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What is Anxiety?
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an uncontrollable and persistent state of negative feelings in regard to perceived future or current danger. It has physiological symptoms of tension and stress that are accompanied by a constant state of extreme vigilance. (Barlow, 2002) It affects almost 33% of the population at some point in their lives (Bandelow & Michaelis, 2015) and is a chronic condition for almost 10% of people at any given time. (Thibaut, 2017)
Types of Anxiety
Types of Anxiety
Anxiety is not a single disorder but rather a cluster of disorders that include:
Agoraphobia
Anxiety disorder due to a medical condition
Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Selective mutism
Separation anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
Specific phobias
Substance-induced anxiety disorder
Other specified anxiety disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder (Mayo Clinic, 2022)
Photo Retrieved From: The Lancet, 2021
Causes of Anxiety
Causes of Anxiety
There is no known cause for anxiety; it is influenced by genetic and environmental factors as well as by trauma and medical conditions. It usually first appears in childhood and affects children, adolescents, and adults. (Penninx et. al., 2021) Anxiety is known to involve brain circuit dysfunctions that occur in the amygdala, a part of the brain that controls the fear response in humans. The amygdala is activated by external factors, such as the expression on people’s faces, body language, frightening images, and conditions that trigger fears or past trauma that leads to a "fight or flight" response. (Ressler, 2010)
Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of Anxiety
Common symptoms of anxiety can be physiological or physical and may include:
Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Having an increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Having trouble sleeping
Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
Having difficulty controlling worry
Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety (Mayo Clinic, 2022)
Treatments for Anxiety
Treatments for Anxiety
The general consensus is that psychotherapy—especially cognitive behavioral therapies, trauma-informed therapies, and strengths-based therapies—is most effective. When these therapies are combined with psychotropic medications like serotonergic compounds, they yield good results. (Penninx, et. al., 2021) The preferred therapy model for this curriculum is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Trauma informed therapy:
The experience of trauma is widespread and universal (SAMHSA, 2014). It is prevalent across all populations worldwide and impacts everyone regardless of gender, socioeconomic standings, race, geography, culture or age (SAMHSA, 2014). Trauma occurs in both large and small scale ways i.e., as a result of abuse (both emotional & physical), violence, it can be caused by a neglectful parent or caregiver, war and various other emotionally detrimental experiences (SAMSHA, 2014). It is our belief that trauma informed therapy is a critical and vital component that compliments the delivery of effective group therapy practices.
Trauma can have a long lasting impact on a group member’s ability to manage their EMOTIONAL REGULATION (SAMHSA, 2014), a key component of DBT. In addition to utilizing the DBT approach. Facilitators can benefit from the following trauma informed principles (SAMHSA, 2014):
1. SAFETY
2. TRUST
3. PEER SUPPORT
4. MUTUALITY & COLLABORATION
5. EMPOWERING VOICES
6. CONSIDER CULTURAL, HISTORICAL AND GENDER ISSUES
For more information and resources on trauma informed therapy contact Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), www.samhsa.gov
Reference
SAMHSA. (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4884.pdf
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