Psychological Disorders
In REBT, treatment is based on assessment of goals, activating events, beliefs, and
consequences rather than on diagnostic categories. However, in a recent text,
Dryden (Dryden, 2009c) outlines the REBT perspective on some of the most common
emotional problems individuals face today. For those individuals who are
severely disturbed (psychotic, borderline, or obsessive-compulsive), Ellis (1991b,
2001b, 2002) believed that the cause is most likely to include a biochemical disorder
as well as environmental stress. He found that medication, along with REBT and
much patience, helps improve the emotional disturbances of individuals with these
diagnoses. In this section I provide examples of the treatment of anxiety with adults
and of depression with a 14-year-old girl that demonstrate disputing, cognitive,
behavioral, and emotive approaches to treatment. I also discuss the treatment of
obsessive-compulsive disorder and alcohol and substance abuse.