Psychological treatments of anxiety

Psychological treatments of anxiety include:

• psychotherapy:
  • anxiety may be reduced by understanding the subconscious causes
  • the therapist aims to solve problems and resolve underlying conflicts
    
    
• cognitive behaviour therapy:
  • is composed of exposure, relaxation and cognitive therapy
  • cognitive therapy aims to:
    • identify the maladaptive thought processes which precipitate an anxiety attack e.g. keeping a diary of thoughts which precede and accompany the anxiety
    • question the logical basis of the fears
    • encourage adaptive ways of interpreting symptoms e.g. palpitations may be due to the anxiety rather than being the sign of an impending heart attack

There is evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy is likely to be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety (1).

Reference:

1. Clin Evid Concise 2003;10:226-8.