Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach with applications
to Tinnitus and other conditions such as depression, anxiety,
post-traumatic stress, chronic pain and other issues where the
individual may have developed a negative perspective on their challenges
and limiting beliefs around how they will get past these challenges.
In the Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1, Martinez D, Waddell, P and
Theodoulou, M, looked for evidence based support for whether Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy is effective in the management of patients’ suffering
from tinnitus. Six clinical trials (285 participants) were included in
this review. They found a significant improvement in the quality of life
suggesting that CBT has a positive effect on the way in which people
cope with tinnitus.
CBT is a
therapeutic approach that empowers the person, who for some time,
perhaps years, has lost their sense of control and power over to their
condition. CBT facilitates ways that people can reclaim that power in
spite of their Tinnitus through the application of various self
management strategies.
In order to
understand Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it is important to understand
the premise behind Cognitive Theory.