Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying thinking patterns to change moods and behaviors. It is based on the idea that negative actions or feelings are the result of current distorted beliefs or thoughts. CBT is a mix of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy.
Treatment involves developing more balanced and constructive ways of responding to stressors. Ideally, these new responses will help minimize or eliminate the problematic behavior or disorder. In this PsychologyFor article, we explain how it works cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.
How cognitive behavioral therapy for depression works
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a union of two very important currents: cognitive therapy focuses on your moods and thoughts and the behavioral focuses specifically on actions and behaviors. A therapist who practices the combined approach of CBT works in a structured environment with the goal of identifying specific negative thought patterns and behavioral responses to difficult or stressful situations.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is included in third generation therapies. These are based on an approach more short term than psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies. Other types of therapies may require several years to discover the origin of the discomfort and subsequent treatment. CBT often only requires 10 to 20 sessions.
The sessions provide opportunities to identify current life situations that may be causing or contributing to your depression. In consultation, the person and the therapist identify current patterns of thinking or distorted perceptions that lead to depression.
This is different from, for example, psychoanalysis, since that type of therapy involves working backwards through your life history to discover an unconscious source of the problems the person is facing.
The person may be asked to keep a journal as part of CBT. The journal provides a place to record life events and your reactions.
The therapist can help you divide reactions and thought patterns into several categories of thoughts. self destructive thoughts. These include:
All or nothing thoughts: see the world in absolute terms, in black and white
Disqualify the positive: rejecting positive experiences by insisting that they “don’t count” for some reason
Negative reactions automatic: having habitual nagging thoughts
Expand or downplay the importance of an event: Make a big deal about a specific event or moment.
Overgeneralization: drawing too broad conclusions from a single event
Personalization: taking things too personally or feeling like actions are directed specifically at you
Mental filter: choose a single negative detail and dwell on it exclusively so that the vision of reality darkens
Journaling can be used to help replace negative thought patterns or perceptions with more constructive ones. This can be done through a number of well-practiced techniques, such as:
Learn to control and modify distorted thoughts and reactions
Learn to accurately and completely evaluate external situations and reactions or emotional behavior.
Practice personal dialogue that is precise and balanced.
Use self-assessment to reflect and respond appropriately
You can practice these coping methods on your own or with your therapist. Alternatively, you can practice them in controlled environments where you are challenged and use these options to improve your ability to respond successfully.
In what other types of disorders can it be used?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely used to treat various disorders and conditions in children, adolescents, and adults. These disorders include:
Antisocial behaviors (including lying, stealing, and harming animals or other people).
Anxiety disorders
Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity
Bipolar disorder
conduct disorder
Eating disorders such as binge eating, anorexia and bulimia.
General stress
Personality disorders
Phobias
Schizophrenia
Sexual disorders
Sleep disorders
Social skills problems
Addictions
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be combined with other treatments within the treatment of depression.
Is there any risk of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression?
There is little emotional risk long-term associated with CBT, but exploring painful feelings and experiences can be stressful. Treatment may involve facing situations that would otherwise be avoided.
For example, the person may be asked to spend time in public places if they are afraid of crowds. Alternatively, he may have to deal with the death of a loved one that is causing his depression. These scenarios can provide opportunities to practice responses to stressful or adverse situations. The ultimate goal of therapy is to teach the person to deal with anxiety and stress in a way safe and constructive.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Cognitive behavioral therapy to treat depression we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.
