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CBT stands for cognitive behavioral therapy and it’s a popular treatment for a wide variety of physical and mental health conditions. As someone who suffers from different health concerns on a daily basis, you’re probably wondering if this treatment will help. You’re about to find out as we explain exactly what CBT entails and the conditions it tackles.
What is CBT?
According to the American Psychological Association, cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychological treatment that gets patients to alter their thinking and behavioral patterns.
That sounds pretty complex, but there’s a simplicity to it. If you can alter the way you perceive something, it becomes less of a problem. Likewise, changing the way you react to certain things will make them easier to manage.
As an example, CBT is often prescribed to people with chronic pain. In this scenario, patients are taught to re-assess their view of pain. You almost learn how to ignore the pain and focus on something else, so it doesn’t completely ruin your life.
What can CBT treat?
We just mentioned one thing that CBT is used for, but what else is commonly treated this way?
It’s a well-known treatment for depression and other mental health disorders – like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Doctors will often prescribe CBT for patients with eating disorders too, as well as extreme phobias.
You may also see CBT used to treat some physical health problems, like IBS or fibromyalgia.
Is CBT effective?
The effectiveness of CBT is debatable. Some people swear by it, but it’s one of those things that you get back what you put in. People who buy into CBT and really try to follow the practices/ideas will see positive results. Those who are a bit dubious to begin with are unlikely to see improvements in their conditions.
We should also keep in mind that CBT can’t cure any physical problems. Yes, it is widely used to treat IBS and chronic pain, but it won’t make the physical issues go away. It just helps you manage the symptoms and find ways to get on with your life.
Should you try CBT for your health concerns?
That depends, what are your concerns?
If you have serious physical health concerns like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, then CBT is the last thing you should think about. Always get a diagnosis for your health problems first, so you can see what’s causing them. If you can get treatments that tackle the main cause and cure you, then that’s perfect.
However, if you suffer from mental health issues or physical health problems that are constantly playing on your mind, there’s no harm in trying CBT. It’s worth giving it a go, but make sure you properly buy into it. Attend all of your sessions and give it 100% if you want to see any results.
At the very least, CBT is a great way of getting to know your brain and understanding certain thought patterns/processes. This can be extremely powerful in combatting a range of conditions, but it might not work for everyone. Consult a doctor before going ahead with anything, and we hope this short guide has helped you learn more about this particular treatment.