Cognitive behavioral therapy programs are easily quantifiable and testable, and have been the subject of numerous empirical researches which have proven the effectivity of the programs in resolving various psychological disorders which includes trauma related disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, and anxiety. There are over 40 studies in the instance of youth anxiety showing the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Anxiety disorders are a grouping of mental disorders associated with excessive worry or fear. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of MEntal Disorder lists 11 types: selective mutism; specific phobia; substance induced anxiety; generalized anxiety; unspecified anxiety disorder; social anxiety; agoraphobia; panic disorder; specified anxiety disorder; separation anxiety; and anxiety due to another medical condition.
Common characteristics of all anxiety disorders include negative thought process and poor means of social adaptations, restlessness, severe worry or fear, inability to control worry or fear, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and irritability; these symptoms result in problems in occupational and social functioning.
Cognitive behavioral therapy programs involve a well defined knowledge of patient condition which includes full medical and psychological history, comorbidities, psychological evaluation, and behavioral observations. CBT principle is that negative thoughts and behaviors affect emotions, and are products of irrational thinking and/or beliefs. Cognitive behavioral therapy programs focus on helping patients define and understand the condition of anxiety, followed by therapeutic sessions designed to focus on helping patients to dispute irrational thoughts and/or beliefs using various techniques such as mediation, mindfulness based therapy, and cognitive restructuring. Patients are taught appropriate means in which they can better handle their condition, reducing negativity, reducing resolution of irrational thoughts and/or beliefs using these techniques, many studies have shown these techniques to directly affect patient emotions and behavior. New thought process are strengthened through adaptive measures which are inculcated in patients during cognitive behavioral therapy programs.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven by many researchers to be an effective tool in the treatment of anxiety. Effectiveness of the psychotherapy using various inclusion criteria support prior empirical evidences of its efficacy in the treatment of anxiety. Specific anxiety disorders, and generalized anxiety have been found to be highly treatable using cognitive behavioral therapy programs, with there being ample evidence using multiple randomized control trials to support successfulness. Good therapeutic relationship, cognitive restructuring, comprehensive assessment, and skills training are helpful in achievement of greater success during CBT.
