Module 9 Anxiety

Normal Anxiety

Characterised by a linear process where some event/trigger = percieved threat = anxiety response = successful coping mechanism = resolution of anxiety

Pathological Anxiety

A circular process whereby maladaptive responses maintain the anxiety

prevalence of anxiety

13%

Safety seeking behaviours

Prevent the individual from learning that danger is overestimated, eg support person

components of anxiety

cognitive (attentional bias), emotional (fear), physiological (heart rate), behavioural (escape)

focus of attention

attention is selectively directed towards anxiety cues and away from those that would diminish anxiety

spontaneous imagery

vivid mental images that enhance anxiety

memory processes

selective recall of threat

interpretation of reactions to threat

catastropic conclusions exacerbate anxiety

prolonged worrying

increases distress and impairs problem solving

Emotional reasoning

Believing if you feel it, it must be true

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Fear or anxiety regarding separation from attachment figures that is developmentally inappropriate or excessive

Specific Phobia

Fear or anxiety regarding circumscribed objects or situations

Social Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety regarding social interactions and situations that involve the possibility of being scrutinised

Panic Disorder

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with persistent concern of more panic attacks

Panic attack

An abrupt surge of intense fear/ discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes

Agoraphobia

Fear and anxiety in many situations because of thoughts that escape would be difficult

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about various domains

Type 1 worry

Worry about noncognitive events

Type 2 worry

Worry about ones own thought processes – worry about worry

difference between worry and obsessions

obsessions are egodystonic, worry is not

Wells Model of GAD

Emphasises type 1 and type 2 worry in maintaining anxiety

Dugas Model of GAD

Emphasises intolerance of uncertainty in maintaining anxiety

negative problem orientation

the belief that ones problems are too difficult and they need to prepare for every possible scenario to handle these