Anxiety and Phobias

Generalized anxiety disorder

excessive, difficult to control worry across several life areas; occurs more days than not for at least 6 months; often involves restlessness, tension, fatigue, irritability, concentration difficulties, or disrupted sleep; the worry causes significant distress or interferes w/ functioning

specific phobia

intense, persistent fear of a particular object or situation; the response exceeds the actual danger, considering the context; fear or avoidance persists for at least 6 months and causes distress or impairment

how fears/phobias develop

classical conditioning, vicarious conditioning, observational learning, information transmission, preparedness theory

less than or equal 10 years old

typical onset of when a phobia develops

situational phobias

often have a later onset

childhood/adolescence phobias

likely to wax and wane

phobias persisting into adulthood

unlikely to remit

childhood

Developmentally appropriate to have extensive fears in _.

developmental stage

for a phobia, must assess the child’s: degree of impairment, duration of anxiety, fear, avoidance, typically of the child’s particular _.

social anxiety disorder

persistent fear of negative evaluation in social or performance situations; concern about embarrassment, rejection, or visible anxiety symptoms; situations are avoided or endured with intense distress; usually lasts at least 6 months and disrupts daily life

neuroticism

tendency to experience negative emotions

anxiety sensitivity

fear of anxiety related sensations; previous panic like episodes (fear spells); stressful life events and smoking

behavioral inhibition

distress or withdrawal in unfamiliar situations; frightening or traumatic encounters; parents overprotection, loss . or separation

vulnerability

risk factors increase _; they do not guarantee a disorder

CBT for anxiety

examine threat predictions and develop more balanced interpretations; practice different behaviors and test predictions through experience; build coping skills and practice between sessions; treatment is adapted to the person and the disorder