Which behavior therapy technique is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders?
There are many therapy options for treating anxiety. The most commonly used approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), but depending on the specific type of anxiety, a therapist might also use exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), or interpersonal therapy (IPT). Show
You don’t have to face anxiety alone. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, Brightside, and Mindfulness.com Behavioral therapy is a term that describes a broad range of techniques used to change maladaptive behaviors. The goal is to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted ones. Behavioral therapy is rooted in the principles of behaviorism, a school of thought focused on the idea that we learn from our environment. This approach emerged during the early part of the 20th-century and became a dominant force in the field for many years. Edward Thorndike was one of the first to refer to the idea of modifying behavior. Unlike the types of therapy that are rooted in insight (such as psychoanalytic therapy and humanistic therapies), behavioral therapy is action-based. Because of this, behavioral therapy tends to be highly focused. The behavior itself is the problem and the goal is to teach people new behaviors to minimize or eliminate the issue. Behavioral therapy suggests that since old learning led to the development of a problem, then new learning can fix it. Types of Behavioral TherapyThere are a number of different types of behavioral therapy. The type of therapy used can depend on a variety of factors, including the condition being treated and the severity of the person's symptoms.
TechniquesIn order to understand how behavioral therapy works, it is important to know more about the basic principles that contribute to behavioral therapy. The techniques used in this type of treatment are based on the theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical ConditioningClassical conditioning involves forming associations between stimuli. Previously neutral stimuli are paired with a stimulus that naturally and automatically evokes a response. After repeated pairings, an association is formed and the previously neutral stimulus will come to evoke the response on its own. Classical conditioning is one way to alter behavior. Several different techniques and strategies are used in this approach to therapy.
Operant ConditioningOperant conditioning focuses on how reinforcement and punishment can be utilized to either increase or decrease the frequency of a behavior. Behaviors followed by desirable consequences are more likely to occur again in the future, while those followed by negative consequences become less likely to occur. Behavioral therapy techniques use reinforcement, punishment, shaping, modeling, and related techniques to alter behavior. These methods have the benefit of being highly focused, which means they can produce fast and effective results.
What Behavioral Therapy Can Help WithBehavioral therapy can be utilized to treat a wide range of psychological conditions and disorders, including:
Behavioral therapy is problem-focused and action-oriented. For this reason, it can also be useful for addressing specific psychological concerns such as anger management and stress management. Treatments that incorporate behavioral techniques are usually focused on producing results in a relatively short period of time. Benefits of Behavioral TherapyBehavioral therapy is widely used and has been shown to be effective in treating a number of different conditions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is often considered the "gold standard" in the treatment of many disorders, and cognitive behavioral play therapy, specifically, can be effective for children where other types of therapy aren’t. CBT is often more affordable than other types of therapy and results are often seen in five to 20 sessions. Research has shown that CBT is most effective for the treatment of:
In addition, behavioral therapy has been found to help people with the following:
EffectivenessHow well behavioral therapy works depends on factors such as the specific type of treatment used as well as the condition that is being treated. Overall, research has found that approximately 67% of people who try psychotherapy experience some type of positive improvement. This does not mean that CBT or other behavioral approaches are the only types of therapy that can treat mental illness. It also doesn't mean that behavior therapy is the right choice for every situation. Anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias, for example, often respond well to behavioral treatments. However, researchers found that the effectiveness of behavioral therapy, specifically CBT, in the treatment of substance use disorders can vary depending on the substance being misused. CBT was also shown to have beneficial effects on some symptoms of schizophrenia but showed no benefits on relapse and hospital admission when compared to other forms of treatment. Things to ConsiderBehavioral therapy has a number of advantages. However, behavioral approaches are not always the best solution. It's Not Enough for Complex Mental Health ConditionsWhen treating certain psychiatric disorders such as severe depression and schizophrenia, behavioral therapy often must be used in conjunction with other medical and therapeutic treatments. Behavioral therapy can help clients manage or cope with certain aspects of these psychiatric conditions, but should not be used alone. It May Not Account for Underlying ProblemsBehavioral treatments tend to focus on current problems with functioning and may not fully appreciate or address the underlying factors that are contributing to a mental health problem. It May Not Address the Whole PictureBehavioral approaches are centered on the individual working to change their behaviors. Some of these approaches, however, often don't address how situations and interpersonal relationships might be contributing to a person's problems. How to Get StartedIf you are interested in behavioral therapy, there are some things that you can do to get the most out of your treatment.
Get Help NowWe've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you. What technique can you use to help you deal with anxiety?Here are 11 tips for coping with an anxiety disorder:. Keep physically active. ... . Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. ... . Quit smoking, and cut back or quit drinking caffeinated beverages. ... . Use stress management and relaxation techniques. ... . Make sleep a priority. ... . Eat healthy foods. ... . Learn about your disorder.. How does behavioral therapy help anxiety?How Does CBT Treat Anxiety? CBT addresses anxiety by helping people make changes to the way they think and behave during times when they are anxious. CBT aims to help people interrupt and change the worried thoughts that feed into anxiety, while also helping to reduce avoidant behaviors.
Is CBT best for anxiety?Conclusions. CBT is an effective, gold-standard treatment for anxiety and stress-related disorders. CBT uses specific techniques to target unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors shown to generate and maintain anxiety.
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