Can CBT Tools Replace A Visit To The Doctor?
CBT is so effective because it’s a set of tools you can use anywhere, at any time. You don’t need to see a psychologist or therapist to use them; they can be incredibly useful in helping you manage your condition when you have other commitments that make it difficult to keep up with appointments. Let’s take a look at how CBT works as a self-care tool rather than a once-a-week therapy session.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your emotions by changing the way you think and respond to situations. CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety issues, including phobias, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
CBT may be offered in individual therapy, group therapy, telephone therapy, self-help books, computer programs, and with other forms of therapy such as relaxation and mindfulness. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. When any part of this chain is unbalanced, it can cause distress.
Using CBT to manage physical symptoms
Cognitive behavioral therapy is most often used for physical problems or those that can be treated with medication. Common physical symptoms that can be managed with cognitive therapy and self-help techniques include abdominal bloating and constipation. For some symptoms, cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication. However, it has some advantages over medication:
You can keep your symptoms in check without relying on medication. This can be a huge advantage if you have long-term conditions that require you to take medication every day.
You can avoid the side effects that come with some medications.
You can take control of your symptoms by learning self-management techniques that don’t require you to rely on medication.
Managing anxiety with CBT
Cognitive therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety. Not only does CBT teach you how to manage your anxiety, but it also teaches you how to recognize and avoid the triggers that cause your anxiety in the first place. One study found that 79% of participants who received CBT no longer met the criteria for having an anxiety disorder after treatment ended. Other studies found that CBT can be an effective treatment for social anxiety, general anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Using CBT to improve your mood
If your symptoms are based mainly on a lack of positive feelings, then cognitive behavior therapy can help. You can use it to manage your low mood or treat a condition like depression with CBT. It can help you to identify the triggers for your mood and then develop healthy habits to replace them.
Cognitive therapy teaches you that your mood isn’t caused by one single event. Instead, it’s created by a chain of events where each link in the chain is important. If one link in the chain is faulty, then the whole chain will break down. Using CBT, you can determine what link in the chain of your mood is faulty and correct it.
Conclusion
CBT can help you to unpack your emotions and see your situation in a new light. This can help you to take back control of your life and focus on the things that you can do, rather than the things that you can’t. It’s flexible enough to be used in many different situations, so you can use the tools that work for you, but it is not necessary to spend time visiting a doctor and communicating with him.
This article is written by a therapist from Sensera – a self-help app that provides daily CBT audio sessions and exercises. The app helps people deal with a variety of mental issues (anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationship problems). Download Sensera now to become happier!
