There are two types of mental remedies for anxiety problems. Yes, medications are essential for treatment in some situations, and it is critical you speak with your psychologist or provider about treatment options. Medication therapy is a physiological remedy. Excluding medication therapy (i.e. SSRI’s), the two types of mental remedies for anxiety are cognitive therapy principles and positive psychology principles. Throughout my blog, I will provide examples of these remedies. Cognitive therapy was originally designed in the early 1960’s to reduce anxiety (and depression). Positive psychology was originally established in 1998 (although writers point to humanistic psychologists in the 1960’s as well as social workers who have focused on positive attributes and strengths as laying the groundwork for positive psychology). Positive psychology principles (PPP’s) are intended to build upon the strengths of individuals such as resilience.
First, cognitive therapy principles are empirical and based on clinical treatment research. Essentially, cognitive therapy principles, or CTP’s, work best when working with a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) expert. On aside, If you want to work with a CBT expert, it can be difficult to find a true CBT expert (i.e. every counselor, therapist, or psychologist states that they provide cognitive behavioral therapy). To find a true cognitive-behavioral expert, visit the website for the American Board of Professional Psychology, www.abpp.org or visit the academy of cognitive therapy www.academyofct.org . These are two of the ways to find practitioners who specialize in CBT.
I will provide examples of these two mental remedies as we move along in this blog. For now, briefly, both types of remedies have research foundations. Here is an example of each:
Example of a CTP = Normalizing can help you to stop catastrophizing danger. In the past, you believed a panic attack would lead to death. This never happened. You got yourself out of the panic attack. Panic attacks are difficult, but not awful.
Example of PPP = The Resilience factor is in your life. The experience of your recent adversity actually producing a “buffering effect” in you; you are more likely to handle future life challenges and anxiety producing situations. Embracing adversity can build resilience.
We will discuss these two mental remedies at length.
First, cognitive therapy principles are empirical and based on clinical treatment research. Essentially, cognitive therapy principles, or CTP’s, work best when working with a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) expert. On aside, If you want to work with a CBT expert, it can be difficult to find a true CBT expert (i.e. every counselor, therapist, or psychologist states that they provide cognitive behavioral therapy). To find a true cognitive-behavioral expert, visit the website for the American Board of Professional Psychology, www.abpp.org or visit the academy of cognitive therapy www.academyofct.org . These are two of the ways to find practitioners who specialize in CBT.
I will provide examples of these two mental remedies as we move along in this blog. For now, briefly, both types of remedies have research foundations. Here is an example of each:
Example of a CTP = Normalizing can help you to stop catastrophizing danger. In the past, you believed a panic attack would lead to death. This never happened. You got yourself out of the panic attack. Panic attacks are difficult, but not awful.
Example of PPP = The Resilience factor is in your life. The experience of your recent adversity actually producing a “buffering effect” in you; you are more likely to handle future life challenges and anxiety producing situations. Embracing adversity can build resilience.
We will discuss these two mental remedies at length.