Anxiety Disorders

Jacqueline CorcoranMental, Emotional, Behavior

DisordersVCU School of Social Work

http://www.jacquelinecorcoran.com/

Anxiety Disorders an unpleasant but normal, functional affect that

provides people with warning signs for perceived threats.

becomes problematic creates a sense of powerlessness, suggests an impending danger that is

unrealistic, produces an exhausting state of vigilance, produces a level of self-absorption that

interferes with problem solving, creates doubt about the nature of reality

DSM 5 OCD and PTSD are taken out Types of diagnoses

Separation anxiety Panic disorder Agoraphobia Social anxiety disorder (SAD) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Simple phobia Selective mutism

Prevalence 28.8% of the U.S. population over the

life span and 18.1% over any 12-month period

SAD most common

Co-Morbidity Other anxiety disorders Depression Substance use Suicidality Medical problems

Assessment History of onset, development, frequency and

nature of symptoms Times when anxiety abated or was lessened Family history Co-existing disorders, including substance use Medical history, physical exam (Anxiety D/O

due to a medical condition) and review of medications (Substance-Induced Anxiety D/O)

Major life events ad stressors Social, school, and occupational history

Onset – risk and protection Biological

Modest heritability Behavioral inhibition Female gender

Psychological Escape avoidance Learning theory

Social Family

Stressful life events Anxious attachment Family members have anxiety disorders

Social Low SES Gay and lesbian Social cohort changes

Course 40% chronic and moderately severe 40% minimal 20% chronic and severe Predicting chronic:

Not having a partner younger age of onset childhood trauma comorbid depressive disorder

Delays in treatment seeking Medical system SAD 16 years

CBT Psychoeducation Monitoring anxiety symptoms Cognitive restructuring Breathing retraining Progressive muscle relaxation Problem solving is a step-by-step approach for

generating a variety of practical solutions to life challenges.

Exposure is a process through which the client has to face the feared object until the anxiety dissipates.

Medication Benzodiazapines SSRI’s

Critique SAD