It’s based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle, as the image perfectly illustrates. In treatment we consider other ways of thinking (C), and how this would affect the way we behave (B). But what is CBT?Ĭognitive Behavioural Therapy helps the patient explore and understand alternative ways of thinking and challenging their beliefs through behavioural exercises, Dr Victoria Bream explains…ĬBT makes use of two evidence-based behaviour techniques, Cognitive Therapy (C) that looks at how we think, and Behaviour Therapy (B) which looks at how this affects what we do. Medication can be helpful in reducing anxiety enough for a person to start, and eventually succeed, in therapy. In many cases, CBT alone is highly effective in treating OCD, but for some a combination of CBT and medication is a more effective treatment package, especially if there is co-morbidity like depression. In the last section we used a driving analogy to describe anxiety, well if we return to a driving analogy, CBT is a bit like learning to drive, some people need one course of lessons (therapy) to pass their test, but others need two or three courses, perhaps with a different instructor (therapist), but if they keep working at it, there is no reason to believe they can’t eventually pass their test. What we mean by that is if you have tried CBT once or twice (or more) with limited success, there is no reason you can’t work with another therapist, perhaps an OCD specialist and have a completely different experience. There are also no limits to how many times you can try CBT. What’s more, this form of therapy does not have any risks or side effects associated with it, which is why it remains the treatment of choice for tackling OCD by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), and specialist centres such as the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT). Research has shown that 75% of people with OCD are significantly helped by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with some local IAPT services reporting recovery rates of up to 80%. Whilst we are always open to other therapies, for the majority, the evidence shows CBT is the treatment of choice for OCD. It also figures in the treatment of eating disorders, addictions and psychosis.ĬBT is a form of talking therapy, however unlike other talking therapies like counselling, it is much more structured and tailored around the individuals ‘here and now’ problems, and rarely focuses on the patient’s past. CBT is also meant to be a short term therapy lasting weeks and months rather than years. It’s important that those struggling with OCD try and understand the principles behind CBT.ĬBT is used successfully as a treatment for many psychological problems, including OCD and other anxiety problems such as panic, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, remains the treatment of choice for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) here in the UK and is available through the NHS.
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