Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence

Summary & key facts

This article reviews a large body of research on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. It focuses on two common CBT methods — exposure therapy and cognitive therapy — and concludes that CBT generally works for many anxiety problems. The authors also say it is hard to compare active CBT treatments and that more dismantling studies are needed to find which parts of treatment help which patients.

Key facts:

• The article reviews a large amount of research on CBT for anxiety disorders.
• It focuses on two commonly used CBT methods: exposure therapy and cognitive therapy.
• The review reports that CBT appears to be both efficacious (effective in controlled trials) and effective (works in real-world settings) for anxiety disorders.
• The anxiety disorders discussed include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia.
• The authors note difficulties in comparing active CBT treatments across studies.
• They call for dismantling studies to determine which specific treatment components produce benefits and which patients are most likely to benefit.

Abstract

A large amount of research has accumulated on the efficacy and effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. The purpose of the current article is to provide an overview of two of the most commonly used CBT methods used to treat anxiety disorders (exposure and cognitive therapy) and to summarize and discuss the current empirical research regarding the usefulness of these techniques for each anxiety disorder. Additionally, we discuss the difficulties that arise when comparing active CBT treatments, and we suggest directions for future research. Overall, CBT appears to be both efficacious and effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, but dismantling studies are needed to determine which specific treatment components lead to beneficial outcomes and which patients are most likely to benefit from these treatment components.

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Mental Health Research Topics

Categories

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Anxiety Anxiety disorder Clinical psychology Cognition Cognitive behavioral therapy Generalized anxiety disorder Panic disorder Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Social anxiety Specific phobia