Sigmund Freud was first to coin the term “hysterical conversion” towards the end of the 19th century, as a way to label the phenomena in which unpleasant memories are repressed into the unconscious and “converted” into physical symptoms (North,2015). His model suggested that the emotional effects from painful or traumatic experiences would be consciously repressed as a way to manage the pain, but would at the same time somehow “convert” the emotional pain into neurological symptoms (Webster, 2004). Throughout time and development, Freud’s “hysterical conversion” soon turned into its own diagnostic category, conversion disorders. In the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the DSM-5), conversion disorders are categorized under somatic symptom and related disorders. This meaning that the defining characteristic of the disorder is having physical symptoms as a result of pathology. Throughout the development of different versions of the …show more content…
It is able to address the patient’s evasion of the effects the trauma has taken on them (Allen & Woolfolk, 2014). The initial CBT model focuses on a combination of behavioral and cognitive approaches of psychology. Differing from most common forms of therapy, CBT is more of a “problem-focused” , meaning that it is intended for specific problems associated with psychological disorders (Jaberghaderi et al., 2004). Hypnotherapy is also utilized in treatment, as many patients tend to repress traumatic experiences so much that they become inaccessible by cognitive approaches(Diseth & Christie, 2005). This allows for more rapid access to the repressed memories. In a combination of the two, professionals are able to move the patient to recognize the cause of their trauma and confront it in a productive way.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides a collaborative relationship between the client and the therapist with the ultimate goal of identifying irrational beliefs and disputing those beliefs in an effort to change or adapt behavior (Corey, 2013). The developers of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy saw humans as capable of both rational and irrational thoughts and able to change the processes that contribute to irrational thinking (Corey, 2013). CBT is a more direct approach than some other therapy theories practiced today in that it challenges the client to identify aspects about their self through cognitions. This therapy, as discussed in Corey (2013) also provides an educational component such that therapist teach clients tools to effectively change the way they think to a healthier way. There are a multitude of techniques associated with CBT such as shame attacking exercises, changing ones language...
In it's simplest form, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (or CBT as it will be referred to from here on out), refers to the approach of changing dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts to realistic and healthy ones. CBT encompasses several types of therapy focusing on the impact of an individual's thinking as it relates to expressed behaviors. Such models include rational emotive therapy (RET), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), behavior therapy (BT), Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT), Schema Focused Therapy, Cognitive therapy (CT). Most recently a few other variations have been linked to CBT such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Harrington and Pickles, 2009). The main aspect that all of these branches of therapy share, is that our thoughts relate to our external behaviors. External events and individuals do not cause the negative thoughts or feelings, but, instead the perception of events and situations is the root cause (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2010).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a hands-on form of psychotherapy that is empirically based, which focuses on the interrelationship between emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Through CBT, patients are able to identify their distorted thinking and modify their beliefs in order to change their behaviors. Once a patient changes their distorted thinking, they are able to think in a more positive and realistic manner. Overall, CBT focuses on consistent problem solving strategies and changing negative thought distortions and negative behavior. There are different types of CBT, which share common elements. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a kind of CBT, which falls under the umbrella of CBT.
The therapist will collect demographic information including patient’s history and chief complaint (Bartson, Smith and Corcoran, 2011). The therapist focuses on assessing the client’s emotions and physical sensations following a traumatic event and not the details of the traumatic event (Bartson, 2011). This is what differentiates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) from other therapies (Bartson, 2011). The process of EMDR therapy starts after this initial assessment.
Freud’s approach trauma is based in the treatment of hysteria. According to Ringel and Brandell, Freud and Breuer, considered an “external event” as responsible of determining hysterical symptoms. The common component between hysteria and trauma is the outcome of fright. Freud and Breuer emphasis the importance of cathartic experience as a way of decreasing or vanishing the effect. The “cathartic method” that was developed by Breuer, assisted to release of inhibited emotions. Freud believed that the libido, necessary to be relished for the symptoms to be improved (p. 43).
Scientists in fields connected to neurobiology and psychiatry remain mystified about the cause of Conversion Disorder. The disorder is characterized by physical symptoms of a neurological disorder, yet no direct problem can be found in the nervous system or other related systems of the body. This fact alone is not unusual; many diseases and symptoms have unknown origins. Conversion Disorder, however, seems to stem from "trivial" to traumatic psychological events and emotions rather than biological events. The extreme symptoms often disappear as quickly as they appear without the patient consciously controlling or feigning them. Thus, Conversion Disorder serves as a significant example of how blurred the conceived demarcated divisions of mind/body/behavior can be.
The cognitive processes that serve as the focus of treatment in CBT include perceptions, self-statements, attributions, expectations, beliefs, and images (Kazdin, 1994). Most cognitive-behavioral based techniques are applied in the context of psychotherapy sessions in which the clients are seen individually, or in a group, by professional therapists. Intervention programs are designed to help clients become aware of their maladaptive cognitive processes and teach them how to notice, catch, monitor, and interrupt the cognitive-affective-behavioral chains to produce more adaptive coping responses (Mah...
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is one of the most commonly utilized interventions for children (Cary & McMillen, 2011). TF-CBT is a highly structured intervention consisting of 90-minute weekly sessions. The clinician works with the client through eight competencies, including psychoeducation, relaxation, affective expression and regulation, cognitive coping, trauma narrative development and processing, gradual exposure, joint parent/child sessions, and enhancing future development (Cary & McMillen, 2011). TF-CBT has an extensive history and many variations. Clinicians utilize a number of other cognitive behavior treatments that have been adapted to meet the needs of traumatized children (Cary, & McMillen, 2012; Smith et al., 2007). While there are a number of cognitive behavior treatments, TF-CBT has received the highest classification rating for supported and effective treatment from many studies (Cary, & McMillen, 2012; Kauffman Best Practices Project, 2004).
A somatoform disorder is a psychological disorder that presents itself with primarily physical (bodily) symptoms. In these disorders, it is tough to discern a physical cause, which is why physicians and neurologists cannot help these people. A conversion disorder occurs when anxiety is “converted” or, rather, presented as a single physical symptom. Freud studied this type of psychological disorder as
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs talks about several different treatments, and how they work in this article. Two of the major treatments that the US Department of Veterans Affair speaks about are cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy. With cognitive processing therapy, therapists teach you how to find your triggers, stressors, and feelings for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and control them. Cognitive processing therapy teaches the trauma victim how to destress and cope with the world around them, and how to not place the blame on themselves which can cause bad episodes, and flashbacks. Prolonged exposure therapy is where therapist have you bring up traumatic memories from the past. The therapist can have you
Sigmund Freud’s thoughts about obsessional neurosis was firstly seen in his book named “The Neuro-Psychoses of Defence” that was originally published in 1894, which was dominated with his theories on hysteria (Freud, 2014). Throughout the book, he proposed new ideas, which were the alternatives to the ongoing psychiatric stance, and argued that the cause of the obsessional neurosis was based on the sexual conflicts that are repressed, thus changed. He gave explanations and characteristics of hysteria, in which he defines as a splitting of consciousness, and then compares it with obsessional neurosis. Freud argues that hysteria and obsessional neurosis has a traumatic etiology, meaning a sexual event that occurs before puberty. However, contrary
Cognitive-behavioural therapy, or as it is commonly referred throughout literature CBT is an integration of Ellis’ (1996) Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Becks’ Cognitive Therapy (1976). CBT regards a variety of interventions that share the same basic assumption that mental disorders and psychological distress are sustained by cognitive factors. The central idea of this psychotherapy approach is that maladaptive cognitions contribute to the maintenance of emotional distress and consequently behavioural problems (Beck, 1970; Eliis, 1962). We, as humans, gather information in our brain in certain patterns or schemas that contain general knowledge about that world and the person themselves and these schemas are used to interpret, select and reduce
A conversion disorder is a diagnosis that claims stress and anxiety can induce physical neurological problems, such as seizures, paralysis, and loss of consciousness, that cannot be explained. There are many unanswered questions about this rare condition that needs attention. Some issues that need to be discussed include the diagnostic
Sigmund Freud was born on May 6, 1856, in Freiberg, Moravia, a small town in Austro-Hungarian. His parents were Amalia and Jacob Freud. His father was an industrious wool merchant with a happy and witty personality. His mother was a cheerful and vivacious woman. He was one of nine siblings. He was the first-born child of Amali and Jacob; however, two male siblings where from his father’s first marriage. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Vienna where he lived most of his life. At the age of twenty-six, he fell madly in love with Martha Bernays when she was visiting one of his sisters. Shortly thereafter, they married and had six children of their own three boys and three girls. His children describe him as a loving and compassionate man.
The aim of this essay is to clarify the basic principles of Freud’s theories and to raise the main issues.