Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in older gay HIV positive men

[garywales]

Hello all,

I have only just found this forum, and very pleased I have.  I live in South Wales UK and was diagnosed in 1996 (partner of 28 years diagnosed in 1991).  After taking early retirement from my job as a Nurse I spent several years of deep depression and trying to cope with the myriad of health problems,  med side effects, and the double whammy of stigma and prejudice.  In 2004 I decided that I must do something to pull myself out of this terrible depressive nightmare I was living. I started training as a Psychotherapist and I am now a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, and Lecturer. This experience has fortunately changed my life around and I put it all down to CBT. As a 56 year old gay man who has been through the mill with his infection I would love to hear from other older gay positive men who have had CBT and what their experiences of this therapy are. I am now specializing in working with LGBT clients, particularly older gay men.  Please feel free to send me a private message if you are interested in talking about this.

I hope you are all well

Gary

[garywales]

Hello all,

I have only just found this forum, and very pleased I have.  I live in South Wales UK and was diagnosed in 1996 (partner of 28 years diagnosed in 1991).  After taking early retirement from my job as a Nurse I spent several years of deep depression and trying to cope with the myriad of health problems,  med side effects, and the double whammy of stigma and prejudice.  In 2004 I decided that I must do something to pull myself out of this terrible depressive nightmare I was living. I started training as a Psychotherapist and I am now a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, and Lecturer. This experience has fortunately changed my life around and I put it all down to CBT. As a 56 year old gay man who has been through the mill with his infection I would love to hear from other older gay positive men who have had CBT and what their experiences of this therapy are. I am now specializing in working with LGBT clients, particularly older gay men.  Please feel free to send me a private message if you are interested in talking about this.

I hope you are all well

Gary

[mecch]

Welcome.

I am curious why you trained as psycotherapist as a way out of a period of life that was a depression nightmare.
I mean, as opposed to starting therapy.  In any event, I'm glad that period is behind you and also glad you are intune to the issues of gay, hiv and aging because I'm sure there is a need for your services!

Everytime I wanted to be in therapy I ended up with a psychiatrist.  A bit in my teens.  About 2 years in my twenties. And now a few years in my 40's.  I didn't insist on a shrink, it just happened to work that way.  My current shrink has been great, I didn't go because I was HIV+ in fact I seroconverted after 9 months in therapy.  Thems the breaks, I think.  Having a shrink has been good because the shrink was able to use different kinds of medicine, which have all been helpful.  Also I find the shrink has been able to talk to my other doctors and also listen to them, on all the issues of medication.  In fact I changed my HIV doc a few months ago because he wasn't really enthusiastic about any consultation with the shrink, nor was he much interested in treating or thinking about the "whole" me.  My new hiv doc is more holistic, I feel, and instantly the two offerred new routes to getting me totally treated in ways I feel have been effective.

I don't know much about CBT but I hear its very helpful.

Again, welcome.

[garywales]

Hi mech,

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.  I am a retired Mental Health nurse and after experiencing depression for several years I went for counselling. It helped me so much that I decided to train as a CBT therapist. My partner also trained as a therapist..so it's in the family now. My own experience of feeling better after CBT have triggered my interest in how other older poz men experience CBT. Also where we live psychological services are sadly lacking and I am trying to justify more services for gay people in general. I,d like to near from Others about their experiences too.

Thanks again mech

Gary

[mecch]

Ah, OK, so first you had therapy, and when it proved its worth, you trained in that branch.

[garywales]

That's righ Mech.  You had therap too ?

Gary

[mecch]

That's righ Mech.  You had therap too ?

Gary

Hello, reply 2 above.   

[jimbot]

Hi Gary I am a 46 year old male and I am in a clinical trial to study the effects of CBT and adherence. I was lucky and got the arm that received CBT. I have been struggling with depression and seeing therapist for over 30 years.  I tested poz in dec. of 09. CDV was 13 vl. in the millions. I just started see a psychiatrist who has diagnosed me A.D.D. and started me on Ritalin. I had a hard time keeping up with the CBT training but am hoping that with the Ritalin I will be able to review the work sheets and manual and put it into effect. 

[garywales]

Hi Jim,

apologies for the delay in getting back, and  thank you for your reply.

CBT certainly helped me to turn things around, and I am keen to find out about other HIV positive gay men's experiences of the problems they face and the potential value of CBT.  I live in South Wales and fairly isolated and so far struggling to find people who are prepared to be involved in my research for an MA in CBT. Would you consider a confidential interview  with me ?  Possibly over SYPE if necessary ?

I really beleive there is value in exploring this area as little research has been done on men who are older.

Many thanks again

Gary