cognitive behavioral therapy

cognitive behavioral therapy

n.

A highly structured psychotherapeutic method used to alter distorted attitudes and problem behavior by identifying and replacing negative inaccurate thoughts and changing the rewards for behaviors.

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Cognitive behavioral therapy

A therapy that pays particular attention to a patient's behavior and thinking processes rather than underlying psychological causes of an activity.

Mentioned in: Antidepressant Drugs, Binge-Eating Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

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cognitive behavioral therapy

Psychiatry Therapy that seeks to alleviate specific conditions–eg, phobias, by modifying thought and behavior Efficacy Uncertain. See Psychotherapy.

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Patient discussion about cognitive behavioral therapy.

Q. What is cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of depression? What is it all about? Please explain? Could someone who has actually had this explain what it is all about. I don't want to get a copy and paste answer from a web page somewhere, just a simple explanation in plain simple terms that I could relate to.

A. The focus of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the thought process(es) that lead the patient to depression, for example thoughts of worthlessness etc. CBT has the advantages of being of brief or fixed duration, cost-effective and can foster results in short period, may heighten expectation of rapid change and encourage optimism. However, not every one is suitable for such a constructed and limited approach.

The therapy may be done in a group or in one-on-one sessions, and performed by a professional, so consulting one about the use of this modality may be wise.