title: Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety disorders is here to stay.
abstract: Anxiety disorders are common and disabling. Cognitive behavior therapy is the treatment of choice but is often difficult to obtain. Automated, internet-delivered, cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) courses may be an answer. There are three recent systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials that show that the benefits are substantial (d = 1.0) and similar to face to face CBT. There are two large effectiveness trials that demonstrate strong effects when iCBT is used in primary care; 60 % of patients who complete the courses no longer meet diagnostic criteria. The courses are suitable for most people with a primary anxiety disorder. Research studies usually exclude people whose anxiety is secondary to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or substance abuse or who are actively suicidal. Little additional input from clinicians is required. Patients find the courses very convenient. Clinically, the principal advantage is the fidelity of the treatment. What you prescribe is what the patient sees.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), School of Psychiatry, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) at St Vincent's Hospital, Level 4, The O'Brien Centre St. Vincent's Hospital, 394-404 Victoria Street Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Sydney, Australia, gavina@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Newby
authors.forename: Alishia D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*