Identifying Moods

In order to learn to manage your moods, it is helpful to be able to identify the moods you are experiencing. Moods can be difficult to identify. Below is a list of moods. Although the list is not comprehensive it may help you describe your feelings in more exact terms than just "happy" or "sad."

Happy: festive, contented, relaxed, calm, complacent, satisfied, serene, comfortable, peaceful, optimistic, joyous, ecstatic, enthusiastic, inspired, glad, pleased, grateful, cheerful, excited, optimistic, lighthearted, carefree, playful, elated, jubilant, thrilled

Sad: depressed, low, dismal, dreary, dull, moody, sulky, defeated, pessimistic, hopeless, melancholy, somber, despairing, miserable

Hurt: offended, upset, disappointed, heartbroken, crushed

Angry: annoyed, irritated, cross, frustrated, grumpy, angry, provoked, offended, indignant, hostile, irate, furious, fuming, enraged

Afraid: fearful, frightened, timid, cautious, concerned, apprehensive, alarmed, nervous, anxious, worried, hesitant, threatened, scared, petrified, terrified

Loving: accepting, understanding, sharing, affectionate, close, warm, tender, passionate

Interested: eager, enthusiastic, intrigued, absorbed, excited, inquisitive, intent, earnest, fascinated, engrossed

Confident: calm, secure, independent, brave, loyal, courageous, strong, respected, empowered

Doubtful: uncertain, hesitant, indecisive, wavering, insecure, skeptical, dubious, suspicious, distrustful

Shame: uncomfortable, embarrassed, humiliated, dependent, weak

Miscellaneous: puzzled, confused, torn, jealous, envious, distant, evasive, stubborn, impulsive, cruel, preoccupied, bored, powerless, helpless, humble, shocked, uninformed, disregarded

Physical Indicators of Strong Emotion: tense, breathless, nauseated, fatigue, shaky, cold or hot, fast heartbeat, headaches, lack of appetite

CBT and Medicine

CBT is not a substitute for medicine rather CBT helps you work with your medicine by learning cognitive and behavior strategies to reduce emotional distress. CBT is fully compatible with psychiatric interventions and psychopharmacological treatments. The techniques of CBT can also be used in concert with Marriage and Family Therapy and psychodynamic approaches.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is viewed as a psychological treatment of
thoughts. The word "cognitive" or "cognition" means "to know" or "to think". “Behavioral”, of course, refers to behavior. Cognitive Therapy is a method of treating emotional problems pioneered by Aaron Beck M.D. beginning in the 1950’s. Dr. Beck has authored a number of books, most notably, Cognitive Treatment of Depression (1979), but much of his early work was not recognized until research in Behavior Therapy revealed that the combination of cognitive and behavioral interventions was especially successful in the treatment of both affective and anxiety disorders. As people began to see value in short-term treatment approaches, the measurable results of Cognitive Therapy convinced many of the major treatment centers and hospitals nationally to include Cognitive Therapy. The popular book Feeling Good (1980) by David Burns, a colleague of Beck's, placed Cognitive Therapy at the forefront of psychotherapeutic techniques.

In 1985, Beck and Emery published Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective. In 1991, Aaron Beck , Christine Padesky, et al., wrote Cognitive Treatment of Personality Disorders. Beck and Padesky conducted intensive training on the treatment of personality disorders in Newport Beach, CA in February 1991, in which Sloane participated. In 1993, Beck, Liese, et al., wrote Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse. Additional books and journal articles have been written on the use of Cognitive Therapy in the treatment of a variety of disorders including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as hyperactivity and conduct disorders in children.
The two best-known approaches are Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) developed by Aaron Beck, and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) developed by Albert Ellis. CBT and REBT are similar in many aspects and techniques from both therapies will be designed specifically to meet your needs. CBT combines behavioral reinforcement with cognitive restructuring to decrease irrational thinking and improve problem solving. In addition to mood and anxiety disorders, CBT treats adjustment issues, such as lifestyle changes, grieving, divorce, etc.