Preface

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a modern form of short-term psychotherapy based on the idea that the way an individual thinks and feels affects the way he or she behaves.

The core premise of this treatment approach was pioneered by Albert Ellis, who in 1957 introduced the name "rational emotive therapy" to emphasize its focus on emotional outcomes. Successively, Aaron Beck in 1976 created "cognitive therapy," which served as the basis for the development of CBT.

According to Beck's formulation, maladaptive cognitions, which consist of general beliefs or schemas about the self, the world, and the future, contribute to the maintenance of emotional distress and behavioral problems. According to this model, specific therapeutic strategies that change maladaptive cognitions lead to changed emotional distress and problematic behaviors.

In 1995, Ellis created the term "rational emotive behavior therapy" because behavioral factors constitute a fundamental component of this treatment approach. More recently, practitioners and scholars started to call it rational-emotive and "cognitive-behavior therapy" to emphasize its role in the CBT paradigm.

Since these early models, CBT has developed appropriate protocols to treat subjects of almost every age such as children, adolescents, adults, or the elderly and for individuals, families, and couples.

CBT integrates cognitive science and behavioral theories that are combined with clinical psychology and concludes that the way people perceive a situation determines their reaction more than the actual reality of the situation.

CBT provides useful tools that can be used to induce or facilitate belief revision such as cognitive restructuring or exposure/response prevention; these protocols have been applied both in groups and in individuals, even if the individual format is used more frequently than the group format.

This treatment plan uses patient collaboration as a motivating factor to generate changes in behavior, beliefs, and habits that can be self-reinforced. In fact, CBT gets patients actively involved in their treatment so that they understand that the way to improve their lives is to adjust their thinking and their approach to everyday situations.

The overall goal of this treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder.

CBT protocols are effective in the treatment of a vast variety of mental disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders (such as hypochondriasis and

body dysmorphic disorder), general stress or post-traumatic stress disorders, panic disorders (in particular with agoraphobia or social phobia), emotional disorders (depression, dysthymia), obsessive–compulsive disorders, problematic gambling, substance use disorder (such as nicotine, cannabis, opioid, or alcohol dependence), eating disorders (such as bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorders), sleep dysfunction (especially insomnia), or to approach fatigue and chronic pain conditions, especially if associated with distress.

CBT is probably effective also for psychotic disorders especially on positive symptoms (i.e., delusions and/or hallucinations) of schizophrenia, personality disorders (including antisocial personality disorder), anger expression (anger, verbal and physical aggression, driving anger, anger suppression, and anger difficulties), and bipolar disorders. CBT is particularly promising for schizophrenia patients who suffer from acute episodes of psychosis rather than a more chronic condition.

Neurofunctional studies have demonstrated that CBT induces brain activation and functional changes in the amygdala, insula, and anterior corticolimbic brain circuits that control cognitive, motivational, and emotional aspects of physiology and behavior.

CBT should be used by health professionals with experience and training in cognitive and behavioral therapies, especially when used for the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders.

This book, written by authors with expertise in CBT, is useful for both clinicians and psychotherapists who want to understand modern cognitive psychology and develop specific personalized treatment plans of CBT.

The book is divided in two sections: theories of cognitive behavioral psychology and examples of applications of cognitive behavioral practice in different psychological situations.

The first section of the book consists of three chapters on cognitive psychology and prosocial behavior.

The first chapter is an introductory chapter titled Introductory Chapter: Definition of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Principal Applications.

In the next chapter on cognitive psychology and modern education, Prof. Oleg Backsanskig discusses the role of the cognitive approach in modern society and in the modern era of computer digitalization. According to Prof. Backsanskig cognitive approaches influence human activity not only in scientific fields, but also in social, political, and economic interactions.

Backsanskig discusses the bases of multidisciplinary approaches to persons and society problems according to information theory that also supposes pragmatic knowledge. He discusses various cognitive approaches based on entropy or combinational theories.

The author, relying on the etymology of different words from past Greek and Latin philosophers but also modern philosophers, explains a modern view of perception that closely agrees with informational theory.

**V**

success.

Eidelman and others.

to practice tolerance and kindness to others.

delusional beliefs, and skin picking.

application of CBT in depressive disorders.

living, and relations with others.

important since if unresolved they can cause depression.

techniques of CBT.

formulation-based, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

psychological applications of cognitive behavioral practice.

The third chapter is centered on the role of self-efficacy in forming prosocial behavior.

According to Dr. Rosmawati Mohamad Rasit, prosocial behavior consists of positive actions commonly practiced in socio-surroundings such as the action of helping, loving, and developing empathy with each other. The formation of prosocial behavior has a connection with one's self-efficacy that is a trait where one can make a sound judgment about his or her own decisions, so that they can achieve personal

The author describes the characteristics that are important in determining prosocial behavior, such as personality traits or religious values since it encourages its society

Psychological interventions influence positive social behavior; for example, investigations of social support and negative social exchange as studied by

Mohamad Rasit discusses the possibility that having data on negative social exchanges at the start of treatment may benefit the outcome of ideographic, case

The chapter by Dr. Norzihan Ayub et al. concerns CBT for body dysmorphic disorder that is a mental disorder associated with psychological symptoms such as preoccupations with defects in physical appearance that are not observable to others, repetitive behaviors in response to appearance concerns, preoccupations causing clinically significant distress or impairment in social areas of functioning, and preoccupations with body fat or weight, whose symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and other features such as avoidance behaviors,

In this chapter the authors discuss the clinical diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder, similarities with other mental illnesses, clinical assessment, the serotonin or other neurotransmitter hypothesis to explain the onset of body distorted image. Finally, the authors discuss psychological interventions or techniques of CBT (such as psychoeducation, exposure, ritual prevention, perceptual retraining) needed to treat individuals with body dysmorphic disorder to contrast their negative perception on physical appearance, mentioning practical examples of the

In the chapter by Dr. Michael Lamport Commons et al. we have an example of the

The authors describe the questionnaire "Existential Crisis Instrument" created to assess and measure the severity of existential crisis on the bases of a study on 50 participants who had to answer questions about the meaning of life, philosophy of

As the authors explain, the background and nature of existential crises are

The second section of the book consists of three chapters that contain examples of

The third chapter is centered on the role of self-efficacy in forming prosocial behavior.

According to Dr. Rosmawati Mohamad Rasit, prosocial behavior consists of positive actions commonly practiced in socio-surroundings such as the action of helping, loving, and developing empathy with each other. The formation of prosocial behavior has a connection with one's self-efficacy that is a trait where one can make a sound judgment about his or her own decisions, so that they can achieve personal success.

The author describes the characteristics that are important in determining prosocial behavior, such as personality traits or religious values since it encourages its society to practice tolerance and kindness to others.

Psychological interventions influence positive social behavior; for example, investigations of social support and negative social exchange as studied by Eidelman and others.

Mohamad Rasit discusses the possibility that having data on negative social exchanges at the start of treatment may benefit the outcome of ideographic, case formulation-based, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The second section of the book consists of three chapters that contain examples of psychological applications of cognitive behavioral practice.

The chapter by Dr. Norzihan Ayub et al. concerns CBT for body dysmorphic disorder that is a mental disorder associated with psychological symptoms such as preoccupations with defects in physical appearance that are not observable to others, repetitive behaviors in response to appearance concerns, preoccupations causing clinically significant distress or impairment in social areas of functioning, and preoccupations with body fat or weight, whose symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and other features such as avoidance behaviors, delusional beliefs, and skin picking.

In this chapter the authors discuss the clinical diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder, similarities with other mental illnesses, clinical assessment, the serotonin or other neurotransmitter hypothesis to explain the onset of body distorted image. Finally, the authors discuss psychological interventions or techniques of CBT (such as psychoeducation, exposure, ritual prevention, perceptual retraining) needed to treat individuals with body dysmorphic disorder to contrast their negative perception on physical appearance, mentioning practical examples of the techniques of CBT.

In the chapter by Dr. Michael Lamport Commons et al. we have an example of the application of CBT in depressive disorders.

As the authors explain, the background and nature of existential crises are important since if unresolved they can cause depression.

The authors describe the questionnaire "Existential Crisis Instrument" created to assess and measure the severity of existential crisis on the bases of a study on 50 participants who had to answer questions about the meaning of life, philosophy of living, and relations with others.

**IV**

body dysmorphic disorder), general stress or post-traumatic stress disorders, panic disorders (in particular with agoraphobia or social phobia), emotional disorders (depression, dysthymia), obsessive–compulsive disorders, problematic gambling, substance use disorder (such as nicotine, cannabis, opioid, or alcohol dependence), eating disorders (such as bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorders), sleep dysfunction (especially insomnia), or to approach fatigue and chronic pain conditions, especially

CBT is probably effective also for psychotic disorders especially on positive symptoms (i.e., delusions and/or hallucinations) of schizophrenia, personality disorders (including antisocial personality disorder), anger expression (anger, verbal and physical aggression, driving anger, anger suppression, and anger difficulties), and bipolar disorders. CBT is particularly promising for schizophrenia patients who suffer from acute episodes of psychosis rather than a more chronic condition.

Neurofunctional studies have demonstrated that CBT induces brain activation and functional changes in the amygdala, insula, and anterior corticolimbic brain circuits that control cognitive, motivational, and emotional aspects of physiology and

CBT should be used by health professionals with experience and training in cognitive and behavioral therapies, especially when used for the treatment of

develop specific personalized treatment plans of CBT.

This book, written by authors with expertise in CBT, is useful for both clinicians and psychotherapists who want to understand modern cognitive psychology and

The book is divided in two sections: theories of cognitive behavioral psychology and examples of applications of cognitive behavioral practice in different psychological

The first section of the book consists of three chapters on cognitive psychology and

The first chapter is an introductory chapter titled Introductory Chapter: Definition

In the next chapter on cognitive psychology and modern education, Prof. Oleg Backsanskig discusses the role of the cognitive approach in modern society and in the modern era of computer digitalization. According to Prof. Backsanskig cognitive approaches influence human activity not only in scientific fields, but also

Backsanskig discusses the bases of multidisciplinary approaches to persons and society problems according to information theory that also supposes pragmatic knowledge. He discusses various cognitive approaches based on entropy or

The author, relying on the etymology of different words from past Greek and Latin philosophers but also modern philosophers, explains a modern view of perception

of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Principal Applications.

in social, political, and economic interactions.

that closely agrees with informational theory.

if associated with distress.

anxiety and mood disorders.

behavior.

situations.

prosocial behavior.

combinational theories.

The authors describe five existential crises on the basis of accessibility to choose: the early teenage crisis (in the phase of transition toward independence from family), the sophomore crisis (related to questions such as: Who am I? Who can I be?), the adult crisis (which concerns questions of increased complexity such as choice of religion, political party, familial dedication, level of attachment to others, etc.), the midlife crisis (which regards changes in personal goals, lifestyle, social roles, etc.), and the later-life crisis (usually triggered by retirement, losing a job, illness, or death of a loved one).

The study of existential crisis is important to begin an accurate and correct CBT, which can help to treat depression, recognizing negative patterns of thought and replacing them with healthier ways of thinking.

On this basis, CBT can be used to concentrate attention on the immediate present, focus on specific problems, take an educational approach, attribute to patients an active role in their learning using homework assignments, and develop multiple strategies such as role playing, imaging, guided discovery, and behavioral experiments.

The last chapter by Prof. Prisla Calvetti et al. is about neurosciences and emotional regulation, and can be considered an introduction to the development of cognitive behavioral techniques for psychiatric disorders such as aggression, bipolar disorders, or criminal behavior.

In this chapter the authors describe factors to be considered in structuring personality and behavioral control from adolescence to adult age.

These factors make evident the importance not only of biological factors such as genetic components or cerebral connections, but also the result of complex interactions with the environment to determine predisposition of psychological tracts and cognitive functions.

From a cognitive point of view, the authors emphasize the importance of dysfunction in executive functions, which can be studied using neuropsychological tasks based on go-no go modality.

Executive dysfunctions or dysexecutive syndromes are a warning of an alteration in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe, which are areas related to impulsive control and can be used to understand predisposition to develop psychiatric disorders with regard to particular controls of impulses such as aggression or control of behavior as in antisocial personality disorders on the basis of criminal acts.

In their opinion it is important to evaluate elements such as repentance, empathy, commotion, motivation, chronicity, and severity of antisocial behavior to determine the modality of cognitive behavioral strategies in treating both hospitalized and non-hospitalized psychiatric patients.

In conclusion I hope that this book can be useful to better understand CBT techniques used for a wide range of psychological problems or to develop specific CBT protocols since there is a clear need for high-quality studies examining the

**VII**

efficacy of CBT especially when compared with other psychological interventions, specific behavioral interventions, psychoeducational approaches, counseling

Finally, I think we need more psychometrical instruments to measure the CBT mechanism of change, and systematic studies to analyze the mechanism of cerebral

> **Sandro Misciagna, MD and PhD** Neurology Department and Stroke Unit,

> > Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy

functional changes induced by cognitive behavioral paradigms.

interventions, or pharmacotherapy.

efficacy of CBT especially when compared with other psychological interventions, specific behavioral interventions, psychoeducational approaches, counseling interventions, or pharmacotherapy.

Finally, I think we need more psychometrical instruments to measure the CBT mechanism of change, and systematic studies to analyze the mechanism of cerebral functional changes induced by cognitive behavioral paradigms.

> **Sandro Misciagna, MD and PhD** Neurology Department and Stroke Unit, Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy

**VI**

The authors describe five existential crises on the basis of accessibility to choose: the early teenage crisis (in the phase of transition toward independence from family), the sophomore crisis (related to questions such as: Who am I? Who can I be?), the adult crisis (which concerns questions of increased complexity such as choice of religion, political party, familial dedication, level of attachment to others, etc.), the midlife crisis (which regards changes in personal goals, lifestyle, social roles, etc.), and the later-life crisis (usually triggered by retirement, losing a job, illness, or

The study of existential crisis is important to begin an accurate and correct CBT, which can help to treat depression, recognizing negative patterns of thought and

On this basis, CBT can be used to concentrate attention on the immediate present, focus on specific problems, take an educational approach, attribute to patients an active role in their learning using homework assignments, and develop multiple strategies such as role playing, imaging, guided discovery, and behavioral

The last chapter by Prof. Prisla Calvetti et al. is about neurosciences and emotional regulation, and can be considered an introduction to the development of cognitive

behavioral techniques for psychiatric disorders such as aggression, bipolar

In this chapter the authors describe factors to be considered in structuring

From a cognitive point of view, the authors emphasize the importance of

dysfunction in executive functions, which can be studied using neuropsychological

Executive dysfunctions or dysexecutive syndromes are a warning of an alteration in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe, which are areas related to impulsive control and can be used to understand predisposition to develop psychiatric disorders with regard to particular controls of impulses such as aggression or control of behavior as

In their opinion it is important to evaluate elements such as repentance, empathy,

commotion, motivation, chronicity, and severity of antisocial behavior to determine the modality of cognitive behavioral strategies in treating both

In conclusion I hope that this book can be useful to better understand CBT techniques used for a wide range of psychological problems or to develop specific CBT protocols since there is a clear need for high-quality studies examining the

These factors make evident the importance not only of biological factors such as genetic components or cerebral connections, but also the result of complex interactions with the environment to determine predisposition of psychological

personality and behavioral control from adolescence to adult age.

in antisocial personality disorders on the basis of criminal acts.

hospitalized and non-hospitalized psychiatric patients.

death of a loved one).

experiments.

disorders, or criminal behavior.

tracts and cognitive functions.

tasks based on go-no go modality.

replacing them with healthier ways of thinking.

**1**

Section 1

Theories of Cognitive

Behavioral Psychology

Section 1
