Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

Psychotherapy can be approached differently. Some therapists adhere to a specific method or philosophy, while others integrate elements from various approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a particular psychotherapy form aimed at altering an individual's thought patterns.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Aaron Beck developed CBT, rooted in cognitive theory, and was initially used to address anxiety and depression. CBT combines cognitive and behavioral therapies to empower patients in modifying their internal dialogue and challenging negative thought patterns.

Beck introduced specific techniques to question depressive assumptions and beliefs, urging patients to adopt more realistic thought patterns leading to improved emotional well-being. CBT emphasizes problem-solving and behavior modification, encouraging patients to actively engage in their therapy.

Variants of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

One branch of CBT is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), introduced by Albert Ellis. Ellis believed that intense emotions stem from interactions between environmental factors and our beliefs and expectations. These beliefs can sometimes be rigid or extreme.

For instance, the belief that everyone must like you can be unrealistic and potentially detrimental. REBT aims to modify such beliefs, making them less extreme and less likely to interfere with an individual's life. The belief could be adjusted to desiring people to like you while accepting that not everyone will.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, is another form of CBT primarily utilized for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT focuses on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than resisting them. The goal is for patients to embrace their thoughts and feelings so that they can eventually change them.

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is a type of CBT typically employed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In ERP, patients are exposed to situations or objects that trigger their fears (obsessions), but they are prevented from engaging in behaviors that alleviate the associated anxiety (compulsions).

For example, someone with a fear of germs might be asked to touch money and refrain from washing their hands for a specified period. Repeated exposure helps build confidence in managing the accompanying anxiety, leading to a significant reduction in OCD symptoms.

Effectiveness of CBT for Depression

Researching the efficacy of psychotherapy has been challenging due to the wide range of activities that fall under the term. However, cognitive-behavioral therapy, with its defined structure, has been scientifically proven effective in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

CBT is typically short- to moderate-term compared to other approaches because of its focus on the present and problem-solving. However, its goal of empowering patients to become their own therapists makes it a long-term treatment.

CBT vs. Psychotherapy

Depression and anxiety can be addressed with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Studies have shown that combining medications and therapy can be particularly effective.

Health companies sometimes favor prescribing medications over referring patients to mental health professionals for psychotherapy. While this may be appropriate in certain situations, there are also instances when psychotherapy is clearly indicated.

If you are taking antidepressants or anxiety medications and feel that certain aspects of your problems are not being adequately addressed, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.