Cognitive behavioral therapy is a conversation therapy that helps individuals reform their negative approach toward life. CBT helps an individual adopt an optimistic approach and gives a new perspective to look at things.
We can ruin many opportunities and possibilities in life with our negative thinking. Positive behavior will allow you to achieve many things in life, and one also becomes better at expressing themselves.
Various issues affect our day-to-day life, causing discomfort and paranoia. Every individual has a different way of dealing with things. Not all choices are correct, and some can be destructive.
Some of the options can also challenge you physically. Eating disorders and substance abuse are the common ones.
| Advantages Of CBT | Disadvantages Of CBT |
|---|---|
| As effective as medication | Relies on the will of the patient |
| It does not take much time | It comes with lots of homework |
| Focuses on different issues | Not successful for people suffering from learning difficulties |
| Different session therapies | Complex mental health needs |
| Real-world skills | Makes people feel worse |
| A collaborative effort | May not address underlying causes |
| Useful for all age groups | Focuses on individual’s capabilities to change |
Advantages of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
One should always find healthy coping mechanisms to deal with situations. Cognitive behavioral therapy will allow you to identify and work on intrusive thoughts. Below are some advantages you must read before considering cognitive behavioral therapy.
Effective as Medication
Over 7% of the United States population suffers from major depressive disorders. Health issues, including self-esteem, body image, anxiety attacks, and isolation, can be harmful and are treated with therapy and medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as medication as it helps build positive thoughts about yourself and your surroundings. Reconstruction of ideas can ease the discomfort in moderate to severe cases under professional supervision.
It Does Not Take Much Time
An individual session of therapy lasts for 30 minutes, and it goes up to 60 minutes. The time of treatment also depends on the issue that will address. Exposure therapy requires more time. Other than that, you can meet your therapist once every week.
A series lasts more than ten weeks or sometimes less than 20 weeks. There are always exceptions, as individuals can finish their series in five weeks. CBT will provide you with instant results compared to other therapies.
Focuses on Different Issues
CBT focuses on the overall emotional development of a person. Primary areas are situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, and actions, which are interconnected. Whenever you come across a difficult situation, your brain generates an idea.
We then experience various kinds of emotions. Emotions also lead to a physical expression which later decides the course of our actions. Cognitive behavioral therapy will allow you to find errors in your emotional trajectory.
Different Session Therapies
Cognitive behavioral therapy has talkative sessions and other tools for effective results—multiple mechanisms for reconstructing an individual’s thought process.
Individuals are provided with books to elaborate on the problems they need help with; Therapy sessions include self-help videos, computer programs, and road trips. You will feel comfortable and natural in your surroundings.
Real-World Skills
Cognitive behavioral therapy will also teach real-world skills in you as it’s a skill-based therapy—various kinds of coping strategies for difficult situations. As a result, your life will be least affected by toxic conditions.
It will teach you how to become resilient and create positive circles around you. Self-negativity will immediately leave your body. You won’t feel stressed in most difficult situations as you will be able to see through the bigger picture.
A Collaborative Effort
It’s going to be a collaborative effort between you and your therapist. You will work in a close-knit environment with your therapist to find solutions for your various kinds of problems.
Therapy will help you identify your issues and make the necessary changes. Your understanding solely determines your reaction. There is accountability involved as this is a collaborative effort.
Useful for All Age Groups
You do not necessarily have to be an adult to help yourself through cognitive behavioral therapy. Children and adults can both help themselves through treatment. It only requires a will to change the toxic patterns in your life.
A lot of people need to open up more easily regarding their problems. Keeping it inside might make situations difficult. Talkative sessions help individuals in opening up.
Disadvantages of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT has its disadvantages. You might face difficulties in your sessions because of the risks involved.
Relies on The Will of The Patient
If you wish for cognitive therapy to work in your favor, there must be self-love and an investment in yourself. It’s a collaborative effort between the therapist and an individual. A strong will always be required.
You must self-analyze your triggers, urges, and particular reactions. You may need to find a way to meet the expectations and put in the work that is required to get the results you were looking for. It would be best if you fully cooperated to see the changes.
It Comes with Lots of Homework
Homework is an integral part of the process. Assignments to see the developments between you and your therapist. Homework also involves rehearsing during a therapy session.
The patient will practice coping mechanisms to reconstruct their negative belief system. Patients must spend at least 1-2 hours on the respective elements daily.
Not Useful for People Suffering from Learning Difficulties
This approach might only work for some people suffering from learning difficulties. This therapy entirely relies on providing a safe environment; specific learning difficulties may eliminate all secure environments. Such problems limit the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Complex Mental Health Issues
Suffering from complex mental health issues may apply specific risks sometimes. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy reconstructs anxiety issues by changing our perception of difficult situations; complex phobias may eliminate the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy.
It Makes People Feel Worse
Not everyone is good at confronting their feelings, which requires a lot of strength and a strong will. Individuals unable to put in the required effort might feel worse about themselves. Facing fear and anxiety-related issues can create negativity.
It might become hard for those who constantly suffer from loneliness. One must never give up in the initial sessions of cognitive behavioral as it might leave the patient in a worse position.
May Not Address Underlying Causes
Chronic issues develop unbreakable negative cycles. Reconstruction towards positivity might seem difficult in such cases.
CBT may not address the problems which are creating these negative cycles. Instead, they might give you a temporary solution without addressing the core issue.
Focuses on Individual’s Capabilities to Change
An individual capacity is always required to bring change. Patients look for a better future instead of feeling miserable. You can manage your problems if you cooperate with the therapy.
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