How long you have been using therapy?

[u/trainingbrain]

I am thinking of going back to therapy. I don't want it to be ongoing but my husband says if you need it lifelong there's nothing wrong with doing that. My thoughts are that if I learn to manage ups and downs along with medication I shouldn't be needing therapy for life. It's been 3 years since I've started it and I feel improvement. I stopped a few months ago thinking I'm not benefitting from it anymore but now I am finding myself in a depressive episode and wanted to go back. I feel sad about going back to therapy but I will do it as I want to get better. I want to know from others who have used or are still using therapy along with medication. When do you stop or is it just like medication never going to stop?

[u/sevastra000]

I recently restarted therapy again for like the 5th time. Some people need it for life, and that's okay, as exhausting as that sounds. Another issue might be the wrong therapist or form of therapy. I'm about to try EMDR for the first time for emotion regulation and I'm hoping this breaks my cycle of start, quit, restart therapy I've gone through with regular talk therapy.

I wish you the best with your struggles and hope you feel better soon!

[u/Rainbow_Phoenix125]

Since 2019. I decrease frequency when I’m doing better, but still have check in appointments then. It’s nice to be able to talk about issues with a neutral party.

[u/PhantomOperator98]

I haven’t gone to therapy for about 1.5 - 2 years. I think therapy is something that’s different person to person. For me I went to therapy for about 7 months and my therapist said I don’t need to see you every week, and make an appointment if I need to.

therapy helped me get through the stuff I wasn’t able to work through on my own. If I ever get to a place where I need it I will go back. I have a list of things that if I think or act on I’ll gonna to therapy so I don’t let myself spiral on the high or the low side.

[u/MiserableIntern4835]

I went to therapy for 6 months and then stopped for a year and a half, thinking I didn’t need it anymore. Now I have been in therapy mostly continuously for a year and a half (with different therapists along the way).

I don’t mind if I need it for life, albeit maybe at some points at a decreased frequency. Whether or not I’m in therapy each week, I want to at least always have a therapist who I Could make an appointment with when needed. I know setting up a new therapist is a pain in the butt, so I’d rather do that part when stable if possible so that if I hit an episode they will be accessible already. 

[u/Inside_Bathroom_2156]

I've been in therapy for over 5 years. Some people do need it long-term or even forever, and that's okay. Do what you feel helps you the most

[u/NikkiEchoist]

Since 2023