Psychiatrist Questions Psychologist

Is CBT the best therapy for anxiety?

I have anxiety and want to treat it. Is CBT the best therapy for anxiety?

2 Answers

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated to be the most effective psychological intervention available for anxiety disorders. CBT is an empirically based therapy, meaning actual scientific studies have demonstrated its usefulness.
Yes, CBT is the best therapy for anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aims to identify and correct unhealthy and unrealistic thought patterns. The goal is to help individuals modify their behaviors, thoughts and feelings and change them to be more realistic, helpful ones. Receiving professional guidance is helpful and therapeutic when it comes to identifying the roots of your anxiety and working to heal it in treatment. In psychotherapy, patients also learn coping skills that will help them better manage their response to anxiety. Psychotherapy can provide individuals with a new perspective on their situation, which enables them to regain control, reduce physiological and psychological symptoms and adopt effective strategies that will help them deal with stressful situations with more ease and confidence. You can also learn and adopt stress management techniques. If your anxiety is causing a major decline in work or school or you have a hard time coping with everyday life, getting some additional support can be helpful.
Cognitive restructuring or reframing is a common CBT technique that has you look at your negative thought patterns, and once you are aware of them, you can learn how to reframe these thoughts so they are more positive and productive. Journaling and thought records are another CBT technique that helps you get in touch with your own anxiety-inducing thoughts. Goal setting is another technique that helps the patient identify their goals, their start point, the steps that they need to take to achieve their goals and then to get started with the first actionable step.