Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A second alternative to prescription antidepressants is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT.

CBT can be used in conjunction with antidepressants or alone. This form of therapy can be used to treat the same symptoms for which a patient would normally take prescription antidepressants, like chronic anxiety, sleep disturbances, and severe stress. CBT uses two key components for treating these symptoms successfully: cognitive and behavioral therapy.

Behavioral therapy is rooted in changing a patient’s response to certain situations. These situations may trigger stress, depression, or anger in the patient. Behavioral therapy works to break down the patient’s association of these situations and their resulting reactions. Cognitive therapy helps the patient to assess which thought patterns are influencing certain situations and which patterns are provoked by other situations.

Together, CBT forms an active therapy that helps to alleviate patients’ symptoms by helping them to think and associate in a different way. CBT therapy involves more than reclining on a couch and discussing your worries and concerns. This form of therapy is designed to help the patient interact with his or her doctor and for both to be actively involved in each step of treatment.

CBT therapy utilizes the patient’s past only to explicate the reasons for the patient’s current behavior. Instead of focusing on past issues, CBT works to target any residual issues and move on to targeting positive life changes. Proponents of CBT proclaim the therapy has just as high of a success rate as prescribed antidepressants. Additionally, CBT proponents say the therapy has a smaller percentage of relapses than do antidepressant drugs.

Some patients may still need to combine CBT with drug therapy. These patients are generally those suffering from psychotic symptoms or those with major depression whose significant symptoms should be alleviated before using CBT alone. Those who seek CBT alone may find a shorter treatment time than taking prescription antidepressants, which often need to be taken from six to 12 months or longer. However, CBT can continue for as long as the patient deems necessary.

Unlike traditional therapy, CBT patients may find themselves with “homework,” readings, or assignments to continue their treatment outside the doctor’s office. Before undertaking CBT, discuss whether it is right for you with your mental health professional.