Psychological therapy based on CBT principles is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms for short-term treatment of GAD .
The body of evidence comparing CBT with other psychological therapies is small and heterogeneous , which precludes drawing conclusions about which psychological therapy is more effective .
BACKGROUND Generalised anxiety disorder ( GAD ) is a highly prevalent condition , characterised by excessive worry or anxiety about everyday events and problems .
The effectiveness and effectiveness of psychological therapies as a group has not yet been evaluated in the treatment of GAD .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy and acceptability of psychological therapies , categorised as cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) , psychodynamic therapy and supportive therapy , compared with treatment as usual/waiting list ( TAU/WL ) and compared with one another , for patients with GAD .
Treatment of anxiety disorders in primary care practice: a randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are prevalent in primary care . Psychological treatment is effective but time-consuming , and there are waiting lists for secondary care . Interest has therefore grown in developing guidelines for treatment that would be feasible in primary care . AIM To compare the effectiveness and feasibility of guided self-help , the Anxiety Disorder Guidelines of the Netherl and s College of General Practitioners and cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) . DESIGN OF STUDY R and omised controlled study lasting 12 weeks with follow-up at 3 and 9 months for primary care patients with panic disorder and /or generalised anxiety disorder . SETTING The first two forms of treatment were carried out by 46 GPs who were r and omly assigned to one or the other form .  CBT was carried out by cognitive behaviour therapists in a psychiatric outpatient clinic . METHOD Participants ( n = 154 ) were r and omly assigned to one of the three forms of treatment . The main outcome measure used was the state subscale of the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory . RESULTS All three forms of treatment gave significant improvement between pre-test and post-test , and this improvement remained stable between post-test and the follow-ups . The results obtained with the three treatment forms did not differ significantly over time . The feasibility of the Anxiety Disorder Guidelines was low compared with that of guided self-help . CONCLUSION Our results indicate that primary care patients with prevalent anxiety disorders for whom the GP does not find referral necessary can be adequately treated by the GP . Psychiatric outpatient clinic referral does not give superior results . Guided self-help is easier for the GP to carry out than a less highly-structured treatment like that laid down in the Anxiety Disorder Guidelines
Psychological therapy based on CBT principles is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms for short-term treatment of GAD .
The body of evidence comparing CBT with other psychological therapies is small and heterogeneous , which precludes drawing conclusions about which psychological therapy is more effective .
BACKGROUND Generalised anxiety disorder ( GAD ) is a highly prevalent condition , characterised by excessive worry or anxiety about everyday events and problems .
The effectiveness and effectiveness of psychological therapies as a group has not yet been evaluated in the treatment of GAD .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy and acceptability of psychological therapies , categorised as cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) , psychodynamic therapy and supportive therapy , compared with treatment as usual/waiting list ( TAU/WL ) and compared with one another , for patients with GAD .