Chapter 1 - The context of mental health disorders in comparison to other diseases: Interlinking cognitive behavioral therapy

Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Disorder Case Studies and Application for Adults, 2023, Pages 1-8
Authors: 
Rajkumar Rajendram, Vinood B. Patel, Victor R. Preedy

Despite being recognized for millennia, disorders of mental health still cause fear and stigma in the 21st century. The Global Burden of Disease study also highlights the significant morbidity and mortality associated with mental disorders. On a global basis, disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and neonatal disorders are higher than mental disorders. On the other hand, DALYs for mental disorders are higher than diabetes and kidney diseases, unintentional injuries, and respiratory diseases. Although those not specializing in this field view mental disorders with a degree of pessimism, there have been major advances in the use of psychotherapies to treat these conditions. The present chapter briefly reviews the burden of disease caused by mental disorders and then focuses on the research conducted on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). As a result, although it is clear that therapeutic nihilism is unwarranted, significant factors relevant to disorders of mental health and psychotherapies such as CBT remain unknown.