Preview

Anxiety, a Review

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2092 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Anxiety, a Review
Abstract
A review of research on anxiety: the physiological, neurological, and psychological aspects. Covered in brief are the definitions, classifications, symptomologies, and demographics of those affected. Prior studies and research are addressed from different points of view including inherent traits, biological basis, and environmental factors. Rationale and different treatment modalities from both the neurological and psychological perspectives are presented.

Introduction
Because anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, routinely affecting millions of people worldwide, they are of great concern within the fields of medicine and psychology today. These psychiatric disorders are “characterized by unrealistic, unfounded fear and anxiety” (Carlson, 467) many of which appear to have a biological basis. Afflicting twice as many females as males as well of people of all age groups, these mental disorders are “characterized by various combinations of key features (which include) Irritability, fear, Insomnia, Nervousness, Tachycardia, Inability to concentrate, poor coping skills, Palpitation, Sweating, Agoraphobia, and Social Withdrawal” (Ashwani, Tarun, Ajay, & Anil, 2011) as well as feelings of worry, apprehension, tension, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, feelings of unreality, and expectation of impending disaster, (Carlson, 467). Overall, there is an abnormally high level of distress with psychological and physiological symptoms “manifested by hyper arousal of the central nervous system” (Ashawani, Tarun, Ajay, & Anil, 2011). These characteristics can be debilitating, interfering with work, school, personal relationships, and the ability to perform minor tasks, sometimes leaving people unable to leave their own homes.
Classifications and Definitions
There are five main classifications of anxiety disorders. These include panic disorder (PD) which is characterized by recurrent “attacks of acute anxiety



References: Ashwani, A., Tarun, K., Ajay, M., & Anil, H. (2011). Anxiety disorders: a review Carlson, N. (2011). Foundations of behavioral neuroscience (8th ed.), Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon. Cooper, C., Bebbington, PE, Meltzer, H. et al. (2008). Depression and common mental disorders in lone parents: results for the 2000 National Psychiatric Englert C., Bertrams, A., & Dickhauser, O. (2011). Dispositional self-control capacity and trait anxiety as relates to coping styles Lang, A. (2004). Treating generalized anxiety disorder with cognitive behavioral therapy. Pavlov IP. 1955. Selected Works, 1955 Edition. Moscow: Foreign Lang. Publ. Rachman S. (2009). Psychological treatment of anxiety: the evolution of behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    “Anxiety is the signal of danger which mobilizes the human organism’s resources at all levels of functioning in the interests of conservation, defense, and self- preservation.” (Anxiety 1) If a person suffers from anxiety there is a major loss of control and then an attempt to regain that control because of a fear that they have. Anxiety disorders are one of the most frequently occurring mental disorders in the United States. However, anxiety disorders are not only found in the United States. They are found throughout the world. They just happen to be most predominating in the United States. In this paper, I will be discussing the generalized anxiety disorder and how if effects society today.…

    • 1542 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    | A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about two (or more) domains of activities or events (for example, domains like family, health, finances, and school/work difficulties)B. The excessive anxiety and worry occur on more days than not for three months or more (APA, 2000) Examination of Classifications and SymptomsC. The anxiety and worry are associated with one or more of the following symptoms: 1. Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge2. Being easily fatigued3. Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank4. Irritability5. Muscle tension6. Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)D. The anxiety and worry are associated with one or more of the following behaviors:a. Marked avoidance of situations in which a negative outcome could occurb. Marked time and effort preparing for situations in which a negative outcome could occurc. Marked procrastination in behavior or decision-making due to worriesd. Repeatedly seeking reassurance due to worries E. The focus of the anxiety and worry are not restricted to symptoms of another disorder, such as Panic Disorder (e.g., anxiety about having a panic attack), Social Anxiety Disorder (e.g., being embarrassed in public), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e.g, anxiety about being contaminated), Separation Anxiety Disorder (e.g., anxiety about being away from home or close relatives), Anorexia Nervosa (e.g., fear of gaining weight), Somatization Disorder (e.g., anxiety about multiple physical complaints), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (e.g., worry about perceived appearance flaws), Hypchondriasis (e.g., belief about having a serious illness), and the anxiety and worry do not occur exclusively during Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.F. The anxiety,…

    • 7740 Words
    • 31 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Anxiety is the fear of things to come and is the primary cause for the flourish of disorders. There are many types of anxiety disorders; general anxiety disorder (GAD), acute stress disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)(Smith, 2010). Individuals that suffer from anxiety disorders experience feelings of a more intense and extreme nature, often times these disorders are debilitating as well. Individuals with anxiety disorders have thoughts and feelings of apprehension and fear, which disrupts how a person functions in their life as they normally, would. Not only is the body affected by anxiety but mind is also distressed. Symptoms of anxiety include; insomnia, mood swings, exhaustion, and headaches (Article Base, 2009).…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Anxiety Disorder

    • 1009 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Anxiety disorder is a common disorder that affects any race, culture, gender, and age that has increase in the modern world. However, they are probably as old as mankind, since a panic attack is the way for the body to detect and prepare to "fight or flight” imminent danger (McNally, 1990). This disorder is very common in life, childhood, or adolescence throughout the experience of changes in the process of physiological, social, and emotional development. Interactions with people, situations, and lifespan in different ways can create or contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. There are different types of anxiety disorders that include panic, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorders (McNally, 1990). These different disorders may be different but they share many of the same emotional and physical symptoms. The series of physical and cognitive symptoms that arise during a panic attack, involve symptoms of intense fear and anxiety. Generally these attacks occur suddenly and confusion almost instantaneous with any expectation of the person (McNally, 1990). For example phobia attacks are spontaneous, specific, and predisposed by situations. These symptoms appear spontaneous, without warning at any time or place. The symptoms of a panic attack is the most frightening thing that can happen without warning, and those who suffer cannot even try to rationalize or relate to a specific fear (McNally, 1990). The random nature of these attacks causes are often mistaken for heart attacks.…

    • 1009 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Anxiety disorders are the condition in which intense feelings of fear and dreads are long-standing or disruptive. The latest technologies are facilitating examiners and scientists to understand more about the biological, psychological, and social aspects that effect the growth of an anxiety disorder. In addition to an enhanced understanding of essential reasons, better remedy and even avoidance measures will be possible. The following are believed to play a role in the episode of anxiety disorders:…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Dr. Archibald Hart tackles the difficult subject of anxiety. Not only does he go into deep discussions about anxiety, but also he also covers the seemingly never ending causes and cures for many of the varying problems and issues that arise from anxiety. Like many of the authors previously discussed in this section, Dr. Hart does not believe that medication is the answer to solving these life problems. Even though medications do help and aid in the process, a lifestyle change is critical and necessary in order to overcome anxiety and the many other difficulties directly associated with anxiety.…

    • 922 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Barlow, D.H., 1988. Anxiety and Its Disorders: The Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic. Guilford, New York.…

    • 3448 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    (2013). Generalized anxiety disorder: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. UpToDate, 1-9. Retrieved from http://www.uptodate.com…

    • 1683 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In abnormal psychology there are numerous paradigms explaining what generates, maintains and relieves psychological disorders. Each paradigm guides the choice of assessments and interventions. In this essay generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) will be examined through the lens of two paradigms; cognitive and behavioural. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic long-term disorder that causes the individual to suffer symptoms that make functioning in daily life hard, by interfering with social activities, work, school and family (Montgomery, 2011). GAD is characterised by excessive and persistent worry that is not restricted to any particular event or circumstance. The individual lives with GAD in a constant state of hyper-vigilance,…

    • 433 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, and like many mental illnesses, anxiety is hereditary. This mental illness arises in response to apparently innocuous situations and is the product of subjective, internal, and emotional conflicts the causes of which may not be apparent to the person himself. Anxiety affects people differently, some people's anxiety arises in the course of daily life and is considered normal. (Anxiety) Anxiety can be known as a phobia (when unreasonable evoked by a specific object of event), but in regular terms a free-floating-persistent associated with no particular cause or mental concern. This illness is an adaptive mechanism that signals a potentially harmful internal or external change and…

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Psychologists and psychiatrists have been studying the mind for centuries to understand its complexities and how it functions. In the pursuit for answers, these experts of the mind have uncovered many different oddities and malfunctions that are commonly referred to today as psychological disorders. Within this classification of psychological disorders, researchers have developed a subsection of afflictions that have come to be known as the major anxiety disorders. There are five types of anxiety disorders and these include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. As common as most of these disorders are, one has become increasingly…

    • 1497 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Trauma Theory and Process

    • 2017 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. (1986b). Treatment of anxiety disorders: Implications for psychopathology. Psychological Bulletin, 99, 20-35…

    • 2017 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many different types of mental disorders that affect different people in many aspects of life. In fact, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (Kim Foundation, 2006). Therefore, it is safe to say that many people are impacted by a disorder. A mental disorder can be minor, such as ADHD, or can be as major as Alzimers, or in some cases, death. You can be born with a mental disorder, such as an abnormality in the brail, or you could pick up a mental disorder, such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In this paper, I will be elaborating on the most common type of mental disorders, Anxiety disorders.…

    • 994 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Anxiety is defined as an emotion that causes physical symptoms, such as a faster heartbeat or feelings of tension, and thoughts of worry (Beidel, 2014). Anxiety is distinguished from fear in that fear is an immediate response to a stressor, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of a future stressor (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Both feelings of fear and anxiety are normal, however excessive anxiety, persistent feelings of anxiety and irrational cues that cause anxiety can be signs of an anxiety disorder. Currently, the DSM-V lists nine different subcategories under anxiety. The DSM-V was released in 2013 and provides explanations to differentiate between disorder types and provides recommendations on how to diagnose and treat disorders,…

    • 805 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of the population” (1). To fully understand the extent of this wide-spread issue, one must first know what anxiety is. According to Harvard Medical School’s health publications, “Anxiety is a reaction to stress that has both psychological and physical features” (2). Chronic anxiety places a massive physical and mental toll on one’s body, which is why the management of such disorder is essential to healthy living (3). There are many factors that contribute to the successful treatment of anxiety,…

    • 784 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays