Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
Types of Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Specific Phobia
- Agoraphobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
Lifetime prevalence of an anxiety disorder + risk factors
25%
Women > men
Genetics!!! 4-8x risk w/ first degree relative
more prevalent among lower SES
Panic Disorder Treatment
Psychotherapy & Medications
- Relaxation and breathing exercises
- Identifying the catastrophizing cognitions
- Systematic desensitization therapy!
- hierarchy of things that might cause you panic
- goal = unlearn behavioral response
Medications for Panic Disorder
SSRIs -reduce severity and frequency of panic attacks
- Prozac
- Paxil
- Zoloft
Benzos
- Xanax
- Klonopin** longer acting, less addictive
Specific Phobias
Consistent anxiety for 6 + months
- avoided or endured with difficulty
- Extreme/out of proportion
Categories (75% fear >1 stimulus)
- animals
- nature (lightening, heights)
- Situational (public speaking)
- Needle stick
Risk Factors for developing Specific phobias
2x greater risk in females
Temperament –> some people are just more neurotic
Environment –> traumatic encounter with stimulus
Genetics!!
Specific phobia treatment
Exposure therapy! Goal to extinguish response
- Systemic desensitization; learning to relax while facing fear
- Modeling: watch someone else handle it
- Flooding: lots of images of fear…overwhelms the body and desensitizes patient ot that exposure
- Applied tension technique: increases blood pressure and heart rate so wont faint while getting needle stick
Are medications useful in treatment of specific phobias?
No! They are just a temporary fix!
Agoraphobia definition
Anxiety about 2 or more…
- public transportation
- open spaces
- closed spaces
- crowds
- lines
- being outside the home alone
Fear of inability to escape, no available help
Agoraphobia Prevalence
Females
Peaks in late adolescence and early adulthood
-average onset is 17 yo
Agoraphobia Treatment
Similar to phobia & panic disorder
- exposure therapy
- desensitization therapy
Remission is rare without treatment
Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis
Anxious in social situations- afraid of being rejected
- consistent, lasting 6+ months
- focused on avoiding such events
- NOT comforted by others*
Can be specific to performance only –ex: public speaking
Social Anxiety Etiology
Behavioral – negative social experience
Cognitive – high standards for personal performance
Genetic predisposition
When is social anxiety most prevalent?
75% onset between ages 8 & 15
MC in females, BUT men seek treatment more often
Prevalence will decrease with age
Social Anxiety Treatment
Psychotherapy
- CBT = challenge unrealistic/incorrect thoughts
- Exposure therapy
- Relaxation exercises
Meds:
- Luvox
- Paxil
- Zoloft
- Effexor
