Generalized Anxiety Disorders: A Case Study

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for a variety of disorder diagnoses. Although pharmacological treatments are the most widely used method of treatment in anxiety disorders in America, research has found that even though patients respond sufficiently to medication treatment initially some are unable

Generalized Anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent, chronic, costly and disabling mental disorder (Tyrer & Baldwin, 2006). This disorder is defined by excessive and persistent worry and anxiety about everyday internal and external events. Other symptoms can be restlessness, fatigue, problems concentrating, irritability, and sleep issues. This journal article describes anxiety disorder and different types of treatments used to help patients with anxiety disorder.This research is primarily on the effects of psychological treatments of GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). In the trial study, they compared psychotherapy with untreated controls and others psychotherapies they used pharmacotherapy. They did this to see if they could understand the overall effects of psychotherapy in GAD. They also wanted to take a closer look at long term effects. The study also wanted to include something that was not like the face to face studies of the past. They wanted to look at internet-based CBT and pharmacological treatment. They took 41 of the previous studies and examined them between their

Along with CBT, an additional evidence based treatment is relaxation training. According to Wicks-Nelson and Israel (2015), relaxation training is a method that “teaches individuals to be aware of their physiological and muscular reactions to anxiety and provide them with skills to control these reactions” (p. 136). Due to individuals learning their physiological and muscular reactions to anxiety they can sense the early signs or anxiety and relax before they panic. As said by Wicks-Nelson & Israel (2015) individuals will go through muscle relaxation training and they will learn a cue word such as “calm”.

In the peer reviewed article, “Perceived functions of worry among generalized anxiety disorder subjects: Distractions from more emotionally distressing topics?” the authors discussed how some people with anxiety have found their anxiety to be maladaptive in some ways, and beneficial in other ways. To summarize the six areas that were commonly found in persons with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) we motivation to complete tasks, problem solving, preparation for the worst case-scenario, planning to avoid negative events, distraction form emotional thoughts, and superstitions that fear and worry will prevent future negative events from taking place.

Maddy is currently suffering from Major Depressive Disorder 296.33(F33.2). Her symptoms portray a change from previous functioning. She experiences depressed mood most of the day. Her self-report of hopelessness indicates the severity of the disorder. She advises of experiencing this feeling for two years, which surpasses the time frame required for diagnosis. She also reports marked diminished interest and pleasure of almost all activities. This is indicated through Maddy’s personal account of the inability to get of bed, and partake in the normal activities she usually does. The client reports a decrease in appetite and the inability to fall asleep. She also expresses loss of energy to continue through the day. She advises of the inability to concentrate, and had a specific plan for committing suicide.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used treatment for anxiety and, generally, has the fastest and most beneficial outcomes (according to Dr. Hibbs). CBT is based on the fact that a majority of emotional stress and anxiety is related to how an individual thinks. Therefore, if you can change flawed/maladaptive thinking then it would lead to changes in affect and behavior.

Anxiety is treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most used for anxiety.Cognitive behavioral therapy helps with negativity and “bad” feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy has two main components these include : “Cognitive therapy examines how negative thoughts, or cognitions, contribute to anxiety.Behavior therapy examines how you behave and react in situations that trigger anxiety.The basis of cognitive behavioral therapy is that our thoughts—not external events—affect the way we feel”(Arbor,2011,p.12). In other words, different situations can have different reactions and vise versa. Each clinical area focuses on different parts of the brain that may trigger anxiety and it 's symptoms.

Smith, Segal, and Segal (2014) note that CBT is the most widely-used therapy for anxiety disorders. The authors are also quick to note that anxiety disorders are and should be treated specifically, and that treatments should be individualized (Smith et al., 2014). This means that specific gendered concerns could be part of the individualization of a therapy. Smith and colleagues (2014) outline the process of treating anxiety with CBT as follows: negative thought challenging, exposure therapy, and complementary therapies like exercise, relaxation, biofeedback, and hypnosis. Regular exercise was also cited by DeMoor, Beem, Stubbe, Boomsma, and De Geus (2006) to decrease anxiety as it is associated with lower neuroticism, anxiety and depression, and higher extraversion and sensation seeking. Additionally, in combining cognition with behavioural activation, mind

In dealing with individuals that have taken The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), there might be a need for assistance and treatment for anxiety in their lives. Getting the individual to learn about anxiety to overcome anxiety will be essential to understanding the problem. The education aspect is significant in this situation, in assisting individuals dealing with anxiety, there are options for treatment. The first one Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is shown to be useful in the treatment of such things like panic disorder, phobias, and social anxiety disorder; Cognitive behavioral therapy reports negative patterns and distortions in the way we look at the world and ourselves. This treatment will be able to assist the individual in saying such negative ways we view ourselves. The second form of therapy in dealing with anxiety is learning relaxation skills,

Anxiety disorders characterize as a highly predominant discussion of all psychosomatic disorders and are certainly interfere with quality of life (Barrera & Norton, 2009). Many studies have suggested the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapies CBT for anxiety disorders. In particular, evidence supports group design GCBT for anxiety disorders can enhance treatment due to feedbacks from similar population clients. Notably, mental health experts claim that the similar effect sizes

The World Health Organization (2007) reported 14% of all people aged 16 to 85 years experienced a form of anxiety disorder. In Australia alone, 2.3 million Australian was diagnosed with 12-month anxiety disorder and the annual cost of anxiety disorders and other mental illness was estimated at 20 billion dollars (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). Given its prevalence, development for an effective psychotherapy treatment for anxiety disorder is imperative. Interpersonal distress is a possible causal and maintaining factor for anxiety disorder (Borkovec, Newman, Pincus, & Lytle, 2002), and as interpersonal psychotherapy therapy allows treatment the treatment for

NICE has not yet commissioned guidance for the two remaining anxiety disorders (social phobia and specific phobia) or for a closely linked condition that is common in primary care (hypochondriasis/severe health anxiety). However, the RCT findings for each of these disorders are very similar to those obtained in the four disorders that are currently covered by NICE guidance. In particular, for each disorder there are RCTs that show that CBT is: superior to no treatment5-9, superior to a similarly credible alternative psychosocial treatment5 7 10 11, and at least as effective as medication12-16. No other psychological treatment approach for these disorders has been supported in randomized controlled trials.

For my personal research project, I have chosen to research if Qigong can help reduce generalized anxiety. Anxiety is something I have struggled with over the years, but I was formally diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in July of 2017. Since being formally diagnosed, I have worked on finding ways to manage my anxiety. Through counseling and medication, I have reduced my anxiety tremendously. Even with this reduction of symptoms, I still struggle with my anxiety on a regular basis. I have been interested in finding alternative ways of managing my anxiety to add to my current treatments. In January of 2018, I was introduced to Qigong. I became very interested in Qigong and started to wonder how I could use it to impact my day-to-day

Despite how more effectively of method psychological treatment is for patients who suffer Social Anxiety Disorder, there are those who stand against psychological treatment, they shy away from professional help and instead turn to medication. Although medication may be very helpful and useful for the treatment of social anxiety disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy seems to be very effective and useful. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to reduce anxiety by eliminating beliefs or behaviors that help maintain the anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy has two components. The cognitive component helps people change thinking patterns that keep them from overcoming their fears.

Although there was no direct answer given to this question, it was interesting to hear other opinions about this topic especially with those who have had experience with this type of case and it did not result in separation anxiety disorder (SAD). In fact, it can produce the exact opposite and the person who moves around a lot due to military or foster care, for example, they can become resilient.