"How CBT helped with my mental health issues."

I've suffered with anxiety, depression and OCD for the last 20+ years. About 3 years ago I had a serious bout of depression which left me housebound for nearly a year. I was introduced to the idea of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by people at work. I signed up for CBT at Ealing IAPT and was helped through my depression by a senior therapist, Harpreet.

Harpreet was absolutely brilliant - she listened to me without judgement and provided me with many exercises and tools to help me tackle my depression. Not only did this  help me get over my depression at the time but has helped me deal with depression myself anytime it rears its ugly head again. What's great about CBT is that it not only helped me get better but it's also a preventative method.

I had been on anti-depressants during this time but due to serious side effects and complications, my GP advised me to stop taking the anti-depressants immediately - usually a big no-no. I had started to make positive strides at this point and both my GP and Harpreet were concerned this would take me back to square one or possibly even worse. However, thanks to everything Harpreet had taught me during out CBT sessions, I not only didn't regress but I continued to improve. I've now been medication free for nearly two years and have had no relapse because of what I learned from CBT.

During my depression, I didn't work or socialise. It put great strain on my relationships with my girlfriend, family and friends. Thanks to Harpreet and the CBT I was able to not only get back out there and get my life together again but since then I have changed career paths and started my own business.

At the time of my depression we briefly discussed my OCD and anxiety (which was fed by both the OCD and depression). We agreed that once the depression was sorted and  I'd got my life back on track I'd go back to treat these conditions too. While my depression was now under control, it had taken its toll on me and my OCD and anxiety had actually increased. I went back to Ealing IAPT and saw Harpreet to tackle these issues too. Much like with the depression, Harpreet not only helped me conquer my OCD (and by proxy my anxiety) but showed me how to deal with it going forward.

I'm not saying it's a miracle cure. You have to work hard to put the tools into practice but it's improved my life a thousand times over. I'd tried medication, counselling, alternative therapies etc but nothing worked for me. I wish I'd tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy years ago and I'll recommend it to anyone suffering with any of these mental conditions. I can't thank Harpreet and the Ealing IAPT enough. I was always treated with respect and she never made me feel silly or inadequate because of my issues. I wish her nothing but the best for the future. Thank you.