Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT can help with fibromyalgiaBecause fibromyalgia might sometimes be referred to as a psychosomatic disorder, it is easy to confuse somebody with the disorder as “faking” it or to assume that the pain they feel isn’t “real.” This is often a discredit to the patient because the pain they feel is very real and can be very severe. That being said, the treatment of fibromyalgia using cognitive behavioral therapy can be greatly beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that assists people to identify and develop skills in order to change negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT states that the individual, on their own, create their own experiences and reality, not outside or external factors. By changing these negative thoughts and behaviors, people can also alter their awareness of pain and develop more effective coping skills (9). Cognitive Behavioral therapy relies on techniques that chemically alter the way our brain reacts and deals with certain situations and stressors. Research has been supporting CBT for many years now by making obvious connections to the way we think with the way our brain works. Through exercises and therapeutic activities included in CBT, neurotransmitters that control the way serotonin and norepinephrine are released during synaptic responses are ultimately changed and positively affected. These activities or tenants of CBT involve changing the way we talk about ourselves, the way we see the world, and the way we allow events to affect our lives. Mindfulness training and meditation are also a part of CBT which helps to reduce stress and treat symptoms of fibromyalgia. The popularity of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is rapidly rising due to its successful healing of many different types of pain disorders and conditions.