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

Summary & key facts

This review looks at many studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety problems. It focuses on two common CBT methods: exposure and cognitive therapy. The authors conclude that, overall, CBT works for anxiety disorders, but more research is needed to know which parts of CBT help which patients.

Key facts:

• The review summarizes research on CBT for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia.
• Two widely used CBT methods discussed are exposure therapy and cognitive therapy.
• The authors report that CBT appears to be both efficacious (it works in controlled research studies) and effective (it works in real-world clinical settings) for anxiety disorders.
• The paper notes a lack of dismantling studies—research that breaks treatments into parts—to show which specific CBT components produce the beneficial effects.
• The authors say it is difficult to compare different active CBT treatments, and they suggest future research should identify which patients benefit most from which treatment components.

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

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Panic disorder and phobias PTSD Anxiety or worry Panic