Mental health is an important part of our everyday lives. The way we view situations and people can have a huge impact on our personal and working relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, has been used by mental health providers since the founder Aaron Beck saw firsthand the benefits of this practice. It is used to help those who may suffer from mental trauma, addictions, or phobias. Even people who experience the everyday stresses of daily activities may find that CBT can play a positive role in life and help reinforce healthy behaviors. Here are some of the benefits cognitive therapy can provide to you or a loved one.
Source: Study.com
Finding treatment
There are a variety of situations that can be successfully improved with cognitive therapy in NYC. Discussing any issues you may be having with your doctor is a good place to start. If you are having trouble sleeping or feeling incredibly anxious, you may be walking around with a hidden mental health issue that can be treated with CBT. When living in a city of millions such as New York, you can find a number of resources to help find you the right doctor and treatment. Those who suffer from addictions from either alcohol or drugs may also find this type of treatment beneficial. A large part of CBT is learning how to cope with one’s negative thoughts and feelings, and learning to distinguish between each of them. You can seek treatment by searching online for a local therapist or addiction center near you.
Source: Balanced Achievement
How does CBT work?
Cognitive behavioral therapy works to help change the patterns of how you think. There are some illnesses that may work better with the help of CBT. Some examples are certain phobias like flying or social fears. Your therapist may sit with you and discuss what your fears are. By talking it out with her, you may come to feel highly anxious. Your therapist will help reflect on such feelings and encourage you to “rewrite” or change your negative thoughts. By calling attention to the feelings associated with your particular fear, you can be more aware of the situation when it occurs. Living in a large city such as New York, you may feel some triggers when caught in the everyday hustle and bustle.
If you suffer from panic attacks, CBT can be used to help ease your fears. One way this can be used to help is to reread a therapy session’s transcript so that a patient hears their fears over and over. This gives them a safe way to confront these emotions and find healthy solutions to overcome them. When you or a loved one is dealing with a more severe type of mental illness, such as schizophrenia, CBT can be used in addition to medication. Journaling is a good way to keep track of your feelings and progressions. Your doctor can integrate this into your therapy to help reach attainable goals.
Source: Schizophrenia Library – NeuRA
Finding a path to well being
Over 40 million adults suffer from mental health issues in the US. It is the leading disability in New York and found in a large percentage of those who fall below the poverty line. Programs are being created to combat the rise in illnesses and provide people with resources and treatment centers. You can receive a free mental health first aid training session thanks to the Thrive NYC Initiative which began in 2015. These NYC programs are designed to educate people such as children and veterans about mental health issues in a variety of areas. In addition to finding the right doctor and treatment, there are things you can do to help improve your health. Physical activity can boost cognitive functions for middle-aged adults and those who are even older. Getting out and doing activities such as swimming, walking, golf, and other activities you may enjoy can help improve brain functions like memory retention and age-related dementia.
