This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The basis of cognitive behavioural therapy is that psychological disease stems from faulty patterns of thinking and behaviour.

Faulty thinking originates in maladaptive attitudes and assumptions acquired early in life. Problems arise when these assumptions are challenged by a critical life event. If the attitudes are too extreme or rigidly held then the patient may develop irrationally negative thought patterns.

For example:

  • maladaptive attitude: happiness consists of career success
  • critical life event: failure to be promoted
  • negative thought process: I am a complete failure

Faulty behaviour exacerbates the problems caused by the cognitive disorder. Patients may become socially withdrawn, take less exercise and adopt avoidance behaviour.

Cognitive behavour therapy uses a range of techniques to challenge the faulty thought processes and behaviour.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.