Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - negative thoughts?

[Paco Dennis]

Never heard of the acronym HALT, but it makes sense. I need to start trying to apply it.

When I studied Buddhism I came across a technique that is similar. When ever the negative spiral is recognized you scream "PHAT". It worked on several occasions.

 

[Nathan]

CBT is criticized as superficial treatment and pays no attention to the deeper traumas and problems
in the mind. It is an off shoot of behaviorism that became popular in Fifties. Hey, if it works, then use it... it is
probably not permanent. Albert Ellis is one of the founders of CBT...for all sorts of negative intruding obsessive thoughts.

Therapy used to be a long, drawn out(and expensive) examination of the patients past, trying to determine the origin/root cause of the emotional pain & dysfunction. But, it was determined that such discovery was of low value in improving the patients present life. CBT aims to be 'goal oriented', to empower the individual to effect a positive change with the simple tools the therapist teaches.

 

[seadoug]

When I was suffering from severe depression and anxiety, I went to a therapist who made me think back to my childhood. He said I had chosen to "bury" my 9 year-old self, with all the trauma that came with it. I was absolutely bawling when I thought back and it was very cathartic.

He then suggested I use CBT going forward and it has helped me tremendously over the years. As an example, I traveled often in my career and always went through separation anxiety that would overtake me the day before I was leaving. I realized that as soon as I got to the airport all would be fine, so I just visualized what it would be like when I reached the airport and boarded the plane. I'm a believer.