Understanding Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

What is anxiety?

Emotional response to perceived threat, causing distress.

What emotional state is caused by anticipation of a future threat?

Anxiety

Fear

Immediate response to a real, present threat, physiological responses are short-term and intense.

Adaptive Anxiety

Prepares for threats, enhancing survival and performance.

Pathological Anxiety

Disrupts functioning, causing distress without real threat.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions.

Affects up to 33.7% of U.S. population.

What are common comorbid conditions with anxiety disorders?

Depression and substance use disorders.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with perceived physical flaws.

Hoarding Disorder

Difficulty discarding possessions, causing clutter.

Two-Factor Theory

Combines classical and operant conditioning in anxiety.

Cognitive Model

Anxiety arises from cognitive distortions and misinterpretations.

Behavioral Models

Focus on learned behaviors and avoidance in anxiety.

Social Learning Theory

Anxiety learned by observing others' fearful responses.

Neurobiology of Anxiety

Overactivity in amygdala contributes to anxiety symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive worry about various life aspects, lasting six months.

Panic Disorder (PD)

Recurrent panic attacks leading to avoidance behaviors.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Fear of negative evaluation in social situations.

Specific Phobia

Excessive fear of specific objects or situations.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry about having a serious illness.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Combines psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and exposure.

Exposure Therapy

Systematic exposure to feared stimuli to reduce avoidance.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Focuses on mindfulness and acceptance of emotions.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

First-line pharmacological treatment for anxiety disorders.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Alternative medication for anxiety treatment.

Benzodiazepines

Provide short-term relief but risk dependency.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Effective for OCD but have significant side effects.

Self-Help Programs

Resources like books and apps for anxiety management.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Techniques like yoga and meditation for stress reduction.

Biofeedback Therapy

Regulates physiological responses to stress through feedback.

Future Research Directions

Focus on improving treatment access and personalization.