Cognitive behavioral therapy
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic model that focuses on the role of thinking in regards to one’s emotions and chosen actions. The CBT approach emphasizes that an individual’s responses towards certain problems, crises, or events are actually the root of these dilemmas. An individual’s maladaptive behavior toward their problems is believed to be the trigger of stress, and CBT is designed to help the individual solve their problems through a methodical course of action. CBT is a classification of psychotherapy that covers a wide array of therapeutic methods used today, including cognitive therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, multimodal therapy, rational behavior therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, and rational living therapy.
CBT was developed from the combination of behavioral therapy (first established in the early twentieth century) and cognitive therapy (refined by psychologist Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s). The CBT model is mostly accredited to psychologist Albert Ellis for his innovative efforts during the 1950s and to David Barlow and David Clark for cultivating the merged model during the 1980s and 1990s. In the past, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy were mostly used for the treatment of neurotic disorders, but over time CBT proved to be effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders as well. CBT is used to treat several types of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia; mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and substance abuse disorders; behavioral disorders such as an eating disorder; personality disorders; and psychotic disorders. CBT is also effective in treating some neurological conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome.
CBT helps the patient realize that their stress or problems are not caused by external factors such as people, events, or situations. On the contrary, one’s problems are believed to be caused by one’s reactions (thoughts and behaviors) to these factors, thereby creating their anger, fear, and worry. This theory also helps patients understand that their problems are not out of their control since they are capable of controlling their thoughts and behaviors, rather than trying to change external influences. CBT is an empirically effective method that has even served as a substitute for some prescribed medications to help treat certain mental conditions. It is an approachable method of treatment for many patients who may be experiencing feelings of anxiety, withdrawal, paranoia, failure, or worthlessness, since the therapy is time-limited. Unlike open-ended psychiatric and some psychological therapies, CBT lasts for an average of 16 sessions. Patients have a capped amount of sessions and are encouraged to keep up with their treatment on their own since the therapist will assign homework. Without the stress of not knowing how long the therapy will last or how expensive it will become, and knowing that they will eventually resurface as being in control of their own lives instead of spending a life-long struggle being psychologically monitored and insufficient, patients are more inclined to stay with treatment.
CBT specialists believe that it is so effective because patients learn how to become self-reliant and self-sufficient; patients are taught how to think differently and how to apply this learning to real life. Instead of just helping the client get through one issue, CBT trains the patient how to approach all issues in the "here and now" and for those in the future. The therapist will help direct the patient in determining what the patient’s goals are in life, create a map of how to best make these goals attainable, and how to eliminate obstacles that deter the patient from accomplishing these goals (e.g., feeling worthless, fearful, or incapable). The therapist can help the patient rationalize illogical justifications for these obstacles by asking questions and encouraging the patient to ask questions themselves when these anxious feelings arise. Often, the fears are unjustified and symptoms can be alleviated by confronting the fear with logical reasoning. This depends on the patient’s learned ability to change their thinking and then implement this change. The patient is taught to use inductive reasoning (or "experimentation") when determining how logical their thoughts are, giving them the choice to either accept their thinking or to change their thoughts.
Over the past ten years, research has been developing on the use of CBT for the treatment of schizophrenia. CBT teaches schizophrenic patients to experiment with their beliefs when coping with delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. CBT has proven to help alleviate patients’ beliefs that cause distress and to help patients develop more interpretative skills.
