Part 2: Why CBT Is So Effective for Treating Anxiety
We’ve already talked about what cognitive behavioral therapy is and what to expect if you decide it’s the right modality for you.
But, with so many people dealing specifically with anxiety, you might be wondering why CBT seems to work so well.
Again, CBT focuses on the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
That translates well for people who have anxiety because it helps you challenge the negative thoughts triggering your fears.
It makes it easier to manage your symptoms and finally break the cycle.
Let’s take a closer look at why CBT is so effective for treating anxiety, including how it can help you find some peace from the worry and fear that’s creating chaos in your mind.
Challenging Negative Thoughts
Anxiety is fueled by the unknown and the “what ifs” of life.
Far too often, it stems from thoughts or ideas that aren’t based on reality.
Rather, your mind causes you to focus only on potential worst-case scenarios that are unlikely to happen.
CBT can help to change this habit.
It will help you identify the things that trigger your anxious thoughts and give you the skills needed to challenge them.
Instead of immediately going to a worst-case scenario, you’ll be able to start focusing on the reality of a situation.
Even if you do think about the worst possible outcome, CBT can help you think about how you would handle that challenge rather than allowing it to overwhelm you.
You’ll also likely go through behavioral experiments that will help you question the validity of your anxious thoughts.
You can use these techniques on your own as you start to develop a skill for them.
It will increase your self-efficacy and make it easier for you to manage anxiety on a long-term basis.
Learning to Relax
It can seem nearly impossible to relax when you’re struggling with anxiety.
With CBT, however, you’ll learn how to incorporate different relaxation techniques into your daily life so you can use them when your anxious thoughts start to feel overwhelming.
Things like deep breathing and mindfulness can help to calm your anxious thoughts while making it easier to combat some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, including a racing heart and trembling.
These practices also allow you to stay grounded in the present rather than focusing on the worries of the past or future.
Learning to Cope
One of the reasons why CBT is so effective is that it teaches actual skills that can be used to manage your mental health for years to come.
Some of the skills you’ll learn will make it easier to cope with anxious thoughts on your own.
You might learn how to problem-solve through things that would previously feel overwhelming.
Maybe you’ll learn how to battle anxiety in social settings, or how to be more assertive.
Your therapist will work with you to develop the skills necessary to combat your personal struggles so you can feel empowered as you take control of your mental health.
Anxiety wants to trap you. It wants to keep you firmly planted in a cycle of worry and avoidance.
But that’s no way to live. You don’t need to be a victim of your anxious thoughts.
While CBT can help with a variety of mental health issues, it’s especially effective in treating anxiety and will not only help you challenge the core thoughts causing problems but also make it easier to strengthen your mental resolve, in general.
If you’re ready to take that step and fight back against your anxiety, I’m here to help you on the journey.