Patients' perceptions of pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy are the most well-established treatments for anxiety disorders. This study examined how treatment-seeking anxiety disorder patients (N = 103) perceive the acceptability, believability, and effectiveness of these treatments. While both treatments were perceived favorably, CBT was rated as more acceptable and more likely to be effective in the long-term. Most patients also rated CBT as their treatment of choice. Patients taking medication reported equally favorable views of both treatments, whereas unmedicated patients rated CBT more favorably than medication. Psychotherapy history was less strongly related to treatment perceptions. Our results suggest that despite their favorable views of both treatments, patients tend to prefer CBT to medication for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Directions for future research are discussed.