Eight years

Specialist CBT therapy for anxiety, OCD, depression and more in West London

Sometimes a person only sees, in retrospect, how long they have been carrying something difficult. It may have been low mood, anxiety, exhaustion, loss of interest, a change in sleep, persistent worry, irritability, physical symptoms or simply a sense that life has narrowed. The title of this reflection is not a claim that every person waits eight years before seeking help. The time it takes to speak to someone varies greatly, and a blog cannot measure or explain an individual’s delay. There are many understandable reasons why reaching out can feel difficult. Someone may be unsure whether their experience is serious enough, worry about being judged, have caring responsibilities, be concerned about cost or privacy, have had unhelpful experiences before, or struggle to find the right words. Others may have focused on getting through work, family life or a health problem until there was little room left to ask how they were doing. No one needs to wait for a crisis, a diagnosis or dramatic proof before discussing distress with an appropriate professional. At the same time, CBT is not automatically the right next step for every person. An assessment can consider symptoms, physical health, medication, safety, current pressures, practical constraints and what the person wants support with. Physical changes should not automatically be explained as depression or anxiety. Persistent, severe, new or worrying symptoms need appropriate medical assessment. If someone is at immediate risk of harm, cannot keep themselves safe, or is in a mental health crisis, they should call 999, attend A&E or contact urgent crisis support rather than relying on a blog or routine appointment. If CBT is appropriate, it may offer a structured space to understand patterns involving thoughts, emotions, body responses, behaviour and context. The pace, goals and focus are agreed collaboratively. There is no guaranteed timeline, and no promise that support will immediately make a longstanding difficulty easier. For related information, read about <a href="/therapy/depression/">CBT for low mood and depression</a>, <a href="/therapy/anxiety/">CBT for anxiety</a> and the <a href="/guides/anxiety and depression guide/">anxiety and depression clinical guide</a>. The Lyceum Clinic offers assessment led CBT online and in West London, and a first conversation can help clarify what support may be appropriate.