I know I do not post much. Typing not good for my rheumatoid. I just read something that stated the most successful treatments for fibro based on medical studies: Aerobic exercise (walking), stretching or yoga, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). So I go and purchase a book called " Managing pain with cognitive behavioral therapy" Turns out it is meant to be used with a companion book that requires a therapist to do with u. Not much of a "self help" book.
Has anyone used a CBT book for pain that they like.
Yes that sounds like a disappointing purchase. I don't know how CBT would work to reduce pain, unless one is so out of touch with needed lifestyle changes. Physical pain is physical, so I really don't see how the cognitive/behavioral part fits in. We all have some ability to distance ourselves from the experience of pain, but in my opinion it has to be a well-rounded medical and holistic approach.
Isn't a CBT approach for pain a way of saying "it's all in your head"??? Take care, & don't give up.
P.S. I do believe that a small degree of aerobics (walking) and stretching are very beneficial, but the effort has to be modest! There are always exceptions to this advice. I mean some people are just too sick and lying around is actually better in a few cases. If one is able to tolerate lots of intensity aerobics then in all likelihood they don't have FM or CFS or any other chronic illness. I could be wrong though. What do you think?
I think you have a misconception on CBT. Maybe I am wrong. This treatment has been around since the 50's and here in Philadelphia we have a major center for CBT counseling. CBT is NOT lifestyle change. It is examining your thoughts in a problem area. FOr ex: I used it many years for depression. When I felt depressed I would write down my thoughts-what I was telling myself, if there were physical symptoms involved like palpitations, loss of concentration, Headache....then you basically replace the negative thoughts with a more emotionally neutral thought. This is simplistic. I refer you to a book which was recommended to me when I had my first psych admit: FEELING GOOD by David Burns who studyed under Aaron Beck-the father of CBT. I go to a CBT lay group called Recovery Inc. http://www.lowselfhelpsystems.org/ Check out the web site. It might help.
Katha (Katherine Shade) said:
Hi Fibrokitty,
Yes that sounds like a disappointing purchase. I don't know how CBT would work to reduce pain, unless one is so out of touch with needed lifestyle changes. Physical pain is physical, so I really don't see how the cognitive/behavioral part fits in. We all have some ability to distance ourselves from the experience of pain, but in my opinion it has to be a well-rounded medical and holistic approach.
Isn't a CBT approach for pain a way of saying "it's all in your head"??? Take care, & don't give up.
So what you're saying is CBT helps relieve the negative emotional component associated with illness? Then I agree there is value in it, because there is that mind component to the physical.
Still, the physical pain must be tolerable for one to even begin to think about thinking!
I think on some level I've been working on my thoughts about my suffering, I just don't do it in a formal way. I guess my approach has been to look to the spiritual to change my perceptions of what's going on. But the principle is like CBT. And I do try to change my thoughts too.
I'm a big believer in bibliotherapy for those who like to read. It helps to get a better understanding and hear others' stories. Thanks for sharing - blessings, Katha
Katha....I am very into my faith and it is a huge component of my treatment plan. But CBT is a nice addition. I looked on AMazon last night and did a search for CBT but a book popped up that had bibliotherapy in the title...perhaps it is a book for people with chronic pain if u want to check it out.
Maria Katha (Katherine Shade) said:
So what you're saying is CBT helps relieve the negative emotional component associated with illness? Then I agree there is value in it, because there is that mind component to the physical.
Still, the physical pain must be tolerable for one to even begin to think about thinking!
I think on some level I've been working on my thoughts about my suffering, I just don't do it in a formal way. I guess my approach has been to look to the spiritual to change my perceptions of what's going on. But the principle is like CBT. And I do try to change my thoughts too.
I'm a big believer in bibliotherapy for those who like to read. It helps to get a better understanding and hear others' stories. Thanks for sharing - blessings, Katha
i understand that concern but if u read my reply to Katha it might clear things up.
SarahW said:
I see a therapist weekly but that is more for depression. We do occasionally talk about ways to manage pain that are more lifestyle changes. I'm not quite sure how CBT would work if you were mainly concentrating on the pain.
There is value in working on thoughts associated with either physical pain or depression. I believe some people can arrive at healthier connections between the thoughts and pain with or without CBT, so I understand your wanting a book. There must be some that don't require a therapist's participation.
Replacing despairing thoughts with neutral or positive ones is very important and I have made some progress on my own with that. I do not feel strong enough to deal with a therapist, however. It takes time and extra energy. I've done that a lot in the past.
Bibliotherapy (I thought) was just a general word for reading as it applies to well-being. It can be applied to any problem. - Blessings, Katherine
Maybe the CBT is to keep your mind excercised. I know between my fibro, my CFS, and my MDD I have lost a significant amount. I can no longer add or subtract, much less multiply or divide and a lot of days can't read or spell part of the time. Excercising my brain is something I try to do.
You know...CBT is becoming the "new" thing, even though it has been around since the 50's. The reason I know this is because i go to a support group for people with any mental illness and we use the theories of a man who practiced CBT in the 50's If you want to know more about this check out the website https://www.lowselfhelpsystems.org/
As far as the brain exercise, maybe we should do a google search for recent clinical trials. Did u ever do that. You type in the subject followed by a comma and the word professional....fibromyalgia memory problems, professional.
Thanks for the links and info --- I just found this thread -- I'm starting CBT soon, and I have no clue what to expect -- when I've gone to therapy before, the therapists were not good - at all - so i'm trying again !