How CBT Has Proven Its Effectiveness

Early on, CBT’s journey was far from smooth sailing.

Freudian analysts and other researchers criticized Beck’s theory as “superficial,” pointing to a lack of evidence. Pharmaceutical companies also attacked him, fearing a threat to their profits from psychotropic drugs.

Building a solid evidence base took time.

In 1977, Beck conducted studies on patients with depression, showing that cognitive-behavioral therapy was more effective than imipramine, which at the time was considered the most powerful antidepressant.

Today, over 200 major studies confirm CBT’s effectiveness across a variety of conditions.

Let’s share some examples demonstrating CBT’s effectiveness for a range of different psychological problems:

Depression: A 2012 study by Tad Jude and colleagues found CBT effective for 40-60% of people suffering from depression after 14-16 therapy sessions. Over time, CBT’s effectiveness continued to grow, cutting relapse rates by 50-60%.

Anxiety: In 2018, Norton and colleagues showed that CBT helped 46-66% of patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Its benefits held over the long term, with low relapse rates.

PTSD: A 2014 study by Schneider and colleagues reported that 60-72% of PTSD patients saw significant improvement after CBT, and those results remained stable over time.

Panic Attacks: In 2017, Barlow and colleagues found that CBT led to a substantial drop in panic attacks in 60-75% of participants. Those improvements lasted, with a low rate of relapse.

They say numbers rule the world. No, they simply show us how the world is ruled.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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We’ve covered what CBT does well, but we should also mention when it might not be enough on its own.

If you have a serious mental disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, CBT alone probably won’t suffice; you’ll most likely need medication as well.

And remember:

Avoid self-diagnosis. Only a trained professional can determine how severe your psychological issues are.

We strongly recommend consulting a psychologist. Your mental health is worth the effort!