'Talking cure' works better than drugs for anxiety

Are you worried or stressed?  Don’t turn to drugs – instead try one of the ‘talking cures’ such as cognitive behavioural therapy, which works even better, a new study has found.

Many people – and especially the elderly – suffer from general anxiety, and as it’s often the first stage to full-blown depression, it’s important to deal with it.

The most common treatment is either a prescription for an antidepressant or benzodiazepine, but researchers have discovered that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is more effective.

Researchers from the Houston Center for Quality of Care tested drug therapy against CBT on a group of 134 participants, with an average age of 68 years.  CBT was far more effective than drug therapy in reducing worry, lack of confidence, depression, and general mental health.

(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2009; 301: 1460-7).