Cognitive restructuring
What is cognitive restructuring? The changing of one’s thoughts and feelings from negative ones to positive ones
Who will benefit? Anyone with the following: Anxiety Depression Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
WHO Will benefit, cont’d Cardiovascular Disease Cerebrovascular Disease Those with highly stressful jobs
How does it work? Identify the thought or thoughts causing depression, anxiety or stress Identify what aspect of these thoughts makes the patient the most uneasy
How it works, cont’d 3. Develop a list of more realistic outcomes 4. Replace the negative and stressful thoughts with the more positive realistic thoughts 5. Continue to practice
Practical application Lake County Jail, Illinois Inmates received behavioral therapy, including the teaching of cognitive restructuring techniques Inmates learned how to identify their own, personal causes of anger
Lake county jail, cont’d Inmates then learned how to think logically about the situation and figure out better ways of coping with confrontation Studies show inmates involved with cognitive restructuring had decreased instances of violence and decrease instances of repeat institutionalization