Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a specific treatment that can help sufferers of multiple types of personality disorders, such as social anxiety, psychotic, depression and posttraumatic stress syndrome. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a progressive form of therapy and very goal oriented, which many believe to be the most effective way of treating personality disorders today. (Even surpassing the idea of medication)
The doctor or therapist presiding over the sessions may start the treatment by helping the patient to question their notions; for instance, how can they be so sure that others are always watching and judging them? The component at work here is to try and alter a person’s instinctual reaction to stress-provoking stimuli. Patients are shown evidence in the “real world” that their thought processes are not realistic or actually “happening.”
One major component of CBT is the technique of gradual exposure. In this instance, the doctor or therapist will force the patient to confront the things they fear, such as groups, speaking in public or being the “center of attention.” However, instead of forcing the patient to confront these fears haphazardly, the doctor ensures that the confrontation takes place in a very structured and sensitive manner.
Another technique often used in cognitive behavioral therapy is that of systematic desensitization. This involves the doctor helping the patient to imagine the stressful situation taking place, simulating it in some way, and then working through the rising fears in a relaxed and controlled environment.
It’s important to realize that going through cognitive behavioral therapy is usually not a fast process for clients. The sessions are brief, especially when compared to other types of therapy sessions. However, clients must be helped to recognize when and why their mental processes deteriorate and then some period of time will be required in order to replace dysfunctional behavior with adaptive coping mechanisms.
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