These include a focus on worry, irritability, feeling out of control of the illness, a need for better communication skills with family, employers, and doctors, and systematic problem solving skills to address the many hassles facing someone with a persistent illness. Being physically ill is stressful for most people. The body responds to each of these irritants or threats with a stress response that involves multiple biological systems within the body. Since some of these responses to stress also influence pain, fatigue, and mental processes such as memory, CBT will often include specially tailored stress management tools for persistent illnesses. Similarly, techniques to help improve sleep are often taught.
Sleep helps to restore both physical functioning as well as mental functioning.
Behavioral strategies that focus on improving sleep hygiene help individuals get needed restorative sleep that can improve mood, clarity of thought, and energy levels. All in all, CBT skills are a group of well-tested strategies that significantly reduce many burdensome physical symptoms, and increase the quality of life for those suffering with chronic illnesses in which pain and or fatigue are primary symptoms. While there are no regulations on who can offer self-management skills like the ones included in CBT, it would seem important to make sure your therapist or leader is well trained in the underlying principles. CBT skills can be learned via self-help, with individual guidance, or in a group setting. If you are a social person, then individual or group learning will probably work best.