Cognitive-behavioral therapy in pregnant women with generalized anxiety disorder: a retrospective cohort study on therapeutic efficacy, gestational age and birth weight

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy and its effects on gestational age and birth weight. Methods: The sample included 28 untreated patients and 23 patients treated with CBT. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined through the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV. Symptom severity was assessed with standardized rating scales. Results: Post-treatment levels of anxiety symptoms were significantly lower than baseline. There was no significant difference in gestational age or newborn birth weight between the cognitive behavioral therapy group and the untreated group. Conclusions: Cognitive behavioral therapy appears to be a safe and effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy.