Today on the Health Matters Show, we’re going past Wednesday’s article on Arthritis Today: Five Steps to Pain Relief and on to exploring Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), as espoused by the Arthritis Today website. (*Be sure to catch the tips on controlling chronic pain and the explanation of how this subject is linked to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and check out the link to Arthritis Today on the previous post.) But first, let’s explore cognitive behavior therapy in the brain fogged world of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Specifically is the reference article’s Step 5: Calm the body to calm the mind. The authors suggest that you consider Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). I’m not sure how prevalent this type of psycho-therapy is to be effective for Arthritis, but the suggestion has certainly been around for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and especially, ME/CFS.
ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and is a condition that is somewhat similar to CFS in the United Kingdom (UK). For some people, it can be totally debilitating and devastating, much worse than the average case of CFS. However, in particular instances CFS can be horrible, too. You simply don’t hear as much about anyone affected that badly in the US, but they are there.
In general, ME/CFS is the term and abbreviation used for the ailment worldwide because ME and CFS are somewhat similar in nature.]
(Audio is 8 minutes and 12 seconds)
Arthritis Today’s explanation goes like this…
If you’ve ever received unexpected bad news, your body probably reacted with a strange sensation in your gut. Although the pang isn’t pleasant, it provides more proof that what your body feels is connected to what your mind thinks. Psychotherapists using CBT help people understand that connection and learn to control their thoughts so they can control feelings and physical reactions.
The very mention of the term “CBT” evokes regurgitative-quality revulsion in some circles of the world, especially in the ME/CFS community. No person can be so in control of their thoughts and emotions 100% of the time and therefore have the ability to control what is going on in their body, especially when they have such a complicated condition as this. From a practical basis, the UK medical establishment’s applied definition of CBT and how they implement it is hogwash because they belittle the person in a zealous attempt to control the illness process. IT DOESN’T WORK!
Even so, with all of that bad opinion and caveat already said, I encourage you to consider the premise from another point of view today and with a different goal in mind. Why should you do this? 1) Because this is truly important. 2) Because your mind, body, spirit connection is so very powerful as a human being and 3) Because you want to heal and get your life back. Know that there are valuable points here about cognitive behavior therapy to take home.
Actually, you would be wise to find a way to make peace with who you are as a triune being: part mind, part body and a big part spirit. Whether you go through this learning process using a CBT-type psychotherapy (with a more complete mind/body/spirit emphasis) or a true healing experience like Sacred Cellular Healing, the choice is yours. As you approach the active, purposeful role of healing, seek to address all aspects of you in mind, in body and in spirit. Don’t be afraid to learn more about yourself. The key, take-away information here is how important it is not to turn off every mechanism that is out there which suggests that you get in touch with how you feel. How you deal with your illness with your “feelings” is not the boogie man here!
It’s actually the long term answer for healing because “real healing” begins from a comprehensive health approach that is positive, correct and promotes true health.
The problem with the UK philosophy is that it is often said to be exclusive and harmful -and- that it views sick ME/CFS people as mental “head” cases. The patients are not accepted as having worthy medical conditions by the medical establishment and so are deemed “un-worthy” of receiving legitimate, comprehensive care. That attitude improves no side of the equation, as evidenced by the scores of very sick people in the UK, who are leading lives of misery, many even contemplating or committing suicide or facing certain death.
If and when the UK chooses to expand its CBT treatment regimen to include a true and complete mind, body and spirit approach -and- real medical healthcare until renewed health is achieved, people will benefit greatly. Possibly millions of people’s lives around the world would be improved from a more compassionate, comprehensive and expanded focus, as well as a truly medically-based approach. Every side of this equation is necessary if people are to get well en masse. As of now, very few people are being helped in the UK at all!
Each person, sick or well, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I wonder… when is “man” ever going to learn that subverting someone else’s wishes beneath his own does not work? Love and compassion can be the worldwide phenomenon that we are all seeking as brothers and sisters interested in the health and welfare of each other.
Let’s find a way to do this and make this concept our “new” health reality. This type of attitude about health benefits us all. By adopting this approach, we change hearts, minds and ultimately how the “world” thinks and acts. Ultimately, that leads us all toward a universal evolution of wellness and true health.
Thank you for visiting the Health Matters Show, for listening to my negative view on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as it’s being practiced now in the UK and for my more positive slant on what “could be” if we choose to embrace the good side of healing our minds, our bodies and our spirits.
Cinda Crawford, your host
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