| Cognitive therapy is an increasingly utilized form of psychotherapy based on the principle that individuals' beliefs and perceptions shape their emotional responses to the environment. Distorted, irrational, or maladaptive perceptions and beliefs are often at the basis of psychiatric problems.
As most practitioners combine behavior therapy techniques and cognitive techniques, the treatment is frequently called cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.
A primary goal of cognitive therapy is to identify and correct negative, distorted, or irrational thoughts that have become "automatic" through repetition. Automatic thoughts occur when an individual is experiencing a particular situation or is recalling significant events from the past. Individuals with depression and anxiety have many more negative or fearful automatic thoughts than others, and these distorted thoughts usually cause painful emotional reactions. In addition, negative automatic thoughts can be associated with behaviors (e.g., helplessness, withdrawal, or avoidance) that worsen the problem. Individuals with depression or anxiety disorders experience a repeating cycle of problematic thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Automatic thoughts are usually based on faulty logic or reasoning. Cognitive therapy helps individuals recognize and change these cognitive errors (sometimes called cognitive distortions). Some of the commonly described cognitive errors include "all or nothing" thinking, personalization, and overgeneralization.
In cognitive therapy, individuals are taught how to detect cognitive errors and develop more effective thought patterns. For example, an individual may think, "I will never make friends because I'm so shy." Therapy would focus on changing this automatic thought to a more positive cognition such as, "Although I'm very shy, I can still make friends and meet new people." Another focus of cognitive therapy is on underlying "schemas." Schemas are the "basic rules" for interpreting information from daily living. Schemas (also called core beliefs) can be either adaptive or maladaptive. Cognitive therapists assist individuals in improving destructive schemas. Thus, cognitive intervention is more complex than changing automatic thoughts.
Cognitive therapy tends to be highly structured and logical, focused on the present, with both the therapist and the individual actively involved in the treatment. It can be used with individuals, groups, couples, and families, and is conducted in outpatient as well as inpatient settings. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| An increasing number of well-designed research studies establish cognitive therapy as an effective treatment for a wide range of emotional problems. For example, a meta-analysis of 9,138 subjects in 325 research studies found that cognitive therapy was more effective than anti-depressant medication in the treatment of adult unipolar depression and that, 1 year following treatment, patients treated with cognitive therapy had half the relapse rate as those treated with antidepressant medication. Similar results were achieved with other psychiatric disorders (Beck, AS, and AC Butler).
In addition to depression, cognitive therapy has been found to be effective in treating panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress-related disorders. Efforts to apply cognitive techniques to various types of patients have increased rapidly in the past decade. It has also been applied, often in conjunction with pharmacological and other treatments, to individuals with bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, chronic fatigue syndrome, substance abuse problems, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some mental health experts recommend the use of cognitive therapy for individuals that need help with procrastination, bereavement, and sexual problems. Cognitive therapy also helps to develop certain skills, such as assertiveness. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Cognitive therapy uses various cognitive and behavioral techniques to treat anxiety disorders, depression, and other types of psychiatric disorders. It is usually short-term treatment lasting for 10 to 20 sessions, although some patients with very circumscribed problems may complete therapy in 6 to 8 sessions (Beck). An essential first step is to establish measurable treatment objectives. The clinician establishes a good working relationship with the individual and teaches him or her the basic principles of cognitive therapy. The practitioner's role is more of a coach or psychoeducator than a psychotherapist in the traditional sense. And the patient's role is more that of a student. Since cognitive therapy is based on the principle that the way individuals perceive a situation governs their emotional response, dysfunctional cognitions are elicited and challenged and behaviors changed. Mood diaries and behavioral homework assignments are important components of the therapy process. The final phase of treatment reinforces skills learned earlier in therapy, prepares individuals to manage problems on their own and utilize relapse prevention procedures.
Central to cognitive therapy are cognitive change techniques, sometimes called "cognitive restructuring." These procedures help patients challenge and correct negative thinking patterns about certain circumstances that trigger dysfunctional emotional responses. Relaxation training and breathing exercises are often used adjunctively to cognitive techniques to provide anxious individuals with a skill to decrease symptoms of overarousal. Exposure therapy may also be used for anxious individuals. In this procedure, individuals learn to apply coping skills and reduce anxiety by gradually exposing themselves to feared situations. Cognitive therapy also includes a number of other behavioral interventions such as activity scheduling and graded task assignments. These procedures are used to improve both behavioral and cognitive functioning. Task assignments are also useful in measuring progress toward treatment objectives.
Depending upon the diagnosis, cognitive therapy is often used conjointly with psychopharmacology. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| The probability of meeting treatment objectives is increased if the individual is committed to active involvement in the cognitive therapy process. The predicted outcome also depends on the individual's specific psychiatric diagnosis. Completion of behavioral homework assignments is another strong predictor of successful treatment outcome. Because of their difficulty in forming and maintaining a relationship with their therapist, regardless of the treatment approach, patients with borderline personality disorders often show poor response to cognitive therapy. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Since cognitive therapy is a safe and effective form of psychotherapy, there are no known complications, particularly if conducted by licensed and qualified mental health professionals. However, if the individual is seriously depressed or suicidal, cognitive therapy is a second line of treatment after medical stabilization provided by hospitalization and/or medications has been achieved. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| A flexible work schedule is helpful when the individual must attend therapy during normal working hours. Other adjustments may be needed, depending on the specific mental condition being treated.
Attendance at support groups, group therapy, or job coaching sessions may be recommended, depending on the individual's specific diagnosis and treatment goals. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Beck, AS, and AC Butler. "Cognitive Therapy Outcomes: A Review of Meta-Analyses." Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association 37 (2000): 1-9.Beck, Judith S. "Questions and Answers about Cognitive Therapy." Beck Institute. 29 Sep. 2004 <http://www.beckinstitute.org/training/q&a.htm>. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Feedback |
| Send us comments, suggestions, corrections, or anything you would like us to hear. If you are not logged in, you must
include your email address, in order for us to respond. We cannot, unfortunately, respond to every comment.
If you are seeking medical advice, please contact your physician. Thank you! |
Send this comment to:
Sales
Customer Support
Content Development
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in
regard to the subject matter covered. It is published with the understanding that
the author, editors, and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, legal,
accounting or other professional service. If medical, legal, or other expert assistance
is required, the service of a competent professional should be sought. We are unable to respond to requests for advice.
Any Sales inquiries should include an email address or other means of
communication.
|