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Working on Treatment Goals - A Big Challenge

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Working on Treatment Goals - A Big Challenge

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 619

It seems session 4 and 5 are around the same topics: writing treatment goals and exposure planning. I am still on this sessions, did some exposure work and have been doing small modifications of the initial exposure plans. I think this is normal, as it is said, and I am taking my time to work more on sessions 4 and 5.

I think that developing the skills for working on this sessions would be very useful also on other aspects of life. I always had a problems with writing goals for myself. One of my main difficulties was thinking what I could be doing in the long term, for example in 1 year ahead. I got very frustrated because I couldn't even write objectives for the short term, so 1 year was unthinkable.

Now I am practicing goal setting for a period of 8 weeks with the treatment goals. I haven't been doing exposure work everyday but I did at least 5 exposure activities on the last 2 weeks. What I keep reminding myself is to not get overwhelmed because if it happen I quit doing exposure activities. On the other hand if I keep lazy I do not do any exposure work.

I think the answer is the middle term. This is what I will try to accomplish on the following weeks:

- Do everyday some exposure work even if it is an activity with low anxiety levels

- Review every week treatment goals and exposure plans and modify it according to previous experience

I hope I will start getting better with goal setting. The main challenge for me is to work on the treatment goals without getting obsessed or lazy about them. I have to find the balance needed.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi Eleveno,

First of all congratulations, you said writing down treatment goals gives you anxiety and you have already completed that first step! CBT takes time and each success should be celebrated. You might find it helpful to break down these large goals to smaller more manageable goals. Try to follow the SMART acronym for goals:

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Achievable

R - Resonant

T - Time stamped

We will be right here for you every step of the way. Try not to get overwhelmed and post often! You are doing great.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

This is a very good attitude. Some people have difficulty giving themselves permission to slow down. This may be a problem because it will increase your anxiety level especially if you feel guilty thinking you aren't doing all you can do to fix it. This is not a set back, it is working at an acceptable rate for you right now. Remember that your body is physically exhausted and needs a break. You're not ignoring the problem, you are preparing yourself for a successful exposure. Although it is a 12-wk. program that's learning theory and some practice. The actual amount of time, is what it may take you. Everyone is different and also depends on how ingrained the root is.

Davit

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 619

I am in session 4 and this is a very challenge session for me. I also understand that is one of most useful sessions of this program. Even the fact of thinking and writing down possible treatment goals cause me anxiety.

Now I am developing the treatment goals and I am seeing that this will take me more time than expected. One of the goals that I have is to be around places that reminds me my old job (where I had a nervous breakdown) and I already developed an exposure plan for this goal.

Another treatment goal is to deal with stressful situations. My worst anxiety and depression episodes are triggered by stressful situations or thoughts. I am developing an exposures plan for this goal and I need to be careful to not expose myself to very stressful situations until I get better.

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Working on Treatment Goals - A Big Challenge