Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (clinically)

Person is in high anxiety state much or all of the time. Cannot identify source of fear; worries excessively

Is not getting panic attacks but is constantly destressing anxious

Preoccupied with worries and it effects their lives

Extreme degree of what many people face

DSM definition

6 months or more person experiences disproportionate and uncontrollable anxiety and worry about multiple things

On going anxious state

Person’s description of GAD

Person feels restless, tense, fearful, does not know what it is, just gets nervous and scared to death, expects something awful.

GAD Prevalence

6%

2x more likely in women than men

15% of people with close relatives will get it (small genetic component)

Biological Theories of GAD

Deficiency of neurotransmitter GABA at critical brain sites

Deficiency in Serotonin

Either can be true because drugs that effect either cause less anxiety

Also, could be overactive fear circuits (more biologically predisposed and response to stresses)

Difference between GAD and panic

One has panic attack

Could be a different neurotransmitter related to the dysfunction

Cognitive Theory

Person had maladaptive beliefs or a dangerous world view

Work to correct maladaptive beliefs

What if bad thing did happen, would you truly not be able to handle it?

Challange and have person thing about their beliefs and overcome them

Encourage them to challenge fear and overcome it

Effective with low relapse rates

Drug Treatment

Anti-Anxiety and antidepressant drugs reduce anxiety levels

Increase levels of GABA but are addictive and have adverse effects with alcohol

High relapse rate when just taking drugs (50%)