Behavior Therapy is a type of psychological therapy. It focuses on modification of unusual behavior. They identify the unnatural behaviors and replace them with healthier types. The main aim is to eliminate the unwanted behaviors.
Behavior therapy can be used to treat many psychological conditions. For example – Depression, ADD, ADHD, Addictions or any obsessive behaviors. It can also be helpful in treating insomnia, fatigue, phobias, manias, anxiety, depressions, aggressions, self-destructive behaviors etc. The length of treatment varies from individual to individual depending on the severity and condition. Behavior therapy is also seen to have earned good results in treating obesity. Therapists analyse the eating habits, diets and other daily habits. Then they try to push in the weight loss strategies, self-determination, healthier eating habits and hygienic daily habits.
The therapy involves training on assertiveness (forceful behavior), desensitization (reducing sensitivity), modifications in the environment and ways to relax. They work on increasing positivity, modeling (learning by imitating good behaviors of others) and social skills training. Therapists may also use contradiction methods as a mode of treatment. In this case, the patient will be encouraged to continue adverse behaviors. Treatment mode depends on the severity of symptoms.
Behavioral therapies are data-driven, focused on environment and circumstances, functional, probabilistic, monastic (treating person as a unit) and rational to analyze bidirectional interactions.
Anxiety altogether.
The patient is taken into imagination where the therapist approach the patient to be in a anxiety-producing situation. With repeated pairing of desired response with the undesired one will desensitize the old fear or anxiety response.
Flooding.
Here the patient is exposed directly to the anxiety-provoking situation in one effort. This will help extinguish the fear due to sudden shock.
Progressive relaxation.
This involves complete relaxation of the body muscles. Calm and even breathing is advised until the body is tension free. Relaxation is achieved by performing tensing and relaxing together repeatedly.
Precautions To Be Followed During Behavior Therapy:
- People who are interested to gain an insight into their past do not need to undergo behavior therapy.
- Willingness in a person is a must before starting behavior therapy.
- Behavioral therapy need not be followed without medical prescription for cognitively-impaired individuals (patients with brain disease).
- Behavior Therapy may be opted after performing a complete study of the level of functionality of the patient.
- Because of the brief nature of behavioral therapy, relapse has been reported in some patient populations. However, follow-up sessions can frequently put patients back on track to recovery.
- Few patients may get their condition worsen up during sessions. Have a detailed study on them. Try if further sessions can help him recover.
