Hi there Tabby,
I am Dr Oleg, and I am staying at Alfredo's house. We have made an account for me here on BipolarConnect and when I go back to Italy I will consider becoming a frequent visitor of this site.
I agree with Alfredo about Cognitive Therapy and Medication. I was one of the first to help Alfredo with many of the ideas he now carries in his head so I am the guilty one. Alfredo is helping me now by being a good friend in times of need. I suffer from Bipolar and I have kept it a secret for many years.
I agree with Alfredo that Cognitive Therapy is more than just a theory. In Italy we regard it as a very good theory that can really help people along with medication of course.
I will make sure that Alfredo does not include his name this time. He is translating much of what I say because my English is very poor. But some of you may teach me later on. I will try to do my best to communicate from time to time. I am retired now no longer a doctor.
Ciao and keep up the good work.
Greetings Dr. Oleg,
It is nice to have you here. I hope you are calming Alfredo down when issues here become a little heated. I imagine his voice raises and the hands become expressive. I had family that was from Italy. A heated discussion was always entertaining to watch.
(Alfredo, I know you are translating. I am only joking with you.)
I can see CBT as a framework the individual moulds to fit them. The basic techniques can be applied in many situations. The way we percieve and think about our world creates what we consider is reality. It is only our reality and rational thought creates a more clear and rewarding perspective without unwarrented negative emotions.
Each individual has their own thought, beliefs and behavior based on underlying factors we are not always aware of. We must learn to accept individuals for who they are and where the are at this moment. Too many disagreements are a result of non-acceptance, not understanding or considering their history, education or personality formation. Trying to to force change in an individual is met with resistance. We must remember to foster self determination, making change their idea. It is fine to help them identify the problem and come up with a solution. Doing so gives them ownership and credit.
The last paragraph strayed from the information of your post Dr. Oleg but I wanted Alfredo to read it and hopefully anyone else who post here, so they might think of being accepting of others, no matter what they write. Thank you again Dr. Oleg for introducing yourself.
Merely,
Alfredo has a lot of faults. He tends to tell people what to do and this causes problems. He gets involved in complex issues that often lead to a dead end. And if anyone knows how to make language seem inadequate and twist and turn things this is Alfredo. But is he wrong? Not really people misunderstand him deep dowmn and language does not carry him for his ideas are very complex indeed. His heart is in the right place and perhaps this explains much.
All I want to say is that it is good to think that Cognitive Therapy is the first theory to oppose medication alone interventions. The fact that other words have been introduced aliek DBT is not helpful at all only creates more problems. This is not CBT vs DBT but only the fact that here we have two very powerful words Cognitive and Therapy and if we look at the terminology of each term we find that we can indeed expand this theory and make it self contained avoiding terms like DBT. These are just words which mean little on their own.
Use the terms Cognitive Therapy to really make a universal theory and a strategy to help.This may start with the aid of a health professional but really the psychologist or psychiatrist or doctor should have one thing in mind and that is to help the patient become her or his own psychologist like Alfredo suggests.
For example I told Alfredo that when he is Manic he should not drink coffee or tea and to avoid sugar and alcohol (he does not drink). Now this is a diet but in intellectual terms could be also part of cognitive therapy for choosing the right diet is important and it is a mental strategy that goes well in the Cognitive Therapy intervention.
During Depression coffee is wonderful for some people even sugar. Aloe Vera is a wonderful juice that can be drunk at night before going to bed. I believe that it can be good for the nervous system as well. It helps digestions and aids good sleep. Camomille is wonderful for mania if drunk in large quantities. About a cup every half hour when manic with some ginger and honey. These are old fashioned remedies but used correctly they do work. Ubfirtunately as a doctor I know that the usual thing is to run out and reach for a pill. We are the pill popping culture and Alfredo is absolutely right about this.
I admire Alfredo. He is able to live with Bipolar1 and treat it without medication. Sure he can be alittle strange and can get into a fluster. But he is never out of control and for this I admire him.
It is absolutely true to say that many people on this site have not welcomed Alfredo. I can tell you that he is a very gifted person and this is why so many dislike him. It is not so much what he says or does. His talents are many and wonderful.
For those who wonder it is Alfredo's wife who is helping me to write this not Alfredo.
Oleg
>I can see CBT as a framework the individual moulds to fit them. The basic techniques can be applied in many situations. The way we percieve and think about our world creates what we consider is reality. It is only our reality and rational thought creates a more clear and rewarding perspective without unwarrented negative emotions.<
You are absolutely correct Merely.