Know What Cognitive Behavior Therapy Is

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one type of psychotherapy, which combines behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy. Both therapies aim to change the mindset and response of the patient, from negative to positive.

A person's thought patterns towards something can influence their emotions and behavior. For example, a person whose marriage ends in divorce will think that he is not a good partner, and does not deserve a relationship. The mindset will make him despair, then trigger him to distance himself from the social sphere. If the condition is left, he will be trapped in a cycle of negative thought patterns, emotions and behaviors.

In cognitive behavioral therapy, patients who experience conditions like the one above will learn positive thinking, so that they will produce positive emotions and behaviors as well.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be done in a personal session, whether in person or by telephone and video call. Therapy can also be done in groups, both with family members, and with people who have similar problems. In some conditions, therapy can be done online through a computer.

Indications Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be applied to patients of all ages, who experience the following conditions:

• Depression
• Phobias
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• OCD
• PTSD
• Sleep disorders
• Hypochondriasis or excessive anxiety about an illness
• Schizophrenia
• Habits of gambling
• Addiction to smoking or alcoholic drinks
• Drug abuse
• Angry uncontrollable
• Problems in relationships or marriage
• Not confident

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Warning

Cognitive behavioral therapy will explore unpleasant feelings, experiences, and emotions. Therefore, patients may cry or get angry during therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy with certain techniques, will require patients to enter situations and conditions that they normally avoid. For example, patients who are afraid of snakes will be motivated to dare to hold snakes. While patients with anxiety disorders will be encouraged to speak in public.

Patients will be asked to participate during and outside the therapy session. For example by making notes about mindset, emotions and positive behavior that must be done. Cooperation between patients and therapists is very important, in order to get satisfactory therapeutic results.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Preparation

Don't hesitate to ask a number of questions to the therapist, in this case it can be a psychiatrist or psychologist, among others related to the method of approach, goals to be achieved through therapy, duration of each therapy session, and how many sessions to follow. In addition, first know the cost of consultation for cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally a short-term therapy, which is only about 10 to 20 sessions. Before starting therapy, discuss with the therapist the number of sessions needed. In general, the number of therapy sessions depends on several factors such as:

• Type of interference and problem encountered
• Symptoms severity
• The duration of the patient has a disorder
• Patient stress level
• Development of patients since starting therapy
• How much support from your family and closest people.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Process

Cognitive behavioral therapy generally lasts 30-60 minutes in each session. In the first few sessions, the therapist and patient will equally ensure that cognitive behavioral therapy is the right therapy to deal with the problems experienced by patients. The therapist will also ensure that the patient feels comfortable during the therapy.

Next, the therapist will ask about the patient's background and past. This is important, because even though therapy is more focused on the current situation, the problems experienced by patients can also be related to the past. The therapist will also ask for a number of factors that may be related to the patient's problem, including medical history, certain events (such as having divorced), symptoms of mental disorders, to the goals to be achieved through therapy.

If the problem and trigger have been identified, the patient will be asked to express his thoughts and feelings regarding the problem at hand. In this process, patients will be asked to take notes, to help understand their negative responses when facing problems, both in thought patterns, feelings, and actions. Then, the therapist will discuss with the patient the impact of the negative response on himself and his environment, and how to change the negative response to positive.

For example, patients with anxiety disorders tend to avoid situations that trigger anxiety or anxiety. In a therapy session, patients will learn to understand that avoiding these situations will actually increase fear. To change it, patients will be trained to deal with fear gradually, so that their confidence arises when they experience situations that trigger anxiety.

After the patient understands the problem and the negative response that needs to be changed, the therapist will advise the patient to start practicing responding positively to their daily activities. For example, by reprimanding yourself if negative thoughts arise, and replacing them with positive thoughts. You can also immediately realize that the action to be taken can trigger a negative response, then replace it with another action.

The process of the above exercise is carried out between the therapy sessions, and will be discussed in the next therapy session. When needed, the therapist will provide patients with examples of exercises to be practiced between sessions. However, the therapist will only suggest forms of exercise that make the patient comfortable.

After Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Even though all the therapy sessions have been passed, all the positive things that have been obtained from therapy must still be done. This is important, to prevent re-occurring disorders, especially anxiety and depression disorders.

Don't expect quick results, because handling psychiatric disorders is not an easy thing. It is natural for patients to feel uncomfortable in the first few therapy sessions. It took several therapy sessions until the patient felt a development in him.

Talk to the therapist if you feel there is no development after undergoing several therapy sessions. You and the therapist can discuss therapy with another approach.

Label : Health cat_Health