Anxiety Therapy – What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
As an anxiety therapy, CBT is known as the most commonly used (and the most effective at that) psychological tool for relieving the symptoms of anxiety.
CBT Goals
The hallmark of CBT is its focus on belief systems, thought processes and thinking patterns. The primary objectives are to help people distinguish or identify the thinking patterns, which usually are irrational and unrealistic, that are causing the anxiety disorder or are inhibiting a person’s capability to resolve his problems with anxiety. Once it has been determined that such negative thinking patterns exist, these are immediately targeted for replacement with healthier though processes.
Accomplishing these goals often warrant a supportive environment typical of a classroom setting. The psychologist would typically prepare so-called ‘homework’ for the patient. Such homework forces the patient to look closely into his problems and identify the components that have caused them to develop and worsen. This environment also focuses on highlighting concepts relevant to the condition or disorder as well as a good dose of information on the therapy, eventually helping the patient to find the path to self-discovery and change.
The Process
The process of treatment starts with determining the various cognitive distortions that appear to be related with anxious behaviors (cognitive distortions, in plain English, means problematic thoughts. Cognitive distortions are basically a manner by which of a person can distort and twist information that comes from his environment to significantly elevate his anxiety and stress level. Theoretically, identifying and resolving these cognitive distortions can lead to significant reductions in anxiety level. All in all, CBT teaches a person to change the way he constructs or processes his thoughts in order to correct his anxious behaviors.
Uses of CBT
CBT is useful in any form of anxiety disorder – post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and panic attack, generalized anxiety disorder, most forms of phobia, if not all, forms of depression, bulimia, stress and psychosis. CBT also comes in handy when treating pain, problems with self-esteem, anger issues and fatigue.
How CBT Works
CBT works primarily by helping individuals dealing with anxiety make sense of the anxiety problems they have. This, it accomplishes, by breaking anxiety problems into its smaller components while forcing the patient to see such components in a more realistic light. The process works like this – identifying the problem by identifying the minute things that comprise it namely thoughts, emotions, actions and physical feelings or sensations.
Moreover, CBT works by identifying the schemas of an anxious behavior. Schema, in Psychology talk, is a network of information that determines how people think and interpret his world. This is, basically, at the core of an individual’s personal belief system. The therapy’s main concern is to identify the schemas that are relevant to the disorder. If this treatment is to be used for you, it is good to know that only long-term treatment could correctly identify and resolve any issue with thinking patterns that are related to anxiety.
Results Achieved By Using CBT
CBT is without a doubt very effective when used as an anxiety therapy. This, however, is not a quick fix and it doesn’t promise long-term freedom from negative thinking patterns. It isn’t also recommended for everyone as everybody responds differently to its approaches.
CBT is without a doubt a very effective anxiety therapy. To find out more this therapy and other effective therapies for anxiety problems and disorders, consult your doctor. But first, check out my website for more information.
Posted on July 30, 2010 by Admin
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