Anxiety therapy doesn't work as well in elderly

By Reuters 

A form of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy appears to help older adults battle anxiety disorders slightly better than other approaches, but not as well as in younger adults, according to a new study.

"Cognitive behavioral therapy is the mainstay for treating anxiety disorders in younger adults. Its lower effect in older adults in this study is concerning," said Dr.

Picking a therapist

By Chicago Tribune

"Being in therapy is great," comedian Caroline Rhea once joked. "I spend an hour just talking about myself. It's kinda like being the guy on a date."

It's not a bad analogy -- the dating one -- when you're setting out to find a therapist. You want someone with whom you can spend an hour week after week; someone with whom you can be vulnerable; someone you trust and respect.

Is therapy obsolete?

By St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.

The use of antidepressant drugs rose dramatically over the last 20 years, according to a national study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that since 1988, the use of antidepressant drugs like Prozac and Zoloft has risen nearly 400 percent. The most frequent users are people between 18 and 24.
Missouri mental health professionals gave a few

From the Couch to the Computer: A New Take on Therapy

By HealthDay 

Texting, webcams and instant chat might seem like innovations best suited to passing along teenage gossip, but medical researchers are discovering their usefulness in helping people with psychological disorders.

The new communication technologies have helped in the treatment of people with anxiety and depression, according to recent research. Patients have been able to better

Cognitive Therapy Helps Depressed Drug Abusers

By HealthDay

A new study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy -- a type of therapy oriented toward problem-solving -- may help the depressed in residential treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

Many people with substance disorders and depression fail to receive treatment for both conditions. "The consequences of this unmet need are great," the study authors write. "The

Psychotherapy Linked to Healthier Stress Hormone Levels

By HealthDay

As a component of depression treatment, psychotherapy not only reduces anxiety, but also improves patients' stress hormone levels, new research shows.

The study, published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, found that when pharmacotherapy is combined with psychotherapy in treating depressed patients, there is an improvement in their levels of the stress

I quit the group "therapy"

I quit the domestic violence group "therapy." I didn't see a point to going to it. The group leader was so bad and disrespectful. When people talk, she won't even pay attention. She was constantly texting, checking the clock, writing down stuff that had nothing to do with the group or what someone was talking about. She allowed three people to dominate all the conversation with everyone else

How my first therapy session went...

My first session of the domestic violence/rape group therapy didn't go all that well for me on Monday. I was disappointed. Basically, there were three really annoying women in the group who would not shut up. They kept interrupting everyone else when they talked. They kept rambling on and on and on about their personal dramas and wouldn't let anyone else talk. Then when someone else would start

About to start therapy

Tomorrow I am starting my group therapy, which will be based on recovery from domestic violence and rape. I'm nervous about it. I have been nervous about it for days, well actually weeks. I'm not sure how I am going to feel talking about all the past abuse in my life in front of a large group of people. It's a 16-week program. I am praying that it does more good than harm. Normally I don't

Activities to help you avoid relapsing

I was roaming around the internet for worksheets to help me therapy-wise and found this list of activities people may enjoy when they're feeling relapse symptoms for any variety of mental issues (from substance abuse, self-harm, depression to borderline to OCD and so forth). The hope is that the activities will keep you from drinking, doing drugs, self-harming, or just thinking negative things.

My therapy will start April 1 (hopefully)

I finally got a call back pretty late on Thursday about the domestic violence/rape counseling. An intake appointment was set up for April 1st. Anyone else think it's funny that I'm going to enter the counseling program on April Fools Day?

Well I guess I won't for sure be entering the program. They have to evaluate me to see if they think I'm a "right fit" for the program. I don't know how I

Depression is often successfully treated by talk therapy

By Los Angeles Times

Depression is a common illness, and there are many forms of treatment. While antidepressant medications are highly popular and often work well, patients should not underestimate the power of non-pharmaceutical approaches.

In a study published Wednesday, researchers reviewed the scientific literature on a type of talk therapy called interpersonal psychotherapy. This is talk