Applying Stand-Alone Body Image (BI) Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to Treat Perception of Negative Body Image and Low Self-Esteem (Research Paper Sample)

Applying Stand-Alone Body Image (BI) Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to Treat Perception of Negative Body Image and Low Self-Esteem
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Abstract
Psychological treatment therapies are the most common and effective therapies for behavior problems like anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, phobia, and negative perceptions of body image. While pharmacotherapy treatments offer quick relieve of symptoms, their effects are short-lived, and therefore not ideal for lasting treatments. This is because drug-based therapies treat the symptoms as opposed to changing the patient’s behaviors. This research paper provides a review of the literature on the application of psychological and pharmacotherapy interventions to treat behavior problems. It applies the insights gained from the review to propose a treatment therapy for *Sofia, a college female student with a negative perception of body image due to her overweight condition. The paper recommends the stand-alone body image (BI) cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as the best treatment for her condition, as it helps her to develop a positive perception of her body, and in doing so, improve her sense of self-esteem. This will in turn help her to become confidence in social settings and lead a positive social life.
Description of Problem Behavior
Sofia,* is a 20 year-old, Mexican American female in her second year in college. She is short, overweight and painfully conscious of her physical condition. While the people around her like course mates treat her nicely, she is not comfortable being with people or socializing outside of class-related work. During group discussions she tends to keep quiet, only responding, as briefly as possible, only to questions directly addressed to her. Even then, one could see that she would want to be invisible so that people don’t see or talk to her. When talking to someone, she avoids eye contact, tries to get off a conversation as quickly as possible, and does her best to avoid arguments that would draw attention to her. During off-class hours, such as lunch breaks, she is the last on the line, and prefers buying her food when there are few or no people, sits at a lonely corner and eats by herself. The only person she is comfortable spending time with, and the rare moments you may see a smile on her face, is when she is with a fellow Latino girl in her first year.