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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by intense and excessive worry and is associated with high rates of comorbidity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be efficacious for GAD. Nonetheless, GAD is the least successfully treated of the anxiety disorders, and there are often residuals symptoms in patients who are successfully treated. Mindfulness-based therapies may provide an alternative and/or adjunctive approach to CBT. This chapter discusses CBT and mindfulness for GAD as well as the recent literature on the neurobiology of GAD. A conceptual framework for a mindfulness-based approach to GAD is developed. Specific case examples are provided to illustrate key concepts. The author proposes an 8-week protocol specific to GAD based on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) developed by Segal et al. (Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: a new approach to preventing relapse. Guilford, 2002). Challenges implementing MBCT are reviewed as well as recommendations for professionals considering training in MBCT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, Box 147, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Susan Evans Ph.D.

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  1. Susan Evans Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Susan Evans Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The UCSF Dep.Cent.,Langley Porter Psy.In, University of California, San Franc, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stuart J. Eisendrath

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Evans, S. (2016). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. In: Eisendrath, S. (eds) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-29864-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-29866-5

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