anxiety & OCD

fear

CNS’ physiological and emotional response to a specific real threat; adaptive, useful, physiological arousal, a signal for caution or care in problem solving

anxiety

CNS’ physiological and emotional response to a vague sense of a threat; maladaptive, unhelpful, physiological arousal, a signal for caution or care in perpetuity

anxiety disorders

generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder

generalized anxiety disorder description

experience excessive anxiety under most circumstances and worry about practically anything

general anxiety criteria

for most days over 6 months across multiple settings experience: excessive worry that’s difficult to control, 3 or more symptoms of reslessness/edginess, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance; significance distress or impairment

GAD demography

2.9% of US; manifest at any age; women men ratio 2:1; most common among white americans

GAD socio-cultural POV causes and risk

ongoing societal conditions which are dangerous (i.e. crime, poverty, disease)

GAD socio-cultural POV treatment and interventions

addressing social issues, ecological interventions (reestablish social connections, re-engagement w social institution)

GAD cognitive POV causes and risks

stems from basic irrational assumptions, metacognitive theory (worrying about worrying), intolerance of uncertainty, and avoidance theory (worry distract from facing fear)

GAD cognitive POV treatments

rational emotive therapy, cognitive behavioral approach, acceptance and commitment

rational emotive therapy for GAD

identify and change irrational assumptions

cognitive behavioral approach for GAD

educate role of worry; build awareness about feelings and body; feelings and education about worry to reduce concern and worry

acceptance and commitment for GAD

accept worry as mere events of the mind - and it’s not evidence of reality

GAD bio POV causes and risk

initially: deficient GABA activity; hyperactivity of fear circuit - prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and amygdala

GAD bio POV treatment

drug therapies; 60% of GAD sufferers experience improvement (improvement short term, dependence, side effects like drowsiness); anti-depressants (SSRIs) are now more commonly prescribed

specific phobias diagnosis

persistent and unreasonable fear of a particular object, activity, or situation

specific phobias criteria

for most days over 6 months across multiple settings experience……………………..