Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Program Description
The goal of the current study is to compare two cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapy (ABBT) and Applied Relaxation (AR). Both of these treatments have been shown to be efficacious treatments for GAD. ABBT focuses on increasing mindful awareness of one's thoughts and feelings, encouraging acceptance of emotional experiences, and promoting action in valued areas of life. AR focuses on learning a specific skill set aimed at increasing relaxation and then applying these relaxation skills during stressful situations. Treatment consists of 16 weekly free individual therapy sessions with either a doctoral level or doctoral candidate level clinician. Participants will be asked to practice new strategies and exercises (learned in therapy) as homework outside of the sessions. In addition, throughout treatment, assessment of changes in anxiety symptoms, quality of life, and other outcomes will be completed in order to assess how well the treatment works. This study is funded The National Institute of Mental Health and is directed by Drs. Lizabeth Roemer and Susan Orsillo.
Is this Program Right for You?
This program is designed for individuals whose primary difficulty is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is often characterized by chronic uncontrollable worries. To be eligible for and to benefit most from this program, your anxiety and worry should be causing you distress or impairment in your social, occupational, or other important area of your life. If your anxiety is not causing you significant distress or impairment other treatment options may be more appropriate for you at this time. Additionally, there are also some medical or psychiatric conditions that would make this form of treatment inadvisable at this time. Examples include: use of certain drugs or excessive alcohol, bipolar disorder, some forms of depression, psychotic symptoms, or other medical conditions that require immediate attention.
If you are currently taking medications for a psychological condition, you will need to have been on a stable dose of medication for at least three months before the beginning of treatment. You also need to be willing to refrain from other psychotherapy during your treatment at CARD. Also, as part of this program, you would need to be willing to receive either treatment (ABBT or AR).
Successful completion of this program will take considerable time on your part over the four months of therapy. You will be asked to complete assignments between each therapy sessions and several assessments over the course of treatment. You should be aware that there are other treatment options available.
Cost
For all patients interested in potential treatment at CARD, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is required and you will be charged for this service. If, based on the results of this assessment, you are eligible to the study, therapy will be provided at no cost to you. If you are not eligible for the study, we will recommend other treatment options.
Screening Procedure
Individuals who have completed a comprehensive diagnostic interview at CARD and who have been diagnosed with GAD may be eligible for the study. These individuals will be contacted by project staff for a second, free assessment to confirm eligibility.
This study is currently screening participants. If you would like more information about this study or to schedule a comprehensive diagnostic interview at CARD, please contact the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University at (617) 353-9610, or email bonnieb@bu.edu.
