W7 Anxiety and Stress-related problems (2) Flashcards
Heritable influence GAD
: Runs in families but heritability is low. Suggests that there is a genetic or biological element
GAD DSM 5
Disproportionate fear or anxiety relating to different aspects of your life.
The anxiety should be relating to at least two areas of activity.
Feeling anxiety will be accompanied by symptoms of restlessness, agitation, muscle tension.
Feelings of anxiety and worry will be associated with behaviours such as avoidance, seeking reassurance, excessive preparing ect.
Symptoms cannot be explained by other mental health. (not related to fear of panic, intrusive thoughts)
GAD Biological theories
have found that GAD sufferers show hyper-responsivity in the amygdala and bigger amygdala, more specifically In female GAD sufferers.
Environemtal factors GAD
Negative life events (childhood trauma) risk factor to GAD, Attachment style (anxious attachment style): adolescents and adults with GAD they felt reject or overcontrolling or emotionally cold from their parents, feeling unsafe.
Modeling
if children see their parents reacting anxiously, they might then perceive things as a threat
Cognitive biases GAD
information: maintain anxiety, perceive miss information, don’t give enough attention to positive information they focus on negative information which reinforces their anxiety
Pharmaceutical intervention GAD
When waiting for therapy to tackle the deeper aspects of GAD because they can relieve physical symptoms.
Benzodizepines
anxiety relieving properties, acts on GABA (main receptor). Similar alcohol with GABA. Addictive, really bad side effects.
B-Blockers: blocking effects of adrenaline. Help with some relief, reduce heart rate, blood pressure, help with physiological symptoms
Stimulus control therapy GAD
They have dedicated time to worry, so they don’t have to worry all day. It’s to gain control over worry.
Needs persistence, not that easy to do
Self monitoring (therapy) GAD
List of everything that might trigger their worry, to reflect on their day to day. Monitor their day-to-day activity to find their triggers.
Relaxatino training GAD
to deal with chronic stress, breathing exercises, reduce physiological symptoms.
Visual therapy gad
creative work, art therapy, way to channel that anxiety and worry.
Cognitive restructuring GAD
challenges bias and creates thoughts more accurate. Channels their own thoughts, and how realistic they are.
Behavioural rehearsal GAD
how would they cope if something bad happened, therapist will work to develop good positive coping strategies.
Panic disorder
Characterized by repeated panic attacks. They are different to having panic attack on it’s own. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear. Usually unexpected, with no specific trigger.