Cognitive therapy can help depressed people.
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America reports that anxiety disorders affect 40 million American adults aged 18 and over. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance states that depression affects 14.8 million Americans aged 18 and over. To treat anxiety and depression, therapists often use cognitive therapy---a psychological treatment approach.
Purpose
Cognitive therapy focuses on the client's problems using specific psychological strategies to improve the patient's emotional and overall well-being, emphasizing the patient's thoughts (cognition). When Dr. Aaron Beck developed cognitive therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, the goal was to treat depression. Since then, the treatment approach has also been effective in treating anxiety and other stress-related illnesses.
The Premise
Cognitive therapy is based on the premise that your thoughts and beliefs have the most impact on your emotions and behaviors. Anxiety and depression are the result of impaired thought patterns, which determine how individuals view occurrences in their lives---the reality of the situation may not be as perilous as perceived.
The Process
Through cognitive therapy, the individual gains thought awareness; patients must be aware of what they are telling themselves before they can change it. Patients also learn the validity (accuracy) of their thoughts and challenge their negative thoughts so their thinking fits the reality of the situation.
Advantage
The strategies and coping skills learned in cognitive therapy can be used in everyday life even after therapy has concluded.
Issues Addressed
Cognitive therapy helps depressive patients handle the sad moods, low self-esteem, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, sleep problems, tiredness and loss of energy associated with depression. It also addresses the fear and nervousness related to anxiety.
Tags: aged over, Cognitive therapy, reality situation, treatment approach