nothing! What struck me about the Midwest program when i first saw some literature on it, was that there was attention given to SO many aspects of our makeup, watching how our minds work being one very important one! As far as 'other' therapies go.....If you find that you are unable to change certain things via this program, perhaps you may need to augment it with private psychotherapy, which (if you choose a 'good' therapist) will provide for you a safe place where you can explore what is holding you back. You asked about how to change negative thought to positive thought. You don't say whether or not you've been trying to practice Lesson 3, which addresses this subject. Have you? If you have, perhaps you could write back on this Forum and say what you are finding difficult there. I hope i have provided something helpful. God bless, Linda

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Linda

Monroe,
I have been to therapists several times. I am currently going to what is called brief therapy. This is in addition to the program offered by Midwest Center, and being on meds.


This is the first therapist that really seems to have a good shot at actually helping me. They take the approach of not dwelling on the past or the future. We are working on solutions for the present.

I have not been asked about my childhood or anything in the past. I am asked things like..."if you were to wake up tomorrow and all of your problems were solved, what would be different?" After answering that question we find ways to try and make that difference real.

The program helps me better understand how to make real changes. I don't know if the therapy alone would be working as well if I wasn't already working on the program.

Good luck to you in your qwest to find what works for you. ~Flutterby