Recovery without therapy?

[WhatPowerIs]

Do you guys think it is possible to recover without going into therapy? It feels like whenever somebody posts about their depression or suicidal thoughts anywhere, a person's first instinct is to tell them to go to therapy. There are many reasons for this of course, for one it ends the conversation kind of quickly and prevents any form of "trauma-dumping" so to speak, two therapy can be told to anybody regardless of their life situation and three the person whose told this doesn't know the extent of the depressed person's position. But is therapy really the only way? Are there solutions to our problem that can be met independently? I understand this line of thinking isn't going to work for everybody, and that therapy may be beneficial to many, and I'm also not taking into account a lot of other variables, but I wanted to hear your guys' thoughts.

 

[Julgran]

Do you guys think it is possible to recover without going into therapy? It feels like whenever somebody posts about their depression or suicidal thoughts anywhere, a person's first instinct is to tell them to go to therapy. There are many reasons for this of course, for one it ends the conversation kind of quickly and prevents any form of "trauma-dumping" so to speak, two therapy can be told to anybody regardless of their life situation and three the person whose told this doesn't know the extent of the depressed person's position. But is therapy really the only way? Are there solutions to our problem that can be met independently? I understand this line of thinking isn't going to work for everybody, and that therapy may be beneficial to many, and I'm also not taking into account a lot of other variables, but I wanted to hear your guys' thoughts.

Which kind of problem are you suffering from at the moment? For example, are you depressed due to a lack of friendship, or are there external factors that keep you in this state of mind?

If I may put it clearly, and somewhat bluntly - I do believe that therapy can help in situations in which the patient is grieving a lost loved one, or if they are lacking friendship or love, but I don't believe that it has much use if one is concerned about external factors, such as war, the economy or a potential asteroid impact - I know, those are just some strange examples, given the context, but you probably understand what I mean.

 

[Life_and_Death]

i think so. if im not going to kms it better be, i cant go for 10yrs due to complications.
really though, yeah. theres not much of a reason you cant do therapy at home. i do, its "easy".

 

[WhatPowerIs]

Which kind of problem are you suffering from at the moment? For example, are you depressed due to a lack of friendship, or are there external factors that keep you in this state of mind?

If I may put it clearly, and somewhat bluntly - I do believe that therapy can help in situations in which the patient is grieving a lost loved one, or if they are lacking friendship or love, but I don't believe that it has much use if one is concerned about external factors, such as war, the economy or a potential asteroid impact - I know, those are just some strange examples, given the context, but you probably understand what I mean.

I don't think I'm suffering from any external problems, none that I can identify anyway, it's all internal - loneliness, self loathing, image issues and things of that nature.

 

[Julgran]

I don't think I'm suffering from any external problems, none that I can identify anyway, it's all internal - loneliness, self loathing, image issues and things of that nature.

I see. Then therapy could work out positively for you. Are you contemplating trying? You seem to know that therapy hasn't given positive results for other people, but it may just work for you. It doens't hurt to try. Is it very expensive where you live?

 

[chloramine]

Do you guys think it is possible to recover without going into therapy? It feels like whenever somebody posts about their depression or suicidal thoughts anywhere, a person's first instinct is to tell them to go to therapy. There are many reasons for this of course, for one it ends the conversation kind of quickly and prevents any form of "trauma-dumping" so to speak, two therapy can be told to anybody regardless of their life situation and three the person whose told this doesn't know the extent of the depressed person's position. But is therapy really the only way? Are there solutions to our problem that can be met independently? I understand this line of thinking isn't going to work for everybody, and that therapy may be beneficial to many, and I'm also not taking into account a lot of other variables, but I wanted to hear your guys' thoughts.

I think part of the reason it's a lot of people's go to suggestion is that suicide is a lot. To get to the point where you want to die a lot is happening and theoretically a professional would be best for navigating that. In practice there are bad actors and therapists who just don't mesh with people well, but the idea of "I do not know what to do with this and I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, so maybe we should bring in someone who is trained for this" isn't a bad or selfish instinct. And there are therapists who are legitimately helpful. It's just. Finding them and being able to afford it.

On the subject of recovery, I don't think it's by any means impossible without therapy, but in some circumstances it may be harder. Some people can make do with the coping mechanisms you find through internet searches and others need help narrowing down what works best and how to implement it. There are other people who will receive very little benefit from therapy by virtue of the format not fitting them or their problems well. Our solutions really depend on our problems, so there isn't one best answer.

 

[Angi]

Recovery better be possible without therapy. As far as I understand, therapy is about untangling your own brain enough to be able to help yourself. If your brain is already sufficiently functional to tackle your problems, I see no reason to use therapy. Now, my brain would reliably make me worse before I tried therapy, it definitely needs some untangling to be "user-friendly".

Maybe you can give it a go, see if it feels right for you? Do leave if you do not like your therapist, though, chemistry is critical here.

I agree that "go to therapy" gets used as "get your problems out of my sight". This is sad. People get to have problems. At the same time, many people are not equipped to deal with other people's problems, so maybe suggesting therapy is a benign exit?

I think part of the reason it's a lot of people's go to suggestion is that suicide is a lot. To get to the point where you want to die a lot is happening and theoretically a professional would be best for navigating that. In practice there are bad actors and therapists who just don't mesh with people well, but the idea of "I do not know what to do with this and I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, so maybe we should bring in someone who is trained for this" isn't a bad or selfish instinct. And there are therapists who are legitimately helpful. It's just. Finding them and being able to afford it.

On the subject of recovery, I don't think it's by any means impossible without therapy, but in some circumstances it may be harder. Some people can make do with the coping mechanisms you find through internet searches and others need help narrowing down what works best and how to implement it. There are other people who will receive very little benefit from therapy by virtue of the format not fitting them or their problems well. Our solutions really depend on our problems, so there isn't one best answer.

You said what I meant to say in cleaner words, and you even typed it faster than me!

 

[WhatPowerIs]

I see. Then therapy could work out positively for you. Are you contemplating trying? You seem to know that therapy hasn't given positive results for other people, but it may just work for you. It doens't hurt to try. Is it very expensive where you live?

Costs are definitely one thing. I don't have a job and I don't feel totally comfortable with asking my parents to send me to therapy. My parents are religious and I fear their response will be to tell me to look more into our religion instead. I don't know. I totally understand why so many people seek out therapists and I think one might work for me but I suppose I have a lot of anxiety about it all.

I think part of the reason it's a lot of people's go to suggestion is that suicide is a lot. To get to the point where you want to die a lot is happening and theoretically a professional would be best for navigating that. In practice there are bad actors and therapists who just don't mesh with people well, but the idea of "I do not know what to do with this and I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, so maybe we should bring in someone who is trained for this" isn't a bad or selfish instinct. And there are therapists who are legitimately helpful. It's just. Finding them and being able to afford it.

On the subject of recovery, I don't think it's by any means impossible without therapy, but in some circumstances it may be harder. Some people can make do with the coping mechanisms you find through internet searches and others need help narrowing down what works best and how to implement it. There are other people who will receive very little benefit from therapy by virtue of the format not fitting them or their problems well. Our solutions really depend on our problems, so there isn't one best answer.

Wonderfully put response that I definitely agree with. No, not a bad or selfish instinct at all, therapists can be good at guiding you for when you're totally lost - maybe therapists can definitely be right for me in that sense, maybe recovery is just that much harder?

 

[Julgran]

Costs are definitely one thing. I don't have a job and I don't feel totally comfortable with asking my parents to send me to therapy. My parents are religious and I fear their response will be to tell me to look more into our religion instead. I don't know. I totally understand why so many people seek out therapists and I think one might work for me but I suppose I have a lot of anxiety about it all.

It's completely acceptable to have doubts about therapy. Have a long sit-down with yourself and think it through

In case you can get the money for therapy, you don't need to feel obliged to tell your parents about it, if you do decide to try it.

 

[WhatPowerIs]

It's completely acceptable to have doubts about therapy. Have a long sit-down with yourself and think it through

In case you can get the money for therapy, you don't need to feel obliged to tell your parents about it, if you do decide to try it.

Thank you so much and I'll keep your advice in mind. I suppose I could go to Google for this but since I'm here now what is the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and a psychiatrist? For a long time I figured they were three different words for the same thing but I'm assuming a psychologist is more interested in learning how your brain works and prescribing medication for it? Am I on the right track?

 

[Julgran]

Thank you so much and I'll keep your advice in mind. I suppose I could go to Google for this but since I'm here now what is the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and a psychiatrist? For a long time I figured they were three different words for the same thing but I'm assuming a psychologist is more interested in learning how your brain works and prescribing medication for it? Am I on the right track?

Don't stress it. Keep a lookout here and see what other members here say. All the options that you mentioned may be beneficial to you if they improve your health.

 

[ghqkiiia2]

Thank you so much and I'll keep your advice in mind. I suppose I could go to Google for this but since I'm here now what is the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and a psychiatrist? For a long time I figured they were three different words for the same thing but I'm assuming a psychologist is more interested in learning how your brain works and prescribing medication for it? Am I on the right track?

A therapist is a person who "talk" with you and give you some advise, like many movie showed.
A psychiatrist is a doctor who chooses psychosis as profession, and has the right to give you prescription drugs.
In different countries , the laws may required different license and training between a therapist and a psychiatrist, so in some countries, a psychologist is often also a therapist, while in other countries these two professions were usually carried out by different people.

 

[WhatPowerIs]

A therapist is a person who "talk" with you and give you some advise, like many movie showed.
A psychiatrist is a doctor who chooses psychosis as profession, and has the right to give you prescription drugs.
In different countries , the laws may required different license and training between a therapist and a psychiatrist, so in some countries, a psychologist is often also a therapist, while in other countries these two professions were usually carried out by different people.

Thank you for clarifying the distinction between these two. Seems like a therapist is what I need, but a therapist is also able to prescribe my anti-depressants as well, right?

 

[JealousOfTheElderly]

Yes, I believe there is. For me, therapy made me feel worse. Every therapist, psychologist, counselor, psychiatrist or what have you has made me feel worse. I'm semi recovered on my own.

 

[ghqkiiia2]

Thank you for clarifying the distinction between these two. Seems like a therapist is what I need, but a therapist is also able to prescribe my anti-depressants as well, right?

Depends on which country you currently live in. In any case, you can ask him/her when calling to schedule your first meeting.

 

[je.suis.prêt]

I don't think I'm suffering from any external problems, none that I can identify anyway, it's all internal - loneliness, self loathing, image issues and things of that nature

For what it's worth, I have similar issues, and saw a therapist for a while. I'm not really the type of person to verbalise my problems, but I thought I'd take a leap and see what would happen if I opened up, because I was really struggling at the time, and all my other coping mechanisms were running flat.

It was a little uncomfortable, but over time, I began to feel somewhat comfortable with sharing my problems. Verbalising your issues and worries can be somewhat…

…what's the word?

…therapeutic! (duh!)

Sharing your problems and feeling — not just being — listened to is a basic human desire that is often unmet. The same way that being on SS somewhat validates our emotions, talking therapy does the same. Plus, the therapist won't just tell you how to fix it, and just smile and nod, you will explore your thoughts with them.

I often wrote up a bullet list of key points I wanted To bring up, that helped me to get talking.

Do make sure you find the right one, too. Somebody who you feel understands you.

Varsågod,
JSP

 

[deathbylife]

A lot of people at this time are existentially upset because of the state of the world. Talk therapy can help ground a person, as well as delve into any other "internal" issues. An unbiased, non- religious ear is something I have found to be exceedingly helpful.

 

[Soulless Angel]

I am being forced into therapy, I will do it to shut people up, I had ventured and explored it, and was debating it, but now its an option that is out of my hands, but that aside, I have learned to cope on my own, reading my own books, researching CPTSD and reading into the mind, and why it does what it does, I have looked into actions and reactions to those actions, and how certain mental health issues cause us to act differently to the normal every day person, But the deepest root of the problem, is part I can't heal, and apparently need that professional therapist to *talk* me through it.
I have read for many on here, it has not helped, I do wonder though if its our own mind set preventing us from healing fully, regardless of the help offered. If you are so set on CTB as your end path, then what is the point of talking through those issues, esp if it causes you to get worse before the road turns. ~
If CTB thoughts are just a passing moment, then therapy and talking through the issues surrounding, will prob be very beneficial for someone

 

[Marine]

In my experience people recover because of life changes, not therapy.
Therapy is one tool to shed light on things and get advice, as well as have someone to talk to if you have no one else, though I've found that trustworthy friends are more helpful, IF the therapist is actually competent and understands what you're going through and what you need, more often you'd have to go to a psychologist rather than a psychiatrist for that, and make sure they have good knowledge of complex trauma, which unfortunately is rare.

What I've found to be truly healing is substantial bonds, that's number one, no replacement possible, having people who care and are there for you makes you exist and gives you a place in the world. Nothing else can take the place of that, not your mind, not spiritual enlightenment, not nature, not therapy, really nothing. Love and fulfilling relationships are our number one nourishment and condition to flourish and feel secure, it's directly linked to our life expectancy and susceptibility to disease.

Then spending time in nature, at the very least outside in the sun, in a park, or at a cafe's terrace and feeling the connection to the natural world is also a key way to reconnect with ourselves and feel how we belong to a greater interconnected whole.

Working on understanding and helping yourself with free online resources, books, seminars / conferences and just conversations sometimes is also very helpful and can make you understand even more than therapy would, plus learning a lot about the world, what we're influenced by, how we work, the hidden stuff only few people talk about etc.

Having a fulfilling environment to live and work in is another key factor. A healthy, aligned, well balanced lifestyle in harmony with our original nature is linked to that.

Then there's your sense of purpose, what we want to make out of our human experience, our dreams, goals and deep aspirations in relation to making a positive impact on the people around us, and by extension the world. And our spiritual experience.

The issue I've found for people like us is usually that there are obstacles to these fundamental and necessary things and so far I haven't found people who actually researched how to overcome said, often invisible, obstacles, but I keep searching for it anyway and working on all of these areas to the best of your ability helps regardless, so I can only hope it eventually leads to a breakthrough if one believes and persists enough...

 

[Someone123]

I do think that's it's easier to recover without therapy for many people, therapists do have a big profit incentive to make recovery go as slow as possible.

 

[Ethereal Knight]

therapy did nothing for me. was the same as a sugar pill. I highly suspect therapy is a scam and psychology is not scientific.

 

[Someone123]

therapy did nothing for me. was the same as a sugar pill. I highly suspect therapy is a scam and psychology is not scientific.

I think you're pretty close for most cases, though there are cases where a therapist really understands a person's problems and really helps them to get better. I suspect that this happens in 10% - 20% of cases or less based on from what I have heard over the years.

 

[western_heart]

I essentially use drugs to do self-therapy. some therapy techniques can be applied on your own, but I kind of make things up as I go. A big part of my recovery has been through journaling while on introspective dissociative drug experiences. I've had transformative moments where I reprocessed traumatic memories etc.

 

[Ethereal Knight]

 

[WhatPowerIs]

In my experience people recover because of life changes, not therapy.
Therapy is one tool to shed light on things and get advice, as well as have someone to talk to if you have no one else, though I've found that trustworthy friends are more helpful, IF the therapist is actually competent and understands what you're going through and what you need

It breaks my heart when I hear that people are not able to turn to any trustworthy friends or family when they are going through these issues. I am one of those people. This idea that I have to pay somebody to start feeling a little bit better about my life because I'm venting to them is kind of revolting to me, but I guess I'll have to swallow my pride and suck it up if I want to pursue therapy.

Thank you again everybody for your insightful and helpful responses, I do very much feel like this forum has helped me feel less alone, but in a way this forum is the best club that nobody wants to join.

 

[Marine]

It breaks my heart when I hear that people are not able to turn to any trustworthy friends or family when they are going through these issues. I am one of those people. This idea that I have to pay somebody to start feeling a little bit better about my life because I'm venting to them is kind of revolting to me, but I guess I'll have to swallow my pride and suck it up if I want to pursue therapy.

Thank you again everybody for your insightful and helpful responses, I do very much feel like this forum has helped me feel less alone, but in a way this forum is the best club that nobody wants to join.

Thank you

This system is indeed broken. It hasn't been designed with people's well being in mind. Your indignation is rightful. I'm in the same boat as you though I've given up on therapy so far after 20+ years (I started as a child) since I just can't find someone who gets and helps me now, and it's not really what I need anyway, and am looking for a way to make friends and find a partner but am struggling for now because the plandemic destroyed close to every avenue I had.

I think your best bet would be to find a mutual help group or a club / association based on your interests, plus frequenting bars, cafes, conferences, concerts, game nights etc if you have that possibility.

By default this site helps a little, though I wish I could meet people of the same age group IRL.

 

[WhatPowerIs]

I think your best bet would be to find a mutual help group or a club / association based on your interests, plus frequenting bars, cafes, conferences, concerts, game nights etc if you have that possibility.

By default this site helps a little, though I wish I could meet people of the same age group IRL.

I don't do much of anything so going for a walk or something like that would at least help me ease my anxiety a bit more.

 

[ghqkiiia2]

It breaks my heart when I hear that people are not able to turn to any trustworthy friends or family when they are going through these issues. I am one of those people. This idea that I have to pay somebody to start feeling a little bit better about my life because I'm venting to them is kind of revolting to me, but I guess I'll have to swallow my pride and suck it up if I want to pursue therapy.

Sounds great, hope you'll be better soon.
But as a reminder, psychiatrist and therapist are not god.
There are so many types of anti depression drugs, and even you were lucky enough to find the right one, statically, it would take 3-8 weeks to let the drug reaches the proper concentration to starting treating you.
Finding the right therapists is usually harder than finding the right pills.
Just keep an open mind and your chance of being better would be better.
Wish you well and good luck!

 

[user_name_here]

If you're suicidal or have ideation, I would highly recommend to at least give therapy a try. It can help you learn more about yourself and where certain feelings/behaviours stem from.

 

[WhatPowerIs]

Sounds great, hope you'll be better soon.
But as a reminder, psychiatrist and therapist are not god.
There are so many types of anti depression drugs, and even you were lucky enough to find the right one, statically, it would take 3-8 weeks to let the drug reaches the proper concentration to starting treating you.
Finding the right therapists is usually harder than finding the right pills.
Just keep an open mind and your chance of being better would be better.
Wish you well and good luck!

I don't remember if it was somebody in this thread or another thread, but they posted about how it took them more than 5 years (I think the number was 8 years) to find the right therapist. I commend them for trying until the very end but I actually hope I can end up getting one on the first try, if I do ever manage to get into therapy. I'll try to keep it all in mind but I still feel very apprehensive about it all.