Psychiatr. praxi 2015; 16(2e)

Cognitive behavioral approaches to coping with suffering and hardship

Mgr. et Mgr. Jana Vyskočilová^{1, 2}, prof. MUDr. Ján Praško, CSc.³, MUDr. Petr Možný⁴, MUDr. Michaela Novotná⁵, PhDr. Marie Ocisková^3,6, Mgr. Zuzana Sedláčková⁶

¹ Fakulta humanitních studií, Univerzita Karlova v Praze

² Ústav teorie a praxe ošetřovatelství, 1. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova v Praze

³ Klinika psychiatrie, Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc

⁴ Psychiatrická nemocnice v Kroměříži

⁵ Therapia Viva s. r. o., Praha

⁶ Katedra psychologie, Filozofická fakulta, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

Low level of ability to endure discomfort, hardship and distress, which are integral parts of adverse life events, may lead to loss ofmental stability and maintenance of the psychological disorder. The patient often tries to cope with their suffering through avoidanceand compensatory behavior that may relieve his pain immediately; however, in the long term it leads to thedeterioration in the qualityof his life and the persistence of suffering. Cognitive- behavioral approaches focused on increasing the ability to endure unpleasant and distressful life experiences, allow the patient to better bear the inevitable losses in life, which he is exposed to, endure his anxiety,sadness, and the urge to impulsive action or escape; so the patient have more possibilities to act more freely, functionally andpurposefully. Modern cognitive behavioral approaches, such as Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy,Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy developed and applied therapeutic methods designed toincrease the patient's resistance to suffering and his ability to cope it better. These approaches are used not only in patients withchronic psychiatric disorders, but also in patients with chronic physical illnesses and permanent disability.

Keywords: suffering, values, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, mindfulness based cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion focused therapy

Published: August 1, 2015  Show citation