CBT Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Research has shown CBT to be very effective in the treatment of a broad spectrum of anxiety disorder symptoms. In this section I will address the following questions:

What are the different types of anxiety disorder diagnoses?

What are some common features of anxiety disorders?

How is CBT used to treat anxiety disorders?

How long does CBT treatment usually last?

Are there any additional resources that you recommend?

 

How is CBT used to treat anxiety disorders?

Research has shown CBT to be a highly effective treatment for anxiety problems.  Here is a brief explanation of some techniques that might be used in CBT for anxiety.  These techniques are tailored to address a person's specific needs.

Treatment strategies may include:

• Exposure and Response Prevention

  Exposure and response prevention targets the avoidance behaviors that maintain anxiety. The exposure process involves confronting, in a gradual fashion, the things that one fears.  During exposure exercises, one is asked to refrain from engaging in any safety behaviors, rituals, or other responses designed to decrease anxiety in the short-term.  There are several types of exposure exercises:

  • In vivo exposure consists of having a person physically encounter specific real-world situations that are typically avoided because of anxiety

• For example, someone who fears large crowds may conduct an in vivo exposure by entering a crowded subway car

• Imaginal exposure is used when anxiety triggers cannot be easily (or safely) encountered in the real world

• For example, someone who is afraid of contracting a deadly disease might be asked to imagine coming into contact with that disease

• Interoceptive exposure involves deliberately inducing the physical aspects of anxiety

• For example, someone who experiences hyperventilation due to anxiety may be asked to breathe through a straw to induce shortness of breath.  Such an exposure helps a person see that the symptoms of anxiety, while unpleasant, are ultimately harmless.

• Cognitive Work

  Cognitive work in CBT involves teaching people to challenge the distorted thinking that is maintaining their anxiety.

  For example, A man who experienced panic attacks learned to challenge the catastrophic thoughts (i.e. “I’m going to die”) that arose whenever he started experiencing any panic symptoms.  He began to recognize that panic attacks are not lethal, and thus, he became less fearful of future attacks.

• Acceptance and Mindfulness Work

  Part of CBT treatment for anxiety involves helping people learn to accept uncertainty, and accept that they cannot control everything.  Acceptance work is often accompanied by mindfulness training.  Mindfulness training consists of exercises that help people learn to fully accept their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment, without judging them. Once people are comfortable with their thoughts and feelings in the present, they can make sound decisions about what actions to take in the future.

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