THE EFFICACY OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stands as an unequivocally established and highly efficacious first-line treatment for a broad spectrum of anxiety disorders. Extensive meta-analyses and clinical trials consistently demonstrate its superior outcomes compared to passive control conditions and its comparable, often advantageous, performance against other psychosocial and pharmacological interventions. This report synthesizes the robust evidence supporting CBT's effectiveness across various anxiety disorders and populations, detailing its core therapeutic mechanisms, particularly exposure-based approaches.