Studies on Anxiety Disorders & Stress Management

Studies show that stress management techniques like relaxing the mind and body can help reduce anxiety symptoms, but relaxation techniques alone are not adequate treatment for anxiety disorders.

• Managing anxiety with relaxation

Study of Mindfulnes Meditation

• A 1992 study by J. Kabat-Zinn and colleagues sought to determine if the stress reduction technique of mindfulness meditation would help patients with anxiety disorders. The study showed significant reductions in anxiety and panic symptoms.

Cognitive Therapy and Anxiety Disorders

• A May 2009 study by M. F. Kavan and colleagues showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective and long-lasting treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves changing negative, worry-producing thoughts and behaviors. The study acknowledges that complementary (i.e. stress management) and alternative medicine therapies have not been proven to be an effective cure for GAD. This finding is widely accepted in the field of anxiety disorder treatment.

Stress Managment Helps but Doesn't Cure Anxiety Disorders

• A February 2007 study by S. H. Lee and colleagues examined whether a meditation-based stress management program was effective in treating people with anxiety disorders. The study showed that while it did relieve anxiety symptoms, it did not alleviate other problems that are part of the disorder, such as obsessive compulsive symptoms, somatization and social anxiety.

Clinical Studies of Anxiety Disorder Treatment

• Those who would like to participate in clinical studies about anxiety disorders should go to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website. Under the membership tab, there is a listing of clinical trials by state.

Prevention of Anxiety Disorders

• Relaxing the body gets rid of stress.

  Stress management techniques are almost always included as part of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. Good stress management and healthy thinking can help prevent the development of anxiety disorders. Conversely, poor stress management and negative thinking can lead to the development of anxiety disorders in vulnerable people.