Which is Best – Exposure Therapy Or CBT For Anxiety?

A large number of anxiety sufferers are now turning to CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) for anxiety therapy. This is a widely used form of treatment and has been found to be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post acute stress disorder. The good news is that it is also very commonly used in the treatment of depression too.

One of the reasons why CBT is so widely used for anxiety therapy is that it is relatively quick to deliver results. Unlike some other forms of psychological treatment this particular form of treatment is usually completed within a few weeks or months. The whole process can be completed in just one group therapy session. Unlike some other types of mental health treatments where you may have to undergo many sessions before seeing the desired results of this form of anxiety therapy can deliver amazing results within a short period of time. This makes CBT very attractive to those who want quick results.

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps to identify the irrational fears and phobias which are keeping you anxious and depressed. By changing your way of thinking you will learn how to deal with your fears and anxieties better. In this way anxiety therapy can teach you how to deal with your anxiety disorders by changing the way you think about and react to your fears and anxieties. By doing this, your fears will subside and you will become more relaxed.

One common reason why people who suffer from anxiety disorders often have trouble in public speaking is that they have a fear of stammering. You may be suffering from a public speaking phobia or perhaps you have a fear of looking nervous when being in front of an audience. CBT can help you overcome your fears of public speaking and give you the confidence you need to be confident when making presentations to groups of people. In fact CBT for anxiety therapy will often lead patients who suffer from panic attacks or general anxiety symptoms to make successful presentations to an audience of people.

Exposure therapy involves two different types of CBT treatments. The first is exposure therapy, where you will be put into situations where you will feel anxious and have to confront your fears. In this way you will learn to face your fears and remain relaxed during such situations. The other type of CBT is called cognitive restructuring, where you will learn to cope with your anxiety symptoms by changing your thought process to a more positive one.

Both these types of CBT can be used separately or together. Some people prefer to use CBT in conjunction with an effective relaxation technique like yoga or meditation. These methods can help to calm the body and mind, lower stress levels and prepare you to face your symptoms more easily. Yoga is particularly useful for people who find it difficult to remain relaxed in situations where they may be apprehensive about speaking in public or talking to a group of people. While CBT for anxiety can often be practiced by individuals in their own home, you may wish to consult with your doctor before taking this route.

You can also combine both exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to treat anxiety. This approach is called cross-categorization. Basically you do not want to treat anxiety with one approach alone and you should consider using other therapies as well. For instance, you may wish to work on your fears by introducing new foods or ideas that make you feel more relaxed. Or you may want to learn some distraction techniques that will help you reduce your anxiety during your day.

When it comes to the choice between CBT for anxiety or exposure therapy, most people choose exposure therapy. However, some people also find success with CBT as a stand-alone form of treatment. The decision is up to you.