“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy
that can help you manage your problems
by changing the way you think and behave”.1

Umbrella

What may the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral/Behaviour/Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Definition

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

DotS the definition of CBT may vary. The (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.

It’s most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems”.2

The (United States) National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI) definition is:

“Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring relationships among a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT a therapist will actively work with a person to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs”.3

On page one in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms the (British) Women’s Health Concern’s (WHC) definition is:

“Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring relationships among a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT a therapist will actively work with a person to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs”.4

Treatment

What may CBT be used to treat?

In Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the NAMI:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy“Studies of CBT have shown it to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Individuals who undergo CBT show changes in brain activity, suggesting that this therapy actually improves your brain functioning as well”.5

In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview – Uses for CBT the NHS elaborate on:

“In addition to depression or anxiety disorders, CBT can also help people with:

  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Eating Disorders – such as anorexia and bulimia…
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)…
  • Panic Disorder…
  • Phobias…
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)…
  • Psychosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Sleep Problems – such as insomnia…
  • Problems related to alcohol misuse…

CBT is also sometimes used to treat people with long-term health conditions, such as:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic pain

Although CBT cannot cure the physical symptoms of these conditions, it can help people cope better with their symptoms”.6

How

How does CBT work?

In Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the NAMI:

“The core principles of CBT are identifying negative or false beliefs and testing or restructuring them. Oftentimes someone being treated with CBT will have homework in between sessions where they practice replacing negative thoughts with with more realistic thoughts based on prior experiences or record their negative thoughts in a journal”.7

In Overview – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): How CBT Works the NHS elaborate on:

“CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts.

You’re shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel”.8

Different Differences

How is CBT different from some other talking treatments?

The NHS explain:

“Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past.

It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis”.9

NICE Guideline, 07 November 2024

What do the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend about CBT in their Menopause: Identification and Management?

On page 12 in Menopause: Identification and Management – Recommendations: 1.4 Discussing Management Options With People Aged 40 or Over [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024] the NICE recommend:

“Evidence showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could be an option for some people with vasomotor symptoms, depressive symptoms or sleep problems. CBT could be used either alongside HRT or, for people for whom HRT is contraindicated or who prefer not to take it, instead of HRT. Several types of CBT (for example, online or group sessions) were found to be effective, but the evidence did not show that 1 option was better than another. The committee therefore recommended that the available options should be discussed with the person. They were also aware that some people needed information on what CBT involves. It was recognised that people have different preferences and needs and that these should be taken into account during these discussions (for example, reasonable adjustments may be needed for people with learning disabilities)”.10

Hot Flushes

Is CBT effective in managing hot flushes?

In Managing Your Symptoms: Managing Sleep Disturbance – Therapies and Supplements: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) the JH note:

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage hot flushes and night sweats by reducing the impact they have on you. CBT is also effective in treating sleep problems such as insomnia”.11

On page five in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopause Symptoms: CBT for Hot Flushes the WHC elaborate on:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy“CBT for hot flushes focuses on the links between physical symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The way we think about symptoms in certain situations tends to affect the emotions we feel and what we do, and these reactions can in turn increase intensity of the hot flushes”.12

In Harness the Power of Your Mind To Beat Hot Flushes: It’s the Symptom That Plagues So Many Menopausal Women — and Now Here’s A Drug-Free Way That’s Proven To Tackle It the authors elaborate on:

“…CBT, by changing behaviours and thought patterns surrounding hot flushes, can dramatically reduce their frequency, duration and intensity. It can also help ease menopausal symptoms such as low mood and poor sleep. It effectively targets the vicious cycle so symptoms become more manageable and mood improves”.13

Health Care Provider

What if I think I could benefit from CBT?

If you would think you could benefit from CBT, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“CBT can be a very helpful tool ― either alone or in combination with other therapies ― in treating mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an eating disorder. But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health condition. CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations”.14

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Links

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Sources

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Sources

  1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 10 November 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 10 November 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  3. Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy Accessed: 08 December 2024
  4. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms. Publication Date: February 2023:1. https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-cbt-menopausal-symptoms/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  5. Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy Accessed: 08 December 2024
  6. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview – Uses for CBT. Page Last Reviewed: 10 November 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  7. Psychotherapy: Popular Types of Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy Accessed: 08 December 2024
  8. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview – How CBT Works. Page Last Reviewed: 10 November 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  9. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Overview – How CBT Works. Page Last Reviewed: 10 November 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  10. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]: Recommendations – 1.4 Discussing Management Options With People Aged 40 or Over. Published: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 07 November 2024]. Page 12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/resources/menopause-identification-and-management-pdf-1837330217413 Accessed: 08 December 2024
  11. Managing Your Symptoms: Managing Sleep Disturbance – Therapies and Supplements: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Last Updated: 31 October 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/managing-your-symptoms Accessed: 08 December 2024
  12. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopause Symptoms: CBT for Hot Flushes. Publication Date: February 2023:5. British Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-cbt-menopausal-symptoms/ Accessed: 08 December 2024
  13. Hunter, M. and Smith, M. Harness the Power of Your Mind To Beat Hot Flushes: It’s the Symptom That Plagues So Many Menopausal Women — and Now Here’s A Drug-Free Way That’s Proven To Tackle It. 26 January 2021 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9185969/Harness-power-mind-beat-hot-flushes.html Accessed: 08 December 2024
  14. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Overview. 16 March 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610 Accessed: 08 December 2024
Topic Last Updated: 08 December 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 08 December 2024