In CBT addressing comorbidity, which strategy is commonly emphasized?

• A. Having core symptoms prioritized while coordinating treatment across disorders
• B. Relying solely on medication
• C. Treating all symptoms equally without coordination
• D. Avoiding cross-disorder interventions

Answer: (B)

In addressing comorbidity within CBT, the emphasis is on an integrated plan that targets the symptoms and processes driving multiple disorders, rather than treating each problem in isolation. Clinicians identify core symptoms or maintaining factors that cut across conditions—such as pervasive worry, avoidance, negative appraisals, or low engagement in rewarding activities—and prioritize those within a coordinated treatment across disorders. Coordinating treatment means aligning goals, techniques, and progress so interventions for one problem help others as well, often using transdiagnostic strategies like cognitive restructuring, graded exposure, and behavioral activation in a unified approach. Medication may play a role, but CBT-focused comorbidity work centers on psychotherapy as the primary driver, with pharmacotherapy as appropriate adjuncts rather than the sole strategy. This approach recognizes that many disorders share common mechanisms, making integrated, cross-disorder interventions more efficient and effective than treating symptoms separately without coordination.