Self-help interventions for anxiety disorders: an overview

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2007 Aug;9(4):284-90. doi: 10.1007/s11920-007-0034-6.

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and are associated with a marked impairment in quality of life and a huge economic cost to society. Unfortunately, a considerable number of people who struggle with anxiety do not seek or receive adequate treatment. Self-help interventions have been proposed to constitute a relatively cheap, effective, efficient, and low-threshold intervention for anxiety disorders. This paper offers a critical discussion of their advantages and disadvantages and the evidence for their effectiveness. We conclude that guided self-help can play a major role in mental health care for patients with anxiety disorders. However, several research questions need to be answered before broad-scale dissemination is possible. The Internet will continue to play a prominent role in the further development of this field of research and clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Desensitization, Psychologic
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Psychotherapy, Brief
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Self Care / psychology*
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted
  • Treatment Outcome