This will be my last week of cognitive behavioral therapy. I only tried it because my family pleaded but due to time and expense it is no longer an option. Plus I don’t think that I’m in that category of those whom it helps the most. CBT is a common adjunct to meds when the person with schizophrenia is stabilized but continues to have a baseline of functional disturbances. It is commonly done with exercises out of a workbook given to the client by the psychotherapist. CBT has both behavioral and cognitive aspects.
Regarding behavior, CBT is supposed to weaken the mental connection to troublesome situations and thereby altering the reactions (fear, depression or anger). The cognitive component of CBT targets thought patterns and seeks to alter the emotional state and corresponding behaviors. My psychotherapist worked with me to make me aware of my irrational beliefs and alter them through cognitive restructuring (behavior modification). I did cognitive rehearsal and practiced different responses to different situations that I encountered. Not only did I have workbook exercises but I also was required to journal which this blogging assisted with over the time I tried out CBT. Overall the positive reinforcement and systematic desensitization helped me learn new tactics to handle my illness.
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