Category: Anxiety

Anxiety as a concept may be further broken down into the intolerance of uncertainty and the cognitive avoidance aimed to prevent thinking about the uncertainty. It is common to think about anxiety as a response to specific triggers; for example, it is common to hear from people that flying gives them anxiety. What many fail to mention is that the uncertainty over what may and may not occur when flying. Thus, to repress and prevent negative emotions associated with the process of flying, a person will exhibit cognitive avoidance. Because the reasons for anxiety are not always well-defined or even understood by the person experiencing it, viewing it from a perspective of the intolerance to uncertainty could be beneficial for addressing the issue systematically rather than a combination of symptoms.

While it has been established that anxiety is a feeling of unease and fear associated with various triggers, it is crucial to break down the stereotype that it is the result of past trauma. This cliché is simply inaccurate; while for some people, anxiety can stem from trauma, it can be caused by multiple other things ranging from watching the news to speaking to a relative (Fielding). Understanding the reasons for anxietys occurrence is an individual matter that is usually addressed with the help of a skilled professional. Diminishing all reasons for anxiety to only one category could be counter-productive to its management and may be seen as simply disrespectful to individuals experiencing it. Instead of looking at anxiety as a mental response to trauma, it should be perceived as a challenge, the underlying triggers of which remain to be discovered for its improved management and mental well-being.

Work Cited

Fielding, Sarah. 7 Stereotypes About Anxiety  and Why They Dont Apply to Everyone. Healthline, 2021.

Abstract

The relationship between childhood attachment and adult anxiety is an essential aspect to analyze due to the many negative implications for physical and psychological health. The formation of specific behavioral habits at an early age is a factor affecting further cognitive development, and certain aspects of parenting increase the likelihood of disorders in children. In particular, through a literature review, the causes and negative aspects of childhood attachment are revealed, and the impact of this phenomenon on adulthood and is assessed. As a justification base, relevant and credible scholarly studies are applied. Negative parenting patterns, including the lack of attention from adults and neglecting childrens interests, are considered in terms of the key premises of psychological problems in adulthood. On this basis, emotional neglect and attachment are used as independent variables for research, and adult anxiety is utilized as a dependent one. The research question implies assessing the relationship between these variables, and the hypothesis is based on the confirmed effect of childhood attachment on adult anxiety and associated psychological disorders.

Problem Statement

Childhood attachment can be the result of severe psychological impairments in adulthood, and parenting aspects are largely those factors that stimulate specific disorders. According to Corcoran and McNulty (2018), parental neglect is a driver of emotional development difficulties in children, and the lack of attention is fraught with anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems in the future. This problem is of high importance due to the likelihood of disorders in those adults who experienced abuse, neglect, or excessive attachment in childhood. Corcoran and McNulty (2018) state that attachment has a significant impact on the formation of behavioral habits and is a direct factor associated with adults psychological distress. There are numerous academic studies on this topic, but understanding the problem is an essential aspect not only from a scholarly but also from a parental perspective. The analysis of relevant literature will be carried out, and the key prerequisites and consequences of adult anxiety will be considered through the prism of childhood attachment and emotional neglect. The relationship between childhood emotional trauma and the lack of attention will be analyzed in the context of the manifestations of psychological disorders in adulthood.

Literature Review

The analysis of academic literature on the proposed topic makes it possible to find unique ideas regarding the issue in question and draw conclusions about the key premises and manifestations of the problem. Simard, Moss, and Pascuzzo (2011) examine attachment styles and assess the potential causes of psychological disorders. The 15-year study follows the four attachment styles and determines reflective adult anxiety propensity (Simard et al., 2011). The authors use a group sample to determine how individual maladaptive patterns affect specific attachment patterns in children and adults (Simard et al., 2011). This approach provides detailed data on which drivers have the greatest impact on personal distress and which maladaptive aspects determine anxiety and other disorders in adulthood. The results of the study show that if a child experiences unmet needs, in the future, there is a high probability that his or her emotional perception will be disturbed (Simard et al., 2011). This outcome confirms the idea of the importance of parental involvement in childrens lives and will be considered in the research paper.

Another study conducted by Intrieri and Margentina (2019) aims to describe the relationship between attachment in childhood and anxiety in adulthood. The authors make an assumption that the role of anxiety seems to be determined by the type of attachment developed during childhood (Intrieri & Margentina, 2019). This argument is based on the application of the model of four categories determining the degree of attachment. The negative perception of the environment, which is formed in childhood, leaves an imprint on adulthood and may be expressed in anxiety, panic symptoms, and depressive conditions. As Intrieri and Margentina (2019) argue, attachment features are not always the key drivers for the development of psychological disorders, but such parental gaps as neglect and emotional distance are stimuli for anxiety in adulthood. As a result, adults responsibility is viewed as a crucial aspect of a childs psychophysical development and social adaptation, and this nuance will be taken into account in the proposed research.

Individual scholarly studies are devoted to assessing child attachment from the positive and negative sides. For instance, Rees (2007) analyzes this phenomenon in the context of healthy and unhealthy implications and notes a positive relationship between attachment and early childhood emotional regulation. However, as he or she grows up, a child adapts to society and should show more independence. Rees (2007) calls behavior unhealthy if children cannot overcome the boundaries of attachment and argues that a sharp violation of usual communication principles is fraught with stress and anxiety in older age. Schimmenti and Bifulco (2015) also assess psychological disorders caused by negative childhood experiences, but they focus on the lack of parental care as the reason for impairments. The authors note that antipathy and emotional neglect are dangerous factors that are fraught with the deviant perception of the environment in adulthood (Schimmenti & Bifulco, 2015). Thus, all the aforementioned researchers agree that negative parenting patterns and excessive attachment are drivers for the development of psychological disorders and anxiety.

Proposed Research Question and Hypothesis

To conduct credible and unbiased research, the relevant question will be posted as a background to work. It will be as follows: are excessive childhood attachment and the lack of parental care prerequisites for the development of anxiety and other psychological disorders in adulthood? As independent variables, the indicators of healthy and unhealthy attachment will be used, as well as the parameters of emotional neglect. Adult anxiety will be a dependent variable, and as additional criteria, psychological disorders can be assessed, for instance, stress and depression. Attachment indicators will be examined by comparing the information from the selected sample based on the data obtained through surveys of the target audience. To test the key dependent variable, digital correlations will be applied to identify specific implications in a statistical ratio. The research hypothesis will be as follows: excessive childhood attachment and parents emotional neglect are prerequisites for adult anxiety and psychological disorders, including stress and depression.

References

Corcoran, M., & McNulty, M. (2018). Examining the role of attachment in the relationship between childhood adversity, psychological distress and subjective well-being. Child Abuse & Neglect, 76, 297-309. Web.

Intrieri, R. C., & Margentina, S. J. (2019). Attachment and its relationship to anxiety sensitivity. Current Psychology, 38(1), 213-227. Web.

Rees, C. (2007). Childhood attachment. British Journal of General Practice, 57(544), 920-922. Web.

Schimmenti, A., & Bifulco, A. (2015). Linking lack of care in childhood to anxiety disorders in emerging adulthood: The role of attachment styles. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 20(1), 41-48. Web.

Simard, V., Moss, E., & Pascuzzo, K. (2011). Early maladaptive schemas and child and adult attachment: A 15year longitudinal study. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84(4), 349-366. Web.

Introduction

The article concerns the behavioral aspects of people who suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD) before they engage in a relationship. To investigate this subject, Rozen and Aderka (2022) conducted a study based on previous findings that state that people with SAD have more difficulties in developing and engaging in long-term relationships. More specifically, this study focuses on swiping decisions (simulating a dating app setting) made by participants with and without SAD.

Hypothesis

The first hypothesis of the study is that people with SAD are less likely to swipe right (accepting a candidate). The second hypothesis states that women would swipe right less frequently. The third hypothesis is that individuals without SAD would swipe right on smiling people more frequently than individuals with SAD. The fourth hypothesis states that individuals with SAD would seek less information on candidates. The fifth hypothesis claims that repeated exposure to pictures would affect people without SAD. The sixth hypothesis is that people with SAD would provide less happy pictures and short descriptions of themselves. The seventh hypothesis is that women would provide more joyful pictures than men.

Methods

The sample of the study included 40 participants with SAD and 40 without it, each of them identifying as heterosexual. 50% were men, 50% were women, and their ages ranged from 18 to 33. The study was conducted through self-reports on anxiety made by the participants, who then examined various pictures of potential interaction interests. For the sake of the results authenticity, the participants were led to believe that they would meet one of the presented candidates.

Findings

The findings show that individuals with SAD do not respond to affiliative cues (such as smiling) the same way as individuals without it. People with SAD were less likely to provide happy pictures and extensive self-descriptions and needed less information on the presented candidates. Women reacted more positively towards smiling pictures, but were generally more selective and cautious. Repeated exposure to pictures proved to be more efficient for the participants without SAD.

Importance of the Study

The research is of great importance for individuals with SAD, mostly in improving their social life. It shows the necessity of focusing on pre-meeting aspects of relationships in therapy, as well as possible applications of online tools in mental health studies. Several previous findings were linked to support the hypotheses, mainly those that identified biases related to SAD, such as information-seeking bias and avoidance tendencies. The article concludes that the amalgamation of biases can hinder a persons love life and further their anxiety and lack of self-worth.

Limitations

The study has several limitations which can muddle the obtained results. The study setting was not naturalistic, and therefore, it is possible that real-life aspects are different from the ones perceived in the article. The meeting part of the experiment would be beneficial to fully identify which biases have more impact on peoples interactions. In addition, it would be necessary to clarify to the participant the nature of the interaction (romantic or platonic) to avoid heightening anxiety.

Future Research

Future research can focus on other demographic factors that are relevant to the interaction realm. The subject of race and ethnicity could be explored to determine which biases are more prevalent for a specific race or ethnicity. In addition, a wider age range could be employed, for example, from 18 to 45. This would further the development of efficient therapeutic methods that focus on the building of confidence and self-worth for a broader spectrum of people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the given article provides a thorough insight into biases and their manifestation among people with social anxiety disorder. It shows that people with SAD are less likely to swipe right, are less responsive to social affiliation cues, and are prone to be reserved and unenthusiastic about receiving additional information. Women are more engaged in social affiliation; however, they tend to be more selective and cautious.

Reference

Rozen, N., & Aderka, I. M. (2022). Swipe right, swipe left: Initial interactions in social anxiety disorder. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 131(5), 435446.

Introduction

The three standardized tests identified and considered for the psychological assignment are; the Inventory of CallousUnemotional Traits (ICU), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) tests. The Inventory of CallousUnemotional Traits (ICU) is one of the copyright-protected 24-item surveys designed to offer a comprehensive assessment of callous traits that have proved to be unemotional. Such traits are always important in the designation of distinct subgroups of youths who have showcased antisocial and aggressive behaviors. On the other hand, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is a test that is utilized during the determination of the factor structure of a measure, hence, playing a key role in the affirmation of internal reliability in a psychological test. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) test is a statistical technique that is utilized during the verification of a set of observed variables in a study, and for cases such as the determination of family accommodation of childhood anxiety. The tests were performed on parent-child pairs, with children aged between 13 to 18 years.

Regarding the element of psychological condition that is being tested and justified in the experiments, child anxiety and emotional traits take concern and are within the standardization of the tests, since, the key participants are within the recommended ages. Hence, helping in analyzing the validity and reliability between the quality of life led by the children and the extent they are likely to suffer the same conditions.

Technical Review Article Summaries

Lebowitz, E. R., Marin, C. E., & Silverman, W. K. (2019). Measuring family accommodation of childhood anxiety: Confirmatory factor analysis, validity, and reliability of the parent and child family accommodation scaleanxiety. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 49(6), 752-760. Web.

The article deduces findings on family accommodation of childhood anxiety disorders. This has been a common phenomenon among households, where parents can even tend to change or manipulate their behavior in an attempt to avoid elevating anxiety among their children. However, the study has encountered a number of delimitations, hence, calling for further justification that could be confirmed through actual studies. This is evident because child anxiety is nominal in every household, to the extent that over 90% of mothers accommodate anxious children, with a good percentage proving that the same children showcase severe and worse anxiety conditions (Lebowitz, Marin, & Silverman, 2019).

With such matters attracting a lot of concerns within the family unit, several interventions have been put in place, and treatment of child anxiety is a common plausible cause to reducing child anxiety, hence, reducing accommodation. Therefore, the Family Accommodation Scale-Anxiety (FASA) in the accompaniment of the child-rated version was utilized as the unit of measurement of the condition. Both the explanatory and the confirmatory factor analyses were preferred for the test owing to the critical aspects associated with them. For instance, EFA was considered since it played a crucial role in the identification of theoretical concepts lying within a construct (Lebowitz, Marin, & Silverman, 2019).

Reciprocally, the study showed that CFA majors on the determination of whether the hypothesized models offer the desired data for the study objective or not. Collectively, the two tests are key in providing detailed information that will be used to deduce the internal validity of the study elements. Since the conception of FASA, there are about two successful measures for childhood anxiety, where the two families showed a high degree of consistency of the divergent and convergent validity, hence, proving to be justifiable by meeting all the desired standards. Using the Child and Parent version, the article showcases how test-retest reliability has been the applauded type of reliability following its excellent manipulation of outcomes commenced by expert personnel (Lebowitz, Marin, & Silverman, 2019). The findings in the article indicate that both convergent and divergent validity testing for FASA is positive. This is true since they show a high correlation between parent-child anxiety than any other parameter of determination, hence, proving its validity.

Ueno, K., Ackermann, K., Freitag, C. M., & Schwenck, C. (2021). Assessing callousunemotional traits in 6-to 18-year-olds: Reliability, validity, factor structure, and norms of the German version of the inventory of callousunemotional traits. Assessment, 28(2), 567-584. Web.

The article illustrates the reliability and validity of the multi-informant survey Inventor of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU). This determination was based on the confirmatory factor analysis where self, parent, and teacher report versions were utilized in the bid to acquire some basic norms of children and adolescents aged between 6 to 18 years of German origin (Ueno, Ackermann, Freitag, & Schwenck, 2021). Therefore, the article embraced the determination of the exploration of the ICU factor structure where a detailed comparison of various factor models, that could later be used to deduce the reliability of the study being considered.

The study involved 1,342 schoolchildren and adolescents recruited from 49 schools across the German federal state. The schools were identified through a random selection under the approval of the school directors. The schools were composed of primary, secondary, and vocational levels and all the participants were not considered for any kind of motivation or rather incentives. Some of the key measures considered in the study include the Observer Rating Scale for Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorders, where the parents and teachers were engaged in the provision of information used to determine oppositional disorder (Ueno, et al., 2021).

The second measure utilized in the study as indicated by the article is the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory where psychopathic traits in adolescents were addressed and scores determined. Lastly, the Inventory of CallousUnemotional Traits measure was utilized. In this measure, parent-teacher views were assessed regarding the observable unemotional and callous traits portrayed by adolescents aged 13 and above years. Upon the completion of data collection, analyses were commenced using the SPSS method. Findings indicated a recommendable rate of fitness of the parent-teacher report from the ICU had a good reliability rate attributed to an acceptable internal consistency, making it qualify as test-retest reliability (Ueno, et al., 2021). Therefore, the study found that there is a high positivity of correlation in all ICUs that positive parental and teacher association with children and adolescents plays an important role in the eradication of callous and unemotional traits and the reverse is true.

Conclusion

In summary, the two studies have proved their validity and reliability after meeting all the desired standards determination. For the case of accommodation of family accommodation of childhood anxiety, it is conclusive that there is a high degree of parent-children accommodation ratings depicted by the available child anxiety symptoms. A number of studies have pinned the relationship between parent-child anxiety and child-parent anxiety with no child-child anxiety, thus, implying a justifiable deduction of the validity and reliability of such associations.

On matters of callous-unemotional traits among children, it is evident from the study that there is a greater need to involve age and sex norms during the performance of both clinical and scientific determination of unemotional and callous traits. It is therefore deduced that ICU plays an important role in the determination of callous-unemotional traits. This implies that with the parameters in place, the CD can be used as a screener to identify children and adolescents that are at greater risk of future behavioral disorders, hence, giving lead ways to address such disorders.

Introduction

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and significantly affects the patients personal life, family, and work. People with generalized anxiety disorder feel excessive concerns about typical everyday activities. A generalized anxiety disorder differs from normal anxiety because the degree of disturbance is higher; it lasts longer and is frequently irrelevant to any particular topic. Thus, the afflictions epidemiology, causes, symptoms, and treatments should be explored.

The Epidemiology of the Disease

Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety condition, often combined with other mental and behavioral disturbances, complicating diagnosis. Generalized anxiety disorder affects 3.7% of the population worldwide. The disease is more prevalent in high-income countries (5.0%) than in low-income countries (1.6%). Most individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder are middle-aged, but symptoms can occur at any age (Rutter & Brown, 2017). Generalized anxiety disorder is twice as standard in females as in men. A global study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 51% of individuals with generalized anxiety disorder have severely impaired local functioning, affecting personal relationships and social life. On average, patients miss eight workdays per year due to the disorder (Rutter & Brown, 2017). People with generalized anxiety disorder have lower income and quality of life than healthy individuals.

The Reasons of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

It is essential to mention that the exact origin of this condition is still unknown, but experts have identified the main accelerants of the disease. This disorder often occurs in people who, under their character, are cautious. They are reserved, frequently re-examine everything before deciding, and attempt to avoid risky situations maximally. Females are in the risk group, as according to statistics, they have this disorder two times more often than males. Genetic prerequisites for GAD are observed in 30% of cases (Rutter & Brown, 2017). If relatives have this diagnosis, it can appear in the heirs under certain circumstances.

Provocative factors that can lead to the development of painful nervousness also include alcoholism, prolonged psychoactive substance use, or head trauma. The disease may also be caused by a sudden and acute stressful situation, such as the death of a family member and excessive demands from the environment. The condition is also based on the persons shifted focus of attention, concentrating on a probable threat. The consciousness is flooded with anxiety and does not permit adequate adaptation to the new circumstances of life. In generalized anxiety disorder, the preconditions are often associated with a negative psychosocial factor in the past; for example, education in conditions of hyper protection care or reception of solid emotional trauma in childhood (Rutter & Brown, 2017). The pathogenetic mechanisms of generalized anxiety disorder remain incompletely understood.

The Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Patients with generalized anxiety disorder experience anxiety most of the time. For instance, the person may worry about their work, home routine, or being late for a meeting. The person cannot control their feelings; if one anxiety disappears, the patient switches to worry about a second issue. In addition to excessive worries, patients with generalized anxiety disorder suffer from difficulty concentrating, feeling on edge, quick fatigue, and irritability (Huang & Zhao, 2020). Autonomic disturbances always accompany the anxiety: palpitations, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, shivering, sweating, feelings of heat or chills, and fluctuations in blood pressure. Often irritable bowel symptoms are added: abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (Huang & Zhao, 2020). If the serious condition of generalized anxiety disorder is severe, sleep and appetite are disrupted.

Due to the fact that somatic symptoms of anxiety are key in GAD, in the presence of somatic diseases, people suffering from this condition consult primary care physicians. They may emphasize somatic symptoms and sleep disturbances rather than excessive anxiety or psychological signs of distress (Huang & Zhao, 2020). Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can occur and persist throughout life because it is a chronic illness, and few people manage to resolve their symptoms completely.

The Diagnosis of the Illness

Generalized anxiety disorder develops gradually, which is why patients first begin to notice vegetative symptoms caused by mental stress. They consult internists, cardiologists, and neurologists, complaining of pain, chest discomfort or abdomen discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. By the time of referral to a psychiatrist, patients undergo many diagnostic procedures and symptomatic therapy by specialists of different profiles (Huang & Zhao, 2020). In order to make a diagnosis, the psychiatrist uses clinical methods of examination, such as interviews, observation, and history taking.

Generalized anxiety disorder is confirmed in the presence of these symptoms. The excessive concern and worry are related to several areas of life and have been present for six months or longer. At the same time, the physician establishes that the anxiety is uncontrollable, and the disturbances are combined with three or more signs and symptoms for six months or more (Huang & Zhao, 2020). The primary criterion in establishing a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is the subjective severity of the feelings or manifestations encountered.

Methods of Treatment

Patients with generalized anxiety disorder are indicated psychotherapy and medication correction of the emotional state. Hospitalization is unnecessary, and all therapeutic measures are performed on an outpatient basis. Among psychotherapeutic directions, rational psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, and breathing techniques are the most effective. It is significant to emphasize that by using rational psychotherapy, the specialist shapes the patients perception of anxiety as a natural reaction of the body, which has positive and negative functions Huang & Zhao, 2020). The psychotherapist stresses that all signs are reversible, which helps change attitudes toward possible future events and switch attention from alarm to events in the present.

At the same time, the professional assists in dealing with destructive thought patterns that affect perception, emotions, and behavior using cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Observing the process of thought formation, the emergence of anxiety and restlessness enables the patient to begin to control the disorders symptoms. Additionally, breathing techniques reduce the frequency and severity of autonomic feelings and bouts of heightened anxiety by teaching breathing techniques and muscle relaxation. Purposeful restoration of an even calm rhythm of inhalations and exhalations and conscious relaxation of all muscle groups Huang & Zhao, 2020). Therefore, it leads to a change in the emotional state; that is, anxiety decreases, and the person begins to perceive better what is occurring in the present moment.

The primary component of drug therapy for generalized anxiety disorder is tranquilizers. Medications in this group reduce manifestations of anxiety and eliminate emotional tension and fears. Benzodiazepine tranquilizers effectively relieve symptoms but have many side effects and, after withdrawal, may provoke a resumption of stress with greater severity Huang & Zhao, 2020). Additionally, antidepressants from the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used; they also have anxiolytic properties. Generalized anxiety disorder occurs in a chronic form, requiring long-term medication and psychotherapy.

Conclusion

Therefore, an anxiety disorder is a special psycho-emotional condition in which a person may experience feelings of worry under certain circumstances; anxiety arises for no apparent reason or aggravating factors. However, there are essential preconditions for stress, somatic diseases, or the reception of narcotic drugs and strong medications. The primary manifestation of generalized anxiety disorder is the presence of primary anxiety, which manifests as constant tension, apprehension, wariness, or inadequate anxiety. Breathing techniques and rational and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy are used for treatment.

References

Huang, Y., & Zhao, N. (2020). Generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 outbreak in China: A web-based cross-sectional survey. Psychiatry research, 288, 112954.

Rutter, L. A., & Brown, T. A. (2017). Psychometric properties of the generalized anxiety disorder scale-7 (GAD-7) in outpatients with anxiety and mood disorders. Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment, 39(1), 140-146.

Introduction

• Anxiety is a major challenge affecting most children and families in the UK.
• It is a condition where an individuals normal emotional wholesome changes at different stages or times in his/her life.
• It is closely related to fear.
• It is also connected with projected fear of something.
• Terms such as shy, nervous and among others describes the various levels of anxiety.
• It is difficult for a care giver to identify anxiety in a child. This owes to the fact that a child lack expressive skills to express his/her emotions. This makes some of them to develop defiant behaviors.
• In supporting anxiety in children, a care giver is important. He/she is able to assist a child cope up with the disorder through provision of effective coping strategies

A description of how the need could/should be identified using the latest research findings

• Research indicates that anxiety is a normal child development pattern; it is exhibited differently as the child grows older.
• Research also provides a clear intervention strategy through means such as; identification and treatment plans (Haworth & Hart, 2012). This approach has helped a child reduce the negative impact of anxiety disorder on a social functioning perspective.
• Research provides screening and assessment techniques for diagnosing anxiety among the children.

Need Based Screening and assessment

• Critical in supporting children with anxiety disorder.
• It helps a care giver differentiates developmental and transitory appropriate fears and worries of anxiety during evaluation process of a child (Connolly & Nanayakkara, 2009).
• A care giver assesses the impact of traumas on the maintenance of symptoms.
• It identifies fears such as; loud noises and normal separation in children. This is because children often experience fear of darkness and imaginary creatures and worries among other fears.
• Fears may have physical and psychological impact on the child growth and development.
• Using screening and assessment, the care giver assesses family background or history (Nauert, 2008). This assist him/her identify environmental, parenting styles and reinforcement triggers of anxiety in children.
• Self-reporting strategies for anxiety during assessment such as; Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorder, (SCARED) and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, (MASC) assist a care giver diagnose anxiety symptoms at baseline and monitor preventive responses in a child.

Measures to be undertaken to meet need based on actual treatment modalities

• To support children with this disorder, a care giver routinely screen a child for anxiety, collect information from the child, parent and teacher, assess for comorbid disorder and evaluate the functional and severity impairment (American Psychiatric Association, 2008).
• Information collected from the child helps a care giver assess severity of anxiety because the child herself/himself is more aware of his/her inner distress;
• Teachers are skilled at observing the social functioning in relation to same age group/peers; the information they provide is important in assessing the child level of anxiety.
• Parents stay with the child; thus, their information in regard to the child character is important for the care giver to assess the disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2008).
• To meet the modalities available in complimentary therapy, a care giver should begin with psychotherapy on a child showing signs of mild anxiety. On a child showing moderate anxiety, a care giver should combine medication treatment and psychotherapy (Brady & Kendall, 1992). This is also useful when treating comorbid disorder.

Conclusion

• Anxiety in a child is difficult to identify. This is because a child does not know how to express his/her feelings.
• When a child shows signs such as; being tense, shy, nervous, and cautious and worry, a care giver should initiate screening to determine anxiety symptoms. This is because early screening help decrease the medical interventions.
• Also, a care giver should assess somatic symptoms. This can help reduce confusion when a child is later subjected to medication.

References

American Psychiatric Association 1994, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC

Brady, E and Kendall, PC 1992, Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. Psychol Bull, Vol111. Pp. 244255.

Connolly, D and Nanayakkara, SD 2009, Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Web.

Haworth, J and Hart, G 2012, Wellbeing Individual, community and social perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan, London

Nauert, R 2008, Identify and Treat Child Anxiety Disorders. Web.

Nicolas, 27 years old, is a Hispanic male who reports three years of anxiety attacks. Thus, the complete diagnosis is F41.1 Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and this issue does not imply any specifiers or severity measures. However, it is possible to highlight additional conditions that can deserve clinical attention. It refers to Z codes, including Z60.3 Acculturation Difficulty and Z60.0 Phase of Life Problem because of Nicolass occupation.

A few specific symptoms demonstrate that the proposed diagnosis refers to Nicolas. The patient creports that he feels on edge since high school. Other complaints include difficulties focusing, sleep issues, and physical symptoms such as bloating and nausea. According to DSM-5, these four symptoms are sufficient to claim that Nicolas has a Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Shortness of breath and sweating also indicate that the proposed diagnosis can be applied to the patient.

A few differential diagnoses were considered before mentioning a Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Firstly, a Social Anxiety Disorder could also result in Nicolass problems, but this condition was eliminated because there were no signs that the client only experienced symptoms when speaking, writing, or performing in public (Morrison, 2014). Secondly, Anxiety due to Another Medical Condition does not refer to Nicolas because the patients physical health is not the primary source of concern.

Various instruments exist to assess the client and validate the diagnosis. For Nicolas, it is reasonable to use Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Sudhir et al., 2017). This instrument is appropriate for adults with anxiety symptoms, and clinicians should complete 14 statements about Nicolas to identify the clients condition. This approach is relevant because it implies that a professional social worker performs evaluation, which reduces the bias that exists when clients deal with self-assessment.

Finally, Nicolas needs a specific intervention to address the symptoms and mitigate their effect. According to Sudhir et al. (2017), the combination of metacognitive strategies and cognitive behavioral therapy is a suitable choice. The rationale behind this statement is that metacognitive strategies can help the client understand that it is not necessary to worry about aspects that are beyond his control. Simultaneously, cognitive behavioral therapy promotes relaxation and coping skills training to allow Nicolas to understand what he should do to mitigate a Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

References

Morrison, J. (2014). Diagnosis made easier: Principles and techniques for mental health clinicians (2^nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Sudhir, P. M., Rukmini, S., & Sharma, M. P. (2017). Combining metacognitive strategies with traditional cognitive behavior therapy in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A case illustration. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 39(2), 152-156.

Abstract

Despite the success of both cognitive-behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for the therapy of anxiety illnesses, the combination of these modalities in adults has not reached significant improvements in results relative to either approach. Consequently, there have been questions about whether there are interfering impacts that attenuate the magnitude of combination treatment importance. In this article, an accounting of the potential employment of the two therapy methods is introduced and whether they can be used to successfully conduct treatment and benefit a patient. Similarly, the research indicates the types of anxiety and their effects on particular individuals and their symptoms. The recent studies on the effects of mental disorders have further enabled the introduction of various methods of treating the disease. Furthermore, the implications of treatment methods and medical drugs on patients with mental disorders have further been discussed.

Introduction

Depression is normally witnessed as a fatal psychological issue that may be observed in individuals at various stages of life. It is characterized by moderate, severe, and mild deficiencies that impact a persons ability to finish their daily tasks. According to studies conducted by the National Institute of Mental Wellness, it is estimated that about 17.3 million grown-ups and 3.2 million youths have at least one significant depressive episode, with a high prevalence amongst women (Villabø et al., 2018). Consequently, numerous treatment options for patients suffering from depression have been established, and the decision relies on a myriad of aspects, comprising resources, personality, and expertise of the healthcare physician. In this paper, the focus will be put on psychopharmacology and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and how these two treatment methods can be utilized in depression management.

Background and Literature review

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorders, agoraphobia, and social anxiety disorder. In the United States, in every given year, adults have the following types of anxiety illness; panic disorders 2 to 3 percent, separation anxiety disorder 1 percent to 2 percent. Similarly, the numbers of grown-ups with agoraphobia are 2 percent, while social anxiety disorder is 7 percent, generalized anxiety disorders are at 2 percent, and the number with a specific phobia is between 7 to 9 percent (Villabø et al., 2018). The statistics show that women are more prone to experience anxiety disorders as compared to men. Individuals with this disorder tend to anticipate future occurrences. The muscles experience tension, and one tends to have a behavior of avoidance. It means that they tend to avoid situations that accelerate or trigger their symptoms.

If a person can be diagnosed with anxiety disorder, the symptoms, which include anxiety and fear, have to be hindering their normal functionality in day-to-day activities. Moreover, in generalized anxiety disorder, people show fear and worry in excess most days for at least six months. These symptoms significantly interfere with the patients daily livelihood (Salza et al., 2020). The symptoms include the following factors: having difficulty concentrating, being irritable, being easily fatigued, having muscle tension, feeling restless, difficulty with sleeping, and having difficulty with feelings control.

Problem

The main problem of the current research is the effectiveness of treating anxiety using psychopharmacology and cognitive-behavioral therapies. A panic occurrence is an abrupt instant of profound fear that attains its limit within a significantly short time. Persons with anxiety illnesses have numerous incidents of panic attacks that are unanticipated or, at times, instigated by a trigger. Panic attack signs and symptoms include; sweating, shortness of breath, palpitations, trembling, and feeling of being out of control of your situation (Salza et al., 2020). These people tend to be cautious of their situation and try to avoid situations, things, places, or even people they associate with panic attacks. These reflex actions cause much bigger problems in the future, for example, agoraphobia. A phobia is defined as intense fear and subsequent avoidance of a specific situation or object. This is not the normal fear that people experience (Salza et al., 2020). It is fear that is out of proportion that people with phobia show symptoms of taking steps to evade the objects or situations they fear; they are irrational and worry too much about facing those situations or objects.

Phobias can be categorized into various categories; first, specific phobias or simple phobias occur in people, and the individuals usually display fear of specific situations and objects, blood, heights, and specific animals, such as spiders or snakes.

Second, social anxiety disorders are known as social phobia before (Bandelow et al., 2017). These people have an intense fear of social gatherings or performances. These people constantly feel they are in the spotlight, and therefore they are prone to scrutiny. Therefore, they try by all means to avoid places with social gatherings. These places include even schools, workplaces, and religious grounds. Conversely, agoraphobia is a situation where people experience fear due to two or more of these situations; being in an open space, using public transport, being outside of the home alone, being in an enclosed space, or being in a crowd (Bandelow et al., 2017). In separation anxiety disorder, people experience a deep sense of fear of being parted from someone. It mostly occurs in children, but adults too suffer from this disorder. These people might even have nightmares of them being separated from the people they are attached to. When they are being parted with these people, they even experience physical symptoms.

Hypothesis

After conducting an assessment with patients diagnosed with depression, the results should be checked to determine the risk factors that cause anxiety illnesses. These aspects include both environmental and genetic. Different types of anxiety disorders have different risk factors, but there are common risk factors that apply to all. These factors include; a history of mental illness among the relatives, especially anxiety disorders, temper problems, physical health conditions for example thyroid problems and heart problems, some medications or substances that can also cause anxiety disorders, and childhood experiences that are related to a negative and stressful life may aggravate such disorders (Buckner et al., 2019). An anxiety disorder is diagnostic and entails the doctor performing a physical exam while taking records. The medical practitioner asks questions about the symptoms in detail to appropriately conduct a complete analysis. Furthermore, a blood test is also recommended in order to assess thyroid functions since hyperthyroidism causes almost similar symptoms (Buckner et al., 2019). Inquiry on the previous medications is also taken since some drugs cause anxiety symptoms. Some of these drugs include; cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and levodopa, a drug used in the management of Parkinsonism. Anxiety might also be an accompaniment symptom to some diseases, such as schizophrenia, systemic lupus erythematosus, or sleeping problems. It means that a physical exam is carried out first to eliminate any systemic disease before carrying out a psychological test.

Experiment

A psychological examination is conducted by a therapist to assess the patients condition. The evaluation includes inquiring whether the person has a family history of mental illness like depression and anxiety. The specialist asks about the symptoms, that is, when they began, what period they have lasted, how serious the symptoms get, how often they occur, if they had ever occurred before, whether they were treated and how often they were treated (Bajbouj et al., 2018). He or she should also ask how the symptoms affect the persons life. There are other psychological diseases that accompany this disorder. They include; eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. The specialist also inquires further to make sure there are no other psychological disorders that are affecting this person.

The evaluation can also be accompanied by an open-ended questionnaire. It helps to examine the severity of the symptoms or even the specific type of anxiety disorder the person is suffering from. Anxiety disorder symptoms might overlap with symptoms of other psychological disorders, thus causing differential diagnosis. The specialist is hence supposed to distinguish those symptoms in order for them to rule out the other differential diagnosis and remain with the ideal diagnosis (Bajbouj et al., 2018). There are situations where the anxiety disorder is accompanied by another psychological disorder. It means that more than one diagnosis is possible.

Data

According to a survey that I conducted among college students, the study results were satisfactory on the number of anxiety issues among young adults in contemporary society. The study was conducted among 40 participants, 20 male and 20 female, all of who were college students of different social and ethnic diversities. In one of the conclusions made from the survey, some students concluded that their anxiety was instigated by the pressure to be accepted by their friends who were from a different social status than theirs. Similarly, a small group had been bullied based on their ethnicity and social background. The incident significantly affected their mental health and even compelled them to shift from their former schools. Finally, a fraction of the students claimed that they are usually nervous whenever they are approaching their exams period. Some complained of developing fever whenever they approached their semester exams.

Results

Despite the issues faced by the students, most of them agreed to use psychopharmacology to treat their mental illnesses. From my survey, approximately 55 percent of the participants, both male and female, overwhelmingly supported the use of the treatment method. From the ratio, 30 percent admitted to their successful experience with the treatment, while the other 25 percent attested to having a relation who successfully underwent psychopharmacological therapy. Finally, 40 percent of the contributors stated that they had talked about their anxiety issues to their counselors, whereas 15 percent usually discussed their problems with their parents and guardians.

Discussion

Anxiety disorders can be treated in various ways depending on the patients choice. The common treatments used are cognitive behavioral therapy and psychopharmacology medications. They can be used together, or either can be used alone. Thus, anxiety disorders can be managed pharmacologically (Dunlop et al., 2019). Medications help relieve the symptoms of anxiety disorders. These medications are known as anti-anxiety drugs. These drugs include; antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers. Benzodiazepines are an old class of drugs that have been used for a long time to treat general anxiety disorder (Dunlop et al., 2019). They have the advantage of having a rapid onset of action, and a maximum effect is achieved within two weeks of treatment. However, patients experience high tolerance after using them for a long time.

This means that over some period of time, these patients may need an increment of the dose to achieve the desired effect. They also become dependent on these drugs so that when not taken, the patients experience withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, the specialist should prescribe small doses per time. When the patient and the doctor decide that the treatment is over, the doctor should not suddenly withdraw this treatment but rather do so progressively to avoid those withdrawal symptoms (Dunlop et al., 2019). Antidepressants are also another group of drugs used to treat anxiety disorders. They are commonly used to treat depression and usually take significant time to respond and display the desired results in patients. Particular classification of drugs is the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders. They are classified into serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These, too, have withdrawal symptoms when the patient suddenly stops taking them (Külz et al., 2019). Therefore, the doctor should ensure they withdraw it progressively.

There are other types of antidepressants that are less commonly used, like; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants. Beta-blockers, mostly used in the treatment of hypertension, are also used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. They help to relieve the physical symptoms that accompany anxiety disorders like trembling, rapid heartbeat, and blushing (Külz et al., 2019). Different drugs work differently on different people. Therefore, the patient and doctor need to work hand in hand to find a medication that works for them. This means that one may be required to use several medications before finding the right one. Therefore, patients may be required to show a huge sense of patience.

The other treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is a type of psychotherapy where the patient works hand in hand with a health counselor or a therapist in a way that the patient attends various scheduled sessions. The therapist is supposed to bring the patient to understand and be aware of negative thoughts so that he or she can couch them to deal with situations more effectively (White et al., 2017). It is the most preferred psychotherapy as it helps one point out and deals with challenges faster than other therapy. The therapist helps one unwind their thoughts and enables one to change their bad thoughts or behaviors. The sessions also equip one with positive ways of dealing with situations.

The types of CBT include exposure therapy, behavioral experiments, role-playing, guided discovery, journaling and thought records, cognitive restructuring or reframing, relaxation and stress reduction techniques, and activity scheduling and behavior activation. Some of the advantages of CBT are that it takes a short period, can be used where medications cannot, and it can be done in different formats like in groups (White et al., 2017). There are also some disadvantages like it might not be convenient for people with more complex disorders, it requires one to confront the anxiety itself, so at first, it might be triggering, it needs commitment, it deals with behavior change so if there are external problems like in the family, they might not be addressed.

Conclusion

Anxiety disorder is a mental disorder that should be addressed with the seriousness it requires. The illness has posed a significant challenge to a section of persons in the current society. Some of the victims are individuals in the community; some of them stay silent and live a traumatic life, while others are bold enough to seek treatment. Since the illness is treatable, people experiencing anxiety symptoms should seek medical treatment and work closely with the doctor to find the solution to it. These treatments should be observed keenly to note the side effects earlier rather than later to avoid irreversible situations. Furthermore, anxiety is both psychological and an overall medical concern that should be investigated further by experts to develop more appropriate ways that can be used to treat patients and regulate them.

References

Bajbouj, M., Aust, S., Spies, J., Herrera-Melendez, A.-L., Mayer, S. V., Peters, M., Plewnia, C., Fallgatter, A. J., Frase, L., & Normann, C. (2018). PsychotherapyPlus: Augmentation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in major depressive disorderstudy design and methodology of a multicenter double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 268(8), 797808.

Bandelow, B., Michaelis, S., & Wedekind, D. (2017). Treatment of anxiety disorders. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(2), 93. Web.

Buckner, J. D., Zvolensky, M. J., Ecker, A. H., Schmidt, N. B., Lewis, E. M., Paulus, D. J., Lopez-Gamundi, P., Crapanzano, K. A., & Bakhshaie, J. (2019). Integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for comorbid cannabis use and anxiety disorders: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 115, 3845.

Dunlop, B. W., LoParo, D., Kinkead, B., Mletzko-Crowe, T., Cole, S. P., Nemeroff, C. B., Mayberg, H. S., & Craighead, W. E. (2019). Benefits of sequentially adding cognitive-behavioral therapy or antidepressant medication for adults with nonremitting depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 176(4), 275286.

Külz, A. K., Landmann, S., Cludius, B., Rose, N., Heidenreich, T., Jelinek, L., Alsleben, H., Wahl, K., Philipsen, A., & Voderholzer, U. (2019). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in patients with obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) and residual symptoms after cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A randomized controlled trial. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 269(2), 223233.

Salza, A., Giusti, L., Ussorio, D., Casacchia, M., & Roncone, R. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) anxiety management and reasoning bias modification in young adults with anxiety disorders: A real-world study of a therapist-assisted computerized (TACCBT) program Vs.person-to-person group CBT. Internet Interventions, 19, 100305, 1097-2025. Web.

Villabø, M. A., Narayanan, M., Compton, S. N., Kendall, P. C., & Neumer, S.-P. (2018). Cognitivebehavioral therapy for youth anxiety: An effectiveness evaluation in community practice. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(9), 751.

White, L. K., Sequeira, S., Britton, J. C., Brotman, M. A., Gold, A. L., Berman, E., Towbin, K., Abend, R., Fox, N. A., & Bar-Haim, Y. (2017). Complementary features of attention bias modification therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in pediatric anxiety disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(8), 775784.

Humanity is fundamentally akin to social animals, and its survival depends upon connections made during its lifetime. They are essential for maintaining optimal mental and physical health at all ages. Therefore, social isolation and loneliness have tremendous effects on longevity, health, and well-being. The development of such conditions at old age may increase the risk for diabetes, cognitive decline, dementia, cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety (Weissbourd et al., 2021). At the same time, leading to a reduction in the lifespan and deterioration of the quality of life (Weissbourd et al., 2021). Older populations are especially prone to falling under the risk group due to the likelihood of experiencing life transitions and disruptive life events such as loss of close relatives, friends, or partners; retirement; disability; relocation of children, or migration.

However, the effects of social isolation and loneliness, particularly among the elderly, were overlooked social determinants of health and have recently become the subject of attention. These challenges have begun to be recognized as major public policy and public health issues in various nations. The COVID-19 epidemic and the resulting physical separation measures have raised the importance of these issues. In 2018, the UK government decided to appoint a loneliness minister whose objective is the implementation of measures to prevent social isolation. In response to the global pandemic, Japan chose to approach the issue in a similar fashion in 2021. In 2020, the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a consensus regarding the topic of isolation and possible solutions. Consequently, it is possible to argue that the issue is prevalent even among developed countries and has to be resolved internally via interventions in the health care system.

The pandemic caused major issues with loneliness in the USA as numerous people reported the experience of having such feelings. The issue is prevalent among young adults and often overlaps with depression and anxiety. According to Weissbourd et al. (2021), in October of 2020, 36% out of 950 survey respondents declared that they feel lonely constantly or frequently, and 37% responded that the feeling was occasional. In my opinion, the situation is currently undergoing improvement with the reduction of anti-COVID measures. Although to a certain degree, the effects of loneliness and social isolation could still be felt as prioritization of online services remained. Consequently, the countrys citizens might not be as lonely as they were during the pandemic, but some may continue to display the isolated behavior.

Improving public policies to mitigate social isolation in case of reoccurrence of quarantine measures is necessary. Public efforts aimed at raising awareness of the self-defeating beliefs and actions that contribute to and exacerbate loneliness may bring beneficial results (Weissbourd et al., 2021). People should be aware that loneliness frequently leads to excessive self-criticism, criticism of others, and the expectation of social failures and rejection (Weissbourd et al., 2021). They should be informed of the ways that allow them to regulate these attitudes and actions better. Simultaneously, short-term therapies that target cognitive distortions and help lonely individuals to reframe negative beliefs could be introduced.

Nevertheless, it can be understood that the quality of life among older adults who are susceptible to social isolation depends on the established bonds. It is possible to argue that their lifespan will deteriorate without proper management of social connections (old and new). Aging is the inevitable process of life, and it is interconnected with death and negative thoughts. It is necessary to properly educate the elderly on coping with the loneliness they might experience to promote a higher quality of life.

Reference

Weissbourd, R., Batanova, M., Lovison, V., and Torres E. (2021). Loneliness in America: How the pandemic has deepened an epidemic of loneliness and what we can do about it. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Web.

The presented case describes a woman named Angelina, a middle-aged woman living with her family. She has constantly been anxious and has had nightmares for the past six months after she had an abortion. This clients case suggests that she has a generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the case of Angelina, two assessment tools can be applied: the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) models. The SFBT model helps individuals focus on possible solutions rather than issues, which allows individuals to escape negative thinking patterns (Juby et al., 2022). CBT assessment model is useful because it allows the therapist to ask open-ended questions (Cognitive behavioral therapy, 2019). Overall, SFBT and CBT can improve her anxiety and PTSD symptoms as well as should ensure that the client perceives her current unfavorable life circumstances differently.

CBT can help Angelina retell her story to a counselor, while SFBT should assist in ensuring the client that something good will happen so that she stops constantly worrying. For example, the therapist can ask Angelina to describe what happened and how she feels about those events. Furthermore, during the SFBT sessions, the counselor may ask how the client would feel and what she would do differently if all her problems suddenly disappeared. It is essential to make sure that Angelina stops feeling guilty and starts engaging in exciting activities. This approach helps the patient to understand that their problems primarily stem from their thoughts and perceptions, which can be changed if one assumes that any issue has a potential solution. Finally, Angelina should realize that she is not responsible for everything her family thinks or feels about her decisions if it does not affect them directly.

References

Cognitive behavioral therapy. (2019). Psychology Tools. Web.

Juby, B., Moore, M., & Casabianca, S. S. (2022). What is solution-focused brief therapy? PsychCentral. Web.