What Conditions Are Effectively Treated with CBT?

Anorexia Nervosa
Although weighing less than 85% of that expected, those inflicted with this condition refuse to maintain appropriate weight for age and height due to fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. Individuals with Anorexia misperceive their body weight and shape and evaluate their self-worth based on these factors. Individuals may restrict food intake, or engage in binge-eating or purging behavior (e.g., laxatives, diuretics, enemas, and self-induced vomiting). back to top Asperger's Disorder
People with this condition have difficulty with social interactions. For example, non-verbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expression, and body postures are not used appropriately. In addition, individuals with Asperger's Disorder lack social or emotional reciprocity. These individuals are stuck with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests such as routines or rituals. Social interactions can become frustrating, confusing, and feel like a lot of work. back to top Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Individuals have difficulty paying attention to their surroundings with this condition. They may fail to notice details, forget or lose things, is easily distracted by external stimuli, have trouble organizing tasks and activities, and avoids/dislikes activities that require sustained attention and mental effort (e.g., homework). In addition, symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity exist which can manifest as excessive talking, fidgeting, restlessness, being "on the go," interrupting or intruding on others and difficulty awaiting one's turn. Some individuals do not experience both hyperactivity and inattention. back to top Bipolar Disorder
Individuals with Bipolar Disorder experience highs (mania) and lows (depression). During a manic episode, individuals may experience inflated self-esteem, heightened energy and less need for sleep, racing thoughts, and excessively engage in pleasurable activities such as foolish business investments, shopping sprees, and promiscuity. During a depressive episode, individuals may experience sadness, lack of ability to feel pleasure in activities that once felt pleasurable, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of death. back to top Body Dysmorphic Disorder
People suffering from this condition are preoccupied with an imagined defect in appearance. In the event that a physical anomaly is present, these individuals' concerns are excessive. This preoccupation causes tremendous distress or impairment in important areas of one's life. back to top Bulimia Nervosa
Those suffering from Bulimia engage in recurrent binge eating and inappropriate ways to prevent weight gain (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, enemas, fasting, and excessive exercise). Unlike individuals inflicted with Anorexia, those with Bulimia are able to maintain normal body weight. back to top Compulsive Hoarding
Compulsive hoarding is not currently included as a diagnosis in the current Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Individuals suffering from Compulsive Hoarding acquire and fail to discard possessions that appear seemingly useless to an outside observer. The clutter that results often poses a health hazard, and causes impairment in basic living activities such as cooking, showering, and mobility. back to top Dysthymic Disorder
Symptoms of Dysthymic Disorder include sadness which continues for two years in adults and one year in children and adolescents. In addition, individuals experience fatigue, hopelessness, low self-esteem, poor concentration or difficulty making decisions, and changes in appetite and sleep. Dysthymic Disorder differs from a Major Depressive Episode in that the depressive symptoms are chronic and less severe in the former. back to top Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time such as when they are presenting in front of an audience or interviewing for a job. However, those suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder experience excessive anxiety and worry about a myriad of issues such as health, finances, career, daily responsibilities, etc. Despite recognizing these worries as excessive, individuals have difficulty controlling them. Additional symptoms often include restlessness, irritability, muscle aches, and disturbed sleep. back to top Hypochondriasis
Those experiencing Hypochondriasis are preoccupied with fears of having a serious disease mainly from the misinterpretation of one's bodily symptoms. Individuals often seek medical attention but continue to be plagued with doubts such as "What if the doctor missed something or made a mistake?" or "Maybe I didn't explain my symptoms well enough." Due to these persistent doubts, this preoccupation remains despite repeated medical evaluation and reassurance. back to top Insomnia
Symptoms include difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep or non-restorative sleep. Individuals suffering from insomnia experience distress and impairment at work or school because of accumulated fatigue. back to top Major Depressive Disorder
During a depressive episode, individuals experience symptoms which may include sadness, lack of ability to feel pleasure in activities that once felt pleasurable, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, decrease or increase of appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, difficulty with concentration and indecisiveness, and suicidal thoughts. back to top Neurotic excoriation (skin picking)
Initially, skin picking begins as individuals attempt to improve one's appearance. However, this behavior often gets out of control and significant damage is done to the skin. Frequently, social impairment is also experienced as sufferers attempt to hide chronic skin-picking behaviors and the scars. back to top Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions, or recurrent and intrusive thoughts and images plague the sufferer of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Attempts are made to neutralize and reduce anxiety and discomfort through repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing and checking) and/or mental acts (e.g., visualizing something "good"). These compulsions only reduce the fear temporarily and begin to consume more and more time. back to top Panic Disorder
Those suffering from Panic Disorder experience panic attacks that come out of the blue. Panic attacks comprise of numerous and intense physiological sensations such as palpitations, dizziness, trembling, sweating, chest tightness/pain, and fear of losing control, dying or going crazy. Many individuals with panic disorder also experience agoraphobia and fear having a panic attack in a place where escape is difficult. Unfortunately, this can lead to widespread avoidance and loss of quality of life. back to top Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
A person exposed to a traumatic event such as sexual or physical assault or natural disaster can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Specifically, the traumatic event is reexperienced (e.g., recollections and dreams) and avoided (e.g., restricted range of emotions and thoughts/activities/people/places). In some instances, increased arousal is persistently experienced (i.e., hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and irritability or anger outbursts). back to top Social Phobia
People with Social Phobia experience intense and persistent fear of scrutiny, criticism, and embarrassment. Many social interactions are avoided or endured with much distress. The common sequence is anticipatory anxiety prior to the event, distress during the interaction, and worry following the event about whether one made a mistake, sounded stupid, anxiety was apparent, etc. back to top
Specific Phobia
Those suffering from Specific Phobia experience excessive fear that is triggered by a specific object or situation. Common phobic stimuli include heights, flying, animals, blood, and receiving an injection. The presence of the feared stimulus causes anxiety and at times also a panic attack. Phobic situations are frequently avoided or endured with much distress. back to top Trichotillomania
Individuals with Trichotillomania often experience tension prior to pulling out the hair and pleasure, relief, or gratification while pulling out the hair. Hair can be pulled from the scalp, eyebrows, eye lashes, arms, legs, arm pits, and/or private area. Pulling is often triggered by stressors, as well as over stimulating emotions (e.g., anger and anxiety) and under stimulating emotions (e.g., boredom and fatigue). Noticeable hair loss results with recurrent pulling behavior. back to top

*Descriptions of conditions compiled from the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR).