10.3 Anxiety disorders

• A diffuse, vague feeling of fear and apprehension
• Everyone experience it
• It is a problem when it is irrational, uncontrollable and disruptive
• The primary disturbance is distressing, persistent anxiety, or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

• More or less constant worry about many issues that seriously interferes with functioning.
• Affects about 5% of people at some time in their lives
• Physical symptoms: headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, irritability
• Has some genetic component

• Related genetically to major depression and childhood trauma

  Genetic predisposition or childhood trauma → Hyper-vigilance → GAD

Phobias

• Classical conditioning theory: you got bite by a dog. You become afraid of dog.
• Preparedness theory: you are psychologically “ready” to be afraid of something (often associated with ancestral environment)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Obsessions are irrational, disturbing thoughts
• Compulsions are repetitive actions performed to alleviate obsessions
• drugs that reduce serotonin may often help treat people with OCD