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CBT Experiences

Goofyball

Hi, I hope everyone's having a good day. I'm giving therapy a try and something that my therapist is proposing is CBT. I've heard of it but don't know a lot about it, or if it's any good. . . My therapist is experienced in autism though, so I'm hoping she can help me as I haven't left my home grounds in about 5 years (I don't mind at all!) but my parents are wanting me to get help. . . I'm perfectly happy and content personally though the anxiety can be crippling at times. When I feel anxious I like to go to my workshop and work on my Audi or watch one of my favourite shows.

Autism and anxiety, seems you cannot have one without the other, which is a shame as being autistic is something I mostly enjoy and am proud to be. I'm hoping CBT can reduce some anxious tendencies I have. If you have experience of it please feel free to share how it went, mine will be on Tuesday, though my therapist has said it's not a problem if I'm not up to it. She's a lovely woman, more than understanding and patient of my problems and situations.

  • CBT Blush

    I keep misreading things.  I thought you meant ECT Disappointed relieved

  • I have had CBT with two different counsellors. It was not that helpful with the first person but it was better with the second person. The most important thing is that she is patient and understanding and you connect well. Then it is really just a slightly structured way of having a conversation, about how to deal with anxiety. It sounds like you are getting on well with her so far and that is a really good sign.

    I didn't like it much with the other counsellor, now I realise that she was much too quick to disregard my worries as `catastrophising' and tell me it's the wrong way to think (a bit patronising) instead of taking the effort to properly understand me. In fact there were real issues in my life at that point and I was not particularly catastrophising. A good counsellor/therapist should always take the time to properly see things from your perspective.

  • Hi - both me and my son have had CBT this year. For me it was really helpful, but my son doesn’t feel his therapist has helped him much at all. We’re both autistic, and neither of our therapists were specialists in autism.

    give it a try and see how it goes. I think sometimes it can be a matter of whether or not there is a good ‘fit’ between patient and therapist. I think I was lucky with mine - she seemed so understanding and the things she suggested really helped. Good luck!

  • It was through CBT that I learned the psychiatrist I was seeing thought I was autistic. Not sure if it was a slip up on the CBT therapists part but the psychiatrist would later confirm I definitely had ASD. I only started seeing a psychiatrist because I suffer with major depressive disorder. The CBT it's self didn't do much for me but it might open a door for you. It all depends on the individual.

  • Hi Goofy 

    I am afraid that I tried CBT lots of times but it didn't do anything for me - it turns out that my issues are more rooted in trauma though than anything else and this means that it needs a different approach. 

    I also struggle terribly with anxiety and since the pandemic, have also become pretty agoraphobic if I'm honest. It is nice your parents want to support you though and your therapist sounds lovely. 

    I suppose I don't have anything useful to say other than just well done for getting help and I am really happy that you are generally happy (aside from the anxiety). 

    :)

  • Hii Goofyball

    welcome to the community.

    It sounds like you have a very understanding therapist who is understanding of autism to some extent that's rare so hang on to her don't let her escape! Lol XD 

    I've not tried CBT but my cousin did and she found it beneficial in a lot of ways as she often struggled with anxious thoughts

    The CBT though she found it stressful at first did help her and in the end she had a lot more control of the anxiety

    It probably doesn't work for everyone but I think you've got everything to gain and nothing to lose in giving it a try! :–) 

    Good luck I hope you find it helpful ^^

  • in reply to Deleted User

    I'm hoping it will be a positive experience. I've tried medication before, but that had an adverse effect - I felt worse and eventually came off of it, the physical side effects weren't great either. My therapist says we can explore my options so I guess it will be a case of wait and see, and what works and what doesn't.

  • From my experience it depends what the cause is of the anxiety that you are treating. It depends on how the treatment can be adapted for you. It depends on how much of an understanding of autism your therapist has or if they are autistic themselves.  I've found a sort of "acceptance therapy" via counselling to be far more beneficial but everyone is different.

  • Goofyball said:
    Autism and anxiety, seems you cannot have one without the other, which is a shame as being autistic is something I mostly enjoy and am proud to be

    I am sorry this is your experience but anxiety is definitely not part of autistic experience or a result of being autistic. Anxiety is a result of an unsuitable environment for your autistic brain.

    Below I have posted a link to the book ‘Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults’ by Luke Beardon. It’s based on his brilliant golden equation- Autism + Environment = Outcome.

    Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults: A Guide for Autistic Wellbeing https://amzn.eu/d/j8b6kn0

    I hope this helps!