Society has come a long way when it comes to mental health. What was once a taboo subject is now being discussed more openly than ever before. That’s not to say that awareness is where it needs to be, but more and more people are at least learning about mental health issues and how they may affect them or someone they love.
With the spotlight being thrown on mental health issues, the other topic that is getting attention is the treatments available to those with mental health issues. This brings us to cognitive behavioral therapy. What exactly is this kind of treatment, who is it meant for, and what are the benefits? Let’s take a look.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) isn’t a new treatment since it has actually been used for quite some time. It is described as a psychological treatment with some basic principles that guide it. It is meant to help people who have learned habits that promote unhelpful behavior and/or have a way of thinking that is unhelpful or wrong. The idea is that you address that way of thinking and teach the person coping skills and techniques which can then be applied in their everyday life. You can find more information at places like PrairieCare.
Who Is This Therapy Meant For?
This type of behavior is wide-reaching in that it can be used to address several different issues. Some of the issues it can help to address include:
- Drug addiction
- Alcohol addiction
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Marital issues
- Severe mental illness
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
CBT can sometimes be used for other long-term conditions, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Rather than curing the physical symptoms, CBT helps teach coping mechanisms. It doesn’t matter what age the person suffering from these issues may be; CBT can be helpful for everyone.
What Are the Top Benefits of This Therapy?
As you can probably already see by the abovementioned list, CBT is a viable option for many people with mental illness and disorders since it is so versatile. Some other benefits can include the following:
- Teaches people coping skills that they can use in life so that hopefully they can continue to get a better handle on their issues
- Embraces facing fears head-on and not avoiding things that make a person scared or uncomfortable
- Helps people learn how to relax, better manage stress and anxiety and be more peaceful in general
- Teaches problem-solving skills which are useful and practical
- Helps people face the reality and truth of situations, thereby exposing falsehoods
- Helps people to change their thinking habits and patterns, putting them on a more positive course
- Helps the person help themselves, rather than relying on a therapist
- Offers a customized approach rather than a one-size-fits all
For those who suffer from mental illness, even if it’s not ongoing, CBT can be a wonderfully helpful option that doesn’t just help in that moment, but sets you up for a more successful future.
