Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Sertraline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Introduction: Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most critical issues of global health organizations. The aim of study was comparison of the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Sertraline with Sertraline alone in general anxiety disorder.Material and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed randomly among patients referring to the specialty psychiatric clinic of Imam Sajjad Hospital, Ramsar. Group 1 received cognitive-behavioral sessions in combination with Sertraline and Group 2, received only drug (starting at a daily dose of 25 mg and after the one-week dose was increased to 50 mg, and then, according to the patient's examination and response, the treatment gradually increased to 150 mg daily). Patients were assessed with Beck Anxiety Questionnaire before and after the end of treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups treated with Sertraline + CBT and Sertraline alone in terms of gender, marital status, socio-economic status, educational status, occupational status, and degree of anxiety before and after the study (P < 0.05). In Sertraline + CBT group, there was no significant relationship between gender and educational level, job status, socio-economic status and marital status of patients with severity of anxiety after treatment (P < 0.05).Conclusion: From the results of this study, it can be concluded that treatment of Sertraline + CBT with Sertraline alone would not result in a further reduction in the anxiety score and degree of anxiety in patients, and this treatment was not related to gender, marital status, socio-economic status, and the degree of patients.