This paper will cover some disorders where Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is the most recommended treatment. While CBT is not one specific approach but rather different approaches that share common goals. For instance, Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and Dialectic Behavior Therapy are all considered Cognitive-Behavioral approaches. These approaches have shown great improvement in a variety of disorders including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, and eating disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa. CBT's goal is to help individuals focus on negative thought patterns and behaviors they are experiencing and learn ways to modify those thought patterns and behaviors into more positive ones. .
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Bulimia Nervosa.
Eating disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa are primarily cognitive based. Individuals (mostly women) suffering from eating disorders center their lives around unhealthy or unrealistic weight goals and body shape. Bulimia Nervosa is marked by symptoms of binge-eating then purging and/or the use of laxatives to counter possible weight gain. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists work with individuals to change negative thought processes and behaviors. It is very important that the therapist develops a strong, caring relationship with the individual for the therapy to be successful. The therapist helps the individual establish more positive thought patterns and set clear, attainable goals for themselves. .
The primary goal of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is to remove distorted ways of thinking by the individual suffering from Bulimia Nervosa that keeps them in a negative behavior pattern. Several studies have been conducted in the efficacy of CBT and Bulimia Nervosa. .
Findings specifically show: .
1) CBT has broadly beneficial effects on all aspects of the psychopathology of bulimia nervosa.