What is a primary goal of using CBT for perinatal anxiety?

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for perinatal anxiety primarily aims to reduce physical hypervigilance. Hypervigilance is a heightened state of alertness and sensitivity to potential threats, which can be especially pronounced in individuals experiencing anxiety during the perinatal period. By focusing on this aspect, CBT helps clients recognize and alter the patterns of thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their anxiety.

The key components of CBT involve identifying negative thought patterns, understanding how these thoughts influence feelings and behaviors, and working to develop healthier, more adaptive coping strategies. By reducing hypervigilance, individuals can experience relief from anxiety symptoms, enabling them to engage more fully in their lives and manage the challenges of the perinatal period.

The other options do not reflect the main goals of CBT in this context. Promoting perfectionism would be detrimental, as it often exacerbates anxiety rather than alleviating it. Eliminating all fears is unrealistic and not a focus of CBT, which instead aims to help clients manage fears more effectively. Changing past behaviors, while a potential outcome of therapy, does not directly address the immediate goal of managing anxiety symptoms in the perinatal population. Thus, prioritizing the reduction of hypervigilance is crucial for enhancing