Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a very popular type of talking therapy that can be used to treat many different mental health conditions, including Depression and Anxiety among others.

CBT is used as a first-line treatment in the United Kingdom for many different mental health conditions – such is its immense popularity. In this article, we look at the conditions CBT can assist with.

Many people find that CBT improves their wellbeing

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that is used to treat a range of mental health conditions. CBT involves an individual talking face-to-face with a therapist, although sometimes CBT can be conducted in a group setting. CBT attempts to improve an individual’s wellbeing and mood. The therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and actions. This can be useful for those with low self-esteem, anxiety, unhelpful personality traits or intrusive thoughts. CBT can help an individual understand their feelings more, and in the long run should lead to an improvement in quality of life.

The positives of CBT

CBT isn’t useful for everyone – but there are a range of positives that make it popular. CBT focuses on the present day, which can be really useful for anyone who needs help on current problems.

CBT is also useful for its nature of not typically taking very long. For example, unlike some types of therapy which can take months for meaningful change to take place – CBT can usually work within a few weeks.

CBT also provides those who engage with it tools for the future which can be very helpful. These can include deep breathing techniques and healthy coping strategies.

Which conditions can CBT help with?

There are several different conditions that CBT can help with in theory – though CBT is not a catch-all therapy that can help everyone.

Depression: Depression is characterised by periods of low mood and feelings of hopelessness. CBT is often seen as the first treatment for Depression. This is due to how Depression is often linked to negative thoughts – which is what CBT tries to tackle.

Anxiety: Anxiety Disorders are based around uncontrollable feelings of anxiety. They are very common conditions. Anxiety involves a person being plagued by distorted thoughts. Therefore, CBT can be very useful here. These thoughts can be challenged in a more productive way. Moreover, some of the calming techniques that are taught can be great for future management for feelings of anxiety.

Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders include Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa among others. These conditions involve a person having an unhealthy relationship with food. Deep-rooted thought processes are often a key part. Therefore, CBT can help to challenge these thoughts, with the aim of getting them processed in a more positive way, resulting in positive change.

Others: Research has also showed that those with some personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and potentially some substance use disorders could get some benefit from CBT.

It is feasible that anyone can realistically get some benefit from CBT. But it is important to note that not everyone will benefit from CBT – everyone’s personal circumstances are different.

Summary

Many people will find that CBT is of huge help to them. It may even result in some people getting total remission from their symptoms. Most people will see at least some benefit from it.

While CBT isn’t going to be useful for everyone, as this article shows, there is certainly the potential for this type of therapy to be helpful. For more information on CBT, you can see our section on it here.

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