Cognitive Remediation Therapy

Cognitive Remediation

One of the organs that is adversely impacted in cases of substance abuse or severe mental illnesses is the brain. The brain is like the control center of our body, responsible for our thoughts, actions, behaviors, speech, and emotions. At the same time, it is also at the center of mental illness and addiction.

Often when a mental illness is left unaddressed or someone indulges in substance abuse, the brain stops functioning as efficiently as it used to and a person’s cognitive skills can become impaired. When that happens, the person’s social skills may also decline. They may forget deadlines at work or have trouble managing their time. They may feel disorganized and have a hard time performing daily tasks or thinking clearly.

Cognitive impairment impacts a person’s normal functioning and ability to perform daily tasks or maintain healthy relationships. In such a scenario, taking help to address mental illness or overcome substance abuse can feel like a monumental task. Cognitive remediation therapy can stem the deterioration of cognitive skills and get the brain back to the way it is supposed to be.

At Invictus Health Group’s behavioral health center, the cognitive remediation treatment modality is designed to help individuals take back charge of their lives, and recovery, by correcting their impaired cognitive ability.

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The main focus of the cognitive remediation therapy is to reduce cognitive deficits. It involves a series of exercises designed to curtail cognitive impairment and improve attention, memory, language, etc. Examples of cognitive impairments include slight problems with memory, decision-making, planning, and attention. The most common cause of cognitive impairment is a history of substance abuse or psychiatric disorders.

There are two major techniques under cognitive remediation therapy. One is similar to brain training, wherein through repeated exercises a deficient area of the cognitive function is remedied. Another technique is to work with the preserved cognitive functions. When cognitive abilities improve a person starts performing better at work, and in daily life. That is why, cognitive remediation is an essential part of the mental health and drug recovery process at Invictus Health Group.

Mental Illnesses Associated with Cognitive Impairments

A decline in cognitive abilities is usually associated with certain mental illnesses. Some of the mental disorders that may cause cognitive impairments are:

Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Examples of Cognitive Impairments

People with cognitive impairments face problems in the following functions of daily life:

Memory
Attention
Multitasking
Concentration
Processing speed
Decision making
Keeping things “in mind”
Planning complex tasks

Improving Cognition An Essential Part of Recovery

At Invictus Health Group we understand how essential improving cognition is to the recovery process. Our cognitive rehabilitation programs focus on brain wellness and providing our patients with cognitive rehabilitation exercises. We also lay emphasis on proper diet, sleep and relaxation, physical activity, and maintaining healthy relationships to deliver a comprehensive recovery program to our patients.

Cognitive rehabilitation exercises: We provide scientifically based cognitive rehabilitation exercises to our patients in our unique cognitive lab. In the lab, people can play a variety of “brain games” designed to improve specific cognitive functions like attention, short-term memory, and processing speed. With regular and diligent practice, patients will find their cognition gradually improving.
Proper diet: It is often said that what we eat affects our brain. To ensure a healthy and active brain, we teach our patients how to maintain a healthy and sustainable diet. A diet rich in nutrients and amino acids is important for brain wellness. While consuming junk food can cause a decrease in energy, concentration, and mood, eating a balanced diet ensures higher energy levels, improved concentration and mood, and better cognitive abilities.
Getting a good night’s sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep is important for maintaining sound physical and mental health. When we sleep properly and for the recommended hours a day, our body supports proper brain function, and also heals and repairs heart and blood vessels. Sleep deficiency can alter brain activity and is related to a number of health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. Sleep deprivation can also exacerbate substance abuse. That is why, our trained medical professionals help patients learn how to develop healthy sleep patterns and stay mentally, physically and emotionally healthy.
Exercise: A healthy body is important for a healthy mind. A regular form of exercise such as running, dancing, or jogging have been proven to reduce depression and anxiety. Lack of exercise in our day-to-day lives can cause a number of health problems. Therefore, at Invictus Health Group’s behavioral health center, we have made a daily fitness routine an important part of our recovery program. We believe that this can help improve emotional well-being and provide a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety.
Healthy relationships: A warm and loving home and positive healthy relationships are important for a happy and long life. In times of distress or when struggling with mental illness or substance abuse, having a strong support system can accelerate recovery. On the other hand, negative and abusive relationships can potentially cause mental health problems and even push a person to adopt unhealthy coping strategies that include substance abuse or self-abuse. Consequently, at Invictus Health Group, we help individuals and their families build positive relationships and correct unproductive behavior patterns.

Invictus Health Group Offers Comprehensive Treatment Programs

At Invictus Health Group, the core philosophy of our recovery program is the connection between addiction and mental health. Through cognitive remediation therapy we help improve cognition in the affected individual so they can overcome addiction and learn how to successfully manage a psychiatric disorder and live a normal and productive life.

Apart from cognitive rehab therapy, Invictus Health Group also offers individual and group therapy, meditation classes, yoga, medication management, and numerous other evidence-based treatment modalities. We customize our treatment programs according to each individual’s needs so that they can recover faster and lead a happy life.

To know more about cognitive remediation therapy at Invictus Health Group and how it can help you or a loved one overcome their battle with a mental disorder or a substance use disorder, call at our 24/7 helpline 866-548-0190. You can also chat online with a representative for further assistance.