C

cognitive therapy A therapy approach that helps
a person recognize negative or unhelpful thought
patterns and replace them with positive and help-
ful ones. Though there are different forms of cog-
nitive therapy, the underlying foundation of
cognitive therapy establishes thought as the basis
for emotion and behavior. Conscious awareness of
one’s thoughts thus provides the ability to change
one’s emotions (feelings) and behaviors (actions).
Cognitive therapy is often effective treatment
for DEPRESSION, GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD),
BIPOLAR DISORDER, and similar psychologic condi-
tions. Cognitive therapy tends to produce results
more rapidly (less than 20 visits with the thera-
pist) than many other methods of therapy. This
brevity is especially appealing to people who do
not have the resources or time to undergo con-
ventional PSYCHOTHERAPY, which often takes years
before progress is apparent.
See also BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION THERAPY;
MIND–BODY INTERACTIONS.

conduct disorder A behavioral disorder in
which a child engages in behaviors that disregard
social norms and the rights of others. A child who
has conduct disorder may frequently become
involved in fights, be truant from school, be in
trouble at school, bully others, shoplift, or run
away from home. The diagnostic path includes a
comprehensive medical examination to rule out
physical causes for symptoms and may include
evaluation for substance abuse. Treatment is often
a combination of BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION THERAPY
andCOGNITIVE THERAPY for the child individually
and sometimes also for the family. Appropriate
intervention and treatment can turn the cycle of
destructive behavior before it results in long-term
consequences.

See also ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

(ADHD); OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER.

conversion disorder The expression of emo-

tional issues through physical symptoms that typi-

cally come on suddenly, often after a traumatic

experience, and commonly involve some sort of

debilitating loss of function such as inability to see

or apparent PARALYSISof an extremity. Older termi-

nology for such losses includes hysterical blind-

ness and hysterical paralysis.

The concern the person feels and expresses

about the loss is disproportionately minor, and the

doctor is unable to detect any physiologic or phys-

ical causes for the symptoms. Most often the

episode of symptoms resolves on its own within a

few weeks, as the precipitating emotional or psy-

chologic concern improves or goes away. PSY-

CHOTHERAPY, COGNITIVE THERAPY, or BEHAVIOR

MODIFICATION THERAPYis often effective treatment. It

is also important to provide appropriate care for

the involved function, such as passive exercise for

apparently paralyzed limbs to prevent the muscles

from atrophying.

See also ACUTE STRESS DISORDER; BODY DYSMORPHIC

DISORDER; BRIEF REACTIVE PSYCHOSIS; COPING MECHA-

NISMS; EATING DISORDERS; FACTITIOUS DISORDERS;

HYPOCHONDRIASIS; MIND–BODY INTERACTIONS; SOMATI-

ZATION DISORDER; STRESS AND STRESS MANAGEMENT.

coping mechanisms The emotional and behav-

ioral strategies people use to accommodate and

recover from stressful circumstances in their lives

over which they have little control. Numerous

extrinsic and intrinsic factors shape and influence

the coping mechanisms available to an individual.

Among these factors are

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