[Behavior therapy of anxiety disorders]

Behavior therapy is rapidly gaining on importance in the treatment of anxiety disorders. A brief overview of assessment and models of the origins and maintenance of anxiety is presented and demonstrated with a case example of strong avoidance behavior based on feared anxiety attacks in specific situations. The cognitive behavioral intervention comprised 4 sessions of treatment in the office with extensive self-exposure to the feared and previously avoided situation, namely driving the car on the highway and visiting shopping centers, between sessions. The exposure treatment in conjunction with cognitive restructuring and provided problem solving strategies lead to rapid elimination of avoidance behavior as well as the fear of anxiety attacks within one month. Two years later, the patient is free of the previously presented symptoms.