What can I do if I relapse?

Good Morning Dr. Burns,

I will make this email quick, as I'm sure you have several other emails to read through.

First off, thank you so much for your research and contributions to TEAM CBT! My mother introduced me to this form of therapy in 2022, and it has been a big help in overcoming my extremely painful perfectionism anxiety. Unfortunately, after graduating from university, I've begun relapsing once again. As such, I would like to ask a few things

Carlos:

(His remaining questions will be answered on Podcast 494.)

1. Is it harder to get out of a relapse than the first time?

I feel as if my relapse has been a lot trickier to get out of, despite the fact I have more tools and techniques.

David's response.

This depends entirely on whether you've done Relapse Prevention Training to prepare for relapses ahead of time. You can read all about it in the last chapter of my most recent book, Feeling Great. You can also learn about RPT on a number of podcasts, and even hear me doing it live with many individuals at the end of their personal work. Here are two examples randomly chosen among dozens I have published.

427: https://feelinggood.com/2024/12/16/426-ask-david-dreading-the-day-solving-mother-daughter-problems-romance-and-more/

389: https://feelinggood.com/2024/03/25/389-the-story-of-amy-part-2-of-2/

And you'll a great many more if you look. Just use the search function on my website and you'll find a wealth of podcasts on RPT.

Short answer: If you HAVE recovered and done RPT (takes 30 minutes) it will usually be much easier for you to smash your negative thought(s), using the same methods that helped you the first time.

If you HAVEN'T recovered and done RPT, it may be much more challenging.

Thanks for the important question, Carlos!