Anxiety Mood.  2019 Apr;15(1):20-28. 10.24986/anxmod.2019.15.1.20.

Comparison of Effectiveness of Psychotherapies for Relieving Depressive Symptoms in Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review

• Kim SY
• Kim EJ
• Jeon SW
• Shin DW
• Shin YC
• Oh KS

• KMID: 2448010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24986/anxmod.2019.15.1.20

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze effectiveness of various psychotherapies of depressive symptoms in patients with anxiety disorders by means of a systemic review.
METHODS
A systematic search using key words was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE and CENTRAL.
RESULTS
Five studies were included in this systematic review. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was used for quality assessment. Diagnostic-specific cognitive behavioral therapies for various anxiety disorders (ds CBT) were also effective in reducing comorbid depression. Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapies targeting anxiety and depression (tCBT-AD) were not superior than ds CBT for anxiety disorders. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was more effective than traditional cognitive behavioral therapy.
CONCLUSION
ds CBT relieves anxiety symptoms as well as depressive symptoms comorbid with anxiety disorders effectively. In addition, MBSR is more successful for anxiety disorders with co-occurring depression by focusing broadly on the shifting relationship to internal experience rather than focusing narrowly on specific symptoms.

Keyword

Depression; Anxiety disorders; Comorbidity; Psychotherapy

MeSH Terms

Anxiety Disorders*
Anxiety*
Cognitive Therapy
Comorbidity
Depression*
Humans
Psychotherapy*