Hi dubious66, Yes, you can utilize the program for these feelings too. The important thing is that you use it so that it is most meaningful to you. Casey _________________________________ The Depression Center Support Team

Since the assumption is thoughts and behavior control mood, this program's tools should be applicable to managing not just the lows/depressive episodes, but also the highs/manic episodes. Right?

Dubious66, Well, there is a biological link but behavior will either encourage or deter your natural biology. A lot of people with depression feel stuck but we'll help you start moving forward again! Danielle ___________________________________ The Depression Center Support Team

Melanie, thanks for the program information. You mention spiralling a couple of times. That doesn't happen for me. Whether it's the lows, or the highs for that matter, it's like someone has flipped a switch. Life is fine for months, even years, and then suddenly the vascillations just hit fast and hard. No change in life circumstances necessarily precipitates. I am happy to hear that you believe that this program can help prevent these episodes though. I've been arguing with professionals for some time now that I should be able to think and behave myself out of this. They keep yammering biology...

dubious66, In this program we’ll teach you techniques to help you cope with stress, solve problems and manage relationships. However, our main goal for the next 16 sessions is to help you to learn how to understand and challenge your negative downward spirals. Most people who are depressed want to change how they feel. They want to feel better. It makes sense that people usually want to jump right in and start trying to change how they feel. In this program we’ll spend a lot of time asking you to think about and explore your feelings. However, in CBT we don’t spend a lot of time trying to convince you to change how you feel. That is because feelings just “are” and they’re difficult to change directly. For example, if you’re feeling sad, angry or frightened those feelings are true for you, and are difficult to challenge. When you say “I’m sad” it doesn't’t make a lot of sense for someone else to say “no you aren't’t” or “you just shouldn't’t feel that way.” Challenging feelings usually doesn't’t work very well. But the good news is that thoughts and behaviors can be tested and challenged. More importantly for depressed people, testing and challenging how you think and behave can change how you feel! In the “cognitive” part of this program you’ll learn how to identify, understand, and challenge your negative thoughts. By examining your negative thoughts, you’ll learn to stop your negative downward spirals. In the behavior part of this program you’ll learn how to identify and challenge the behaviors that contribute to your negative downward spirals. You’ll learn to reduce problem behavior such as social withdrawal and increase positive behaviors such as doing things that make you feel good. You’ll also be in control of how you’re going to experiment with new behaviors. And finally, you’ll learn to do behavioral experiments in a step-by-step, structured, and systematic way that works for you. Our members and moderators are here to support you and help you understand your depression. Please feel free to continue to express your thoughts and concerns within our support group. Melanie _____________________________________ The Depression Center Support Team

Although I am very familiar with the relationship among thoughts, behavior and feelings during typical times, during episodes, thoughts and behavior definitely have a reduced impact on my feelings. Although I am in a depressive state, my symptoms actually fall under BP1. My thought distortions fall in the "typical" range and I know to fight the urge to isolate and retreat. Even with appropriate diet, sleep, exercise and social interaction, the depression remains. How much relief can I expect from this program? Am I in the right spot?