Guest jan-marie Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Does anyone have any experience with cognitive behavioral therapy? It was recently recommended to us as an alternative to traditional medications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chemar Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 HI what was the cognitive behavioral therapy recommended for? If for something like OCD, then yes, I have heard of good results when it is done by the right therapist.......do be warned that there are some questionable therapists too and you certainly want to avoid anyone who does not display a gentle and compasionate nature. it is also best to also follow a good supplement program in conjunction with the CBT If this was recommended for tics I personally would NOT do it.....tics are a neurological phenomenon, whether related to TS or other factors or triggers, and I have heard serious reports of psycological disturbances caused to children when treatment involves supression of their tics, or attempts to "correct" their tics by this kind of methodology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 As Chemar said for OCD yes. I have read a number of books that cog. beh therapy can strenghten the ability to resist impulses over time. That giving in only makes it harder to resist, and the cycle can be broken to some degree. Though I don't think it is talked about as a cure, just a big help. I posted elsewhere that it is odd that this same approach is indeed considered harmful for TS, because sometimes it is a challenge to distinguish between a tic and a compulsion--e.g. touching tics, and it is a bit scary to think that someone might be doing harm when trying to help. I figure that as the child gets older they can 'feel' the difference for themselves. If they must do the urge or they think something bad will happen, or must touch something a certain number of times, then it would be more of an OCD thing. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Our son's tics are not too bad and don't bother him too much. The focus here would be on anxiety and related impulsiveness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Hi, Well, then if it is for anxiety/impulse, then yes cognitivie behavioral therapy is supposed to be effective for many. The idea is identification (this is an urge/intrusive thought), delay (how long can I keep from doing this, and try to improve the time, and distraction (do something else if possible). I think it is very difficult. Fun active projects (depending on age...digging in the garden, building sand castles, a sport) do help a bit. Exercise raises serotonin levels. They have books on this, and I personally would read before getting a counselor. At least you know what they are doing, and if you have an open relationship with your child, you can try it out. My brother sent his son to a counselor and the counselor was worthless--I am sorry to report. I am sure that some are great--they need a proven track record. You may also wish to look simultaneously for environmental, food or underlying health factors that might be aggravating. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jan-marie Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Thanks, Claire. We are looking into all different avenues. What is the title of the book you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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