Thought Diary

[Gerard]

My counsellor has given me a thought diary to complete. It's a template with some instructions, e.g., 'write about a situation or event in which you were upset/distressed. Record the situation. Write down the the words that best describe your feelings. Activating event, beliefs, consequences, unhelpful thinking patterns'.

I've never done anything like this before. Is it useful?

[split]

I had to do similar things when I did CBt when I was younger. I found it helpful in identifying what topics/situations made me anxious/uncomfortable so that I could try to start addressing them. It worked in part because it encouraged me to leave home, but I still have a number fixation and a long list me phobias... So I guess its effectiveness depends on whether the things you would be writing about could be changed.

[Skye]

I had to do one and it did help to work through although I had to work really hard to keep things honest and open 

[Nightowl]

We did something similiar, called chain analysis, at the TC.

It was done after an episode of what was called a self defeating behaviour and helped to look at what had happened and how we could make it have a different outcome in the future.

[unknown_member]

i've done this whilse receiving CBT too.. and it really helping me, i still use some of the techniques today xx

[Gerard]

Thanks for your posts. I'm not too worried about disclosing things, including very personal thoughts. I can see that there's a logic to the template she gave me. I've yet to sit down and complete it, though I've jotted down some thoughts. Also have to rank their intensity.

Do you feel it had a long-term impact?

[split]

At the time... I think it did a bit. But long term, they realised I was disociative not depressed.

I think when incorporated into therapies like cbt it can be beneficial to pick out thought patterns and spirals so that they can be broken.

Don't think it could do much harm to get thoughts and feelings.

[Faded~Lady]

I am struggling to do one right  now

[Gerard]

I've had one appointment based on this, it was understandably slow, but I didn't hold back. Also, she said we're using to use some resources to tackle the thoughts, which I was glad to hear, otherwise you could sit and talk about them forever and not get anywhere. Resources are key.