Which option correctly pairs three common anxiety disorders with their typical CBT approaches?

• A. OCD — ERP; Panic disorder — Interoceptive exposure plus cognitive restructuring; Social anxiety disorder — Exposure with cognitive restructuring.
• B. OCD — Exposure with cognitive restructuring; Panic disorder — ERP; Social anxiety disorder — Systematic desensitization alone.
• C. OCD — Cognitive therapy only; Panic disorder — Mindfulness; Social anxiety disorder — Behavioral activation.
• D. OCD — ERP; Panic disorder — Exposure with fear hierarchies only; Social anxiety disorder — Cognitive restructuring only.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is matching CBT techniques to the specific features of each anxiety disorder. OCD is most effectively treated with exposure with response prevention, which helps reduce the urge to perform compulsions by gradually resisting the ritualized responses. Panic disorder relies on interoceptive exposure to feared bodily sensations, paired with cognitive restructuring to challenge catastrophic interpretations of those sensations. Social anxiety disorder is typically addressed with exposure to feared social situations alongside cognitive restructuring to modify negative beliefs about judgment and rejection. This combination reflects how CBT targets the distinct fear patterns and thought processes in each disorder. The other options either rely on techniques that don’t fully address the disorder’s hallmark fear or omit essential components like exposure or cognitive work.