Cody's CBT Journey
Cody, an 18-year-old freshman, had always been a perfectionist. He pushed himself hard in school, sports, and social life. But when college began, the pressure became overwhelming. Cody started experiencing panic attacks before exams. He also started making excuses for why he couldn't go to parties and other social events, convinced he'd embarrass himself. "I feel like I'm failing at everything," he told the campus therapist.
After an initial assessment, Cody was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. His therapist recommended cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), explaining that it could help him identify and challenge the negative thoughts fueling his anxiety.
In their first few sessions, Cody learned how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. He began tracking his anxious thoughts in a journal. One entry read: "If I don't get an A, I'll disappoint everyone." His therapist helped him reframe this: "One grade doesn't define me. I'm learning and growing."
As therapy progressed, Cody practiced exposure therapy, gradually facing situations he feared, like speaking up in class or attending study groups. He also learned relaxation strategies and problem-solving skills. Slowly, his confidence grew.
Cody realized that his anxiety wasn't just about stress; it was about deeply rooted beliefs he hadn't questioned. CBT gave him tools to challenge those beliefs and build healthier ones. "It's like I'm rewiring my brain," he said. "I still get anxious, but now I know how to handle it."
