Thoughts on CBT?

[char16]

Hi all! Was just wondering if anyone has had CBT, and your thoughts and experiences of it? I'm on the waiting list at the moment, although HV has said I may be waiting a while. Would love to hear of anyone who has had CBT. Did you find it helpful at all? And how long we're you on the waiting list for? Have also been prescribed Citalopram, but am nervous about taking it due to the side effects, as partner doesn't know I've been given them, and don't really want him to know

[juppster]

Hi there
For me personally, the combination of cbt and medication worked wonders! I really had to push for the cbt and actually funded it privately for about a year until i kicked up a bit of a stink with my local mental health team and then received 14 months worth of free therapy! Obviously everywhere is different but if you are really struggling it may be worth contacting them directly either by phone or letter. As for the side effects of the citalopram if you start out taking a low dose they should be fairly minimal and manageable and last for around a couple of weeks. Do you think it is something you could talk to your partner about? I found the more people I confided in, the easier the illness was to manage xx Good luck xx

[char16]

Thanks for that juppster. The doc has prescribed me 20mg to start with, but am going to ask HV about maybe taking half in morning and half at night to start with, and see if that's any better for me. I was prescribed 20mg Paroxetine at first, but found the side effects to much to deal with. I was like a zombie!
As for talking to my partner, I have tried before, but he basically told me there's nothing wrong with you, get on with it (although this was before I was officially diagnosed with PND). I might try talking to him again about it.
On the plus side, I've got a mum and sister that are really supportive, and a great HV, who has also suffered from PND, so I know that she understands what I'm going through. Having found this site really helps too, because I know that I still have people to talk to, without having to see anyone face to face if I'm having a bad day x

[monica]

Hi

I attended a course on pnd when I was I'll and some cbt techniques were covered. They really helped me tackle the negative thought patterns that were very much part of this illness for me. Can be a pain waiting fr this on nhs but try calling you never know there might be cancellation.

Try not to let the side effects of Meds put you off. Reading the blurb cam be very off-putting but they list all the side effects including g the worst ones. Most people don't get these. It is common to feel worse initially, but after a bit things should start to improve. That was my experience. Why don't you try telling your oh again? Maybe get hv to talk to him. Many people who dont understand this illness say pull yourself together especially if there are no visible signs illness. Also if you tell how you'd like him to help you he might find that easier to understand.

Monica