An analysis of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Reducing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among Female Patients Affected by this Disorder

Abstract

Introduction: this paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among female patients affected by this disorder. Using experimental pretest-posttest control group, 40 female patients referred to Karaj city Charity Committee affecting to generalized anxiety disorder under the criteria of the The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), were randomly selected, and put into two experimental and control groups. The participants answered to the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and Cattell Anxiety questionnaire. The experimental group received 12 sessions of individual therapy. At the end of treatment and one month after treatment, the participants in both groups answered to both questionnaires. The results of research showed that CBT significantly reduced anxiety in participants who are affected to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) at the stage of post-test. The results of research show that CBT affects reducing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).