Behavior Therapy

There is no one in this world who doesn't have particular habits which are identified with him/her. All of us have something which we repeatedly keep doing or practicing, and it is very difficult for us to get rid of it. In psychology, these habits are our personalities and behavior which define us.

Some people have an affinity towards cleanliness, some have specific gestures which they are habituated to, some like to be organized, some are short tempered, while some are perfectionists. Whatever these habits, they are a part of our behavior.

But when these habits become obsessions, they can be risky for our own health and are termed as behavioral disorders. Sometimes they are innate but most of the time these disorders are developed or induced, due to certain situations thus transforming into addictions. This is where behavior therapy comes into picture.

Some of the most common behavioral disorders are Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and a few addictions like drinking, smoking, drugs, etc. These disorders also have many sub categories, in which the various types of behavioral abnormalities seen in people are classified.

As mentioned, as humans all of us have some or the other behavioral problems, but when they become obsessive addictions that we can't control, one is advised treatment. This treatment is known as behavior therapy, where the unfavorable behavior patterns, observed in patients, are modified into healthy habits with some psychological techniques and activities.

These techniques can be used on adults as well as children with various behavioral disorders and mental illnesses like aggressive behavior, eating disorders, anger management, anxiety disorders and phobias.

There are various types of techniques used in this therapy, and each of them have a different approach of modifying the patient's behavior. One of the most effective techniques is the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

It focuses on changing the negative patterns of thinking, and can modify disorders like personality disorders, social phobia, agoraphobia, ADHD, etc. These problems are also observed in kids and thus, you can use this as behavior therapy for children. A few other techniques for this therapy are mentioned ahead, take a look.

Behavioral Activation: Using this technique for depression, the patient is allowed to enjoy his favorite activities which makes him happy and cheerful. This technique makes the patient engage himself in rewarding acts and, in turn, pulls him out of depression. Children with autism are also treated with this therapy as they need to be cared for and respected.

Exposure Therapy: During this therapy the patient is not exposed to any addictions, habits or activities which cause stress and ill health.

He is made to experience complete liberation with the help of relaxation methods, environment modification and assertive training, so that he learns to overcome his disorder and change his approach. This is also one of the effective cognitive therapy techniques, used in this treatment.

Contingency Management: In this therapy, the good actions done by the patient are encouraged and the wrong actions are ignored.

Since these patients are very vulnerable to any negative reactions, it is always advised that their behavior should not be taken as offensive, but support them through it. This is a very effective technique for ADHD, as these patients are already suffering from ignorance.

Some other techniques used, in behavior modification, to modify and change negative behavioral aspect of a patient can be as follows;

• Art Therapy
• Existential Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Humanistic Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Family/Marital Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Psycho-analytic Therapy
• Psycho-dynamic Therapy

Anyone could face a behavioral disorder and stay oblivious to the fact forever, but if you are diagnosed, wouldn't you want to be treated with love and affection?

Disclaimer: This content is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.