Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a focused, problem-solving psychotherapy. Over 375 outcome studies show that it is highly effective in treating many mental health problems such as
- Depression
- General Anxiety
- Panic
- Anger
- Marital Distress
Studies also show cognitive therapy to be an effective means for treating physical conditions such as
- Chronic Pain
- Hypertension
- Fibromyalgia
Cognitive therapy works because our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions are tightly related and feed into one another. For instance, if you hear bad news in the morning, you naturally develop a range of negative thoughts and feelings that affect your behavior in the short run. This process is normal, however; for some individuals, negative thoughts, unpleasant emotions, and destructive behaviors continue to spin out of control. In this case, CBT beneficial, needed, and justified. Further, in some cases, you may be having a wonderful day, yet unpleasant emotions surface, and a run of negative thoughts and destructive behaviors take over and paralyze you. Again, CBT can help you to take control and be in charge of the triangular relationship of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
CBT is effective in dealing with a range of disorders. Below is a list of these disorders along with the distorted beliefs, emotions, and destructive behaviors that accompany them:
|
Disorder |
Distorted Belief |
Emotion |
Behavior |
|
Common Anxiety |
Something bad will happen. |
Worried |
Constantly check for bad news and prepare to deal with them |
|
Social Anxiety |
They will make fun of me. |
Anxious |
Avoid people and groups, dread contact |
|
Depression |
I’m a burden on others and worthless. |
Sad |
Isolate, disengage |
|
Stress/Trauma |
I’m incompetent and the world is unsafe. |
Numb |
Avoid similar events, over react to events |
|
Drug Addiction |
No one loves or cares about me. |
Angry |
Seek safety through continued drug use |