comerabpsych11e_ch05

Abnormal Psychology Overview

• Textbook: Abnormal Psychology by Ronald J. Comer & Jonathan S Comer, Eleventh Edition.

Chapter 5: Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders

Definitions

• Fear:

  • Central nervous system's physiological and emotional response to serious threat to one’s well-being.

• Anxiety:

  • Central nervous system's physiological and emotional response to a vague sense of threat or danger.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

  • Disorder marked by persistent and excessive feelings of anxiety and worry about numerous events and activities.

  • Also known as free-floating anxiety.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

• Most common mental disorders in the USA.

  • Statistics:

    • 19% of U.S. adults experience one of six DSM-5 anxiety disorders yearly (1 in 5 adults).

    • 31% develop one of these disorders at some point in their lives.

    • 42% of individuals with anxiety disorders seek treatment.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Details

• Characteristics:

  • Excessive anxiety under most circumstances.

  • Worries about practically anything, leading to reduced quality of life.

• Demographics:

  • Affects about 4% of the U.S. population.

  • Gender ratio: 2:1 (women to men).

  • 43% seek treatment.

  • Racial-ethnic differences suggest non-Hispanic white Americans more likely to develop anxiety disorders than African, Hispanic, or Asian Americans.

• Diagnostic Criteria:

  1. Ongoing, disproportionate anxiety about multiple matters lasting 6 months or more.

  2. Three or more symptoms: edginess, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems.

  3. Causes significant distress or impairment.

Sociocultural Perspective on GAD

• GAD develops in those faced with dangerous, ongoing social conditions.

  • Supported by research on societal stress, including:

    • Poverty.

    • Race and ethnicity.

    • Widespread illness (e.g., COVID-19).

Separation Anxiety Disorder

• Individuals feel extreme anxiety during separations from key people.

  • Most common among young children but can develop in adults, which is controversial.

Psychodynamic Perspective on GAD

• Freud theorized that high anxiety levels occur from ineffective defense mechanisms.

• Modern theorists connect GAD to early parent-child relationships.

  • Relevant research focuses on:

    • Defense mechanisms.

    • Repressed memories.

    • Harsh punishment.

    • Overprotectiveness.

Psychodynamic Therapies

• Techniques:

  • Free association.

  • Interpretation of transference, resistance, dreams.

  • Reduction of id impulse fears and control.

• Treatments vary in focus:

  • Freudians emphasize fear control over fear itself.

  • Object-relations therapists address early relationship issues.

  • Short-term psychodynamic therapy is found more effective.

Humanistic Perspective

• GAD arises from a lack of honest self-reflection and acceptance.

• Carl Rogers' Explanation:

  • Lack of unconditional positive regard in childhood results in harsh self-standards and anxiety.

• Humanistic treatment (Client-centered therapy):

  • Emphasis on showing unconditional positive regard; however, controlled studies show limited support for this treatment's effectiveness.

Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

• Psychological disorders traced back to problematic behaviors and dysfunctional thinking.

• Treatment revolves around:

  • Identifying and changing maladaptive assumptions (Ellis).

  • Addressing silent and meta-worries (Beck).

• Treatments include:

  • Mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy.

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy.

Biological Perspective

• GAD influenced largely by biological factors.

  • Supports from family pedigree and brain-based studies.

  • Involvement of brain circuits, particularly related to fear reactions.

• Biological Treatments:

  • Focus on neurotransmitter GABA to modulate anxiety responses.

Phobias Overview

• Definition:

  • Persistent and irrational fears leading to avoidance behaviors.

  • Intense fears create distress impacting functioning.

• Categories:

  • Specific phobias.

  • Agoraphobia (fear of leaving home).

Specific Phobias Statistics

• Yearly and lifetime prevalence:

  • Exist in 9% of U.S. population yearly; 13% will experience in a lifetime.

  • Higher incidence in women (2:1 ratio).

  • 32% seek treatment.

Agoraphobia Details

• Affects 1% yearly with 1.3% experiencing symptoms; 46% seek treatment.

• Symptoms include:

  • Pronounced fear in at least two situations.

  • Avoidance resulting in significant distress or impairment.

Causes and Learning of Specific Phobias

• Cognitive-behavioral theories dominate:

  • Learning Models:

    • Classical conditioning (initial fear acquisition).

    • Modeling through observation and imitation.

• Biological Explanation:

  • Certain phobias are more common due to biological preparedness for fear development.