Neurobehavioral/cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

[Krobertson]

I was wondering if anyone has any first hand information on the CBT program at Andrews-Reiter Epilepsy Research Program. It sounds very interesting to me but I live in Canada. Would anyone recommend this program?

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Krobertson, welcome to CWE!

I don't have firsthand experience with Andrews Reiter program, though I wish I did. California is a bit far for me to go for treatment But I can recommend the book co-authored by Dr. Reiter that discusses many of the ideas he put into practice: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0802774652/ref=ase_projectmana0a-20?v=glance"]Amazon.com: Epilepsy: A New Approach (9780802774651): Adrienne Richard, Joel Reiter: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51p9fv6oOYL.@@AMEPARAM@@51p9fv6oOYL[/ame]

There's more general info about the program at this CWE link: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=cognitive-behavioral

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Krobertson]

Thanks for the quick response. It is a long way for me also but I would consider it if I could take control of the epilepsy like it says. I will look into that book.

 

[epileric]

I documented my experience with CBT here.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f32/cognitive-behavioural-documentation-6412/

 

[Krobertson]

Hi epileptic,
I read over your thread and it gave me some good insight. Thank you.

Now I have some more questions ...
In what city was the clinic located that you went to? Also did you feel that it was worth your time and money? Do you feel you have had long term positive effects from attending the clinic/program? And what about your ability to take control of the epilepsy, as they claim, over the long term?

 

[epileric]

In what city was the clinic located that you went to?

I took it at the epilepsy foundation in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Also did you feel that it was worth your time and money?

It was free so it was definitely worth the time (once a week) though it probably would have been a bigger class if it were in the evening instead of early afternoon.

Do you feel you have had long term positive effects from attending the clinic/program? And what about your ability to take control of the epilepsy, as they claim, over the long term?

I do feel I've gotten some very positive help in how I habitually deal with lifes issues. My problem is that these sort of things are easily forgotten & old habits are hard to shake. I should review what I learned since it's always applicable stuff and seems to be easily forgotten.

It might have helped with personal stresses & hence indirectly helped my seizures but I saw no direct "control" over my seizures. The person who developed CBT, Dr David Burns has a book that came recommended called "Feeling Good" that has been sitting on my end table for a while now while I procrastinate reading it. It did come highly recommended by someone I know who struggles with depression.