Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be successfully used to treat generalized anxiety disorder(GAD), with or without the inclusion of anxiolytics. The treatment of GAD using cognitive-behavioral techniques involves cognitive restructuring, relaxation, worry exposure, behavior modification, and problem solving. This article will review the principles used in CBT for the treatment of GAD and will discuss recent modifications of CBTs and how they may be employed. The simultaneous use of CBT and antidepressants will also be reviewed.