(Recorded 5/14/2020) This episode is focused on Lisa Nasseff’s experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help her achieve recovery and maintain mental wellness.  Lisa also talks about exposure therapy.  Lisa is a trained volunteer presenter in the NAMI “In Our Own Voice” program through which she shares her personal recovery story of living with a mental illness.  She discusses her diagnoses of anorexia, chronic major depression, panic and anxiety disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD.

NAMI Minnesota fact sheets related to this episode:

NAMI Minnesota fact sheet on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): https://2a392k31wksy2wkejf1y03dp-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/188/2018/05/CognitiveBehavioralTherapy_TreatmentOptions_2018.pdf
NAMI Minnesota fact sheet on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): https://2a392k31wksy2wkejf1y03dp-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/188/2018/05/OCD_Illnesses_Adult_2018.pdf

Psychotherapy for OCD. There are two types of psychotherapies that are helpful for treating OCD:

Exposure and Response Therapy (ERT). ERT exposes a person to the cause of their anxiety. For example, a person with a fear of germs may be asked by a doctor or therapist to put their hand on something considered dirty, such as a doorknob. Afterwards, they will refrain from washing their hands. The length of time between touching the doorknob and washing hands becomes longer and longer.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on the thoughts that are causing distress, and changing the negative thinking and behavior associated with them. For obsessive-compulsive disorder, the goal of this therapy is to recognize negative thoughts and, with practice, gradually lessen their intensity to the point of harmlessness.

For all NAMI Minnesota fact sheets, visit https://namimn.org/education-public-awareness/fact-sheets/.

“Mental Health In Minnesota” is produced by NAMI Minnesota.  Visit us online at https://namimn.org/.