GAD

Question 1

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer 1

• anx is type fear, unpleasant increase in arousal- probably universal experience- although magnitude is very variable.
• universal biological category, cross-cultural, one of the basis emotions an adaptive response- improves reproduction/survival: increase arousal.

GAD- LT anx-about-everything (DSM: several months of anx about 1+ theme).

Question 2

Evolved fears

Answer 2

• dark, strangers- we do not learn these fears- we learn to overcome them.
• anx disorders may be more a failure to learn to overcome feats, rather than learning of fears.
• in modern life anx is very common, is it an example of evolutionary mismatch?

Question 3

GAD overlaps

Answer 3

-used just be term for anxiety or anx state, overlaps with Neuroticism & Neurotic Depression.

• Chronic unrealistic or excessive anxiety (about 2 or more themes)- for most of time & for several months).
• –NOT phobic, obsessive, hypochondriac or panic.
• person may have good reason for beign anxious, but the anx has become maladaptive, prevents them doing anything constructive.
• or else causal probs may be intractable.

-usually beings in childhood or adolescence & continues (comes/goes) throughout life.

Question 4

Epidemiology (varies)

Answer 4

USA 1 year prevalence >15% for all anx disorders.

x2 F v M.

Question 5

Treatment

Answer 5

1- Relaxation- esp self-hypno, learned muscle relax & supportive discussion, explanation, advice.

2- Cognitive-Behavioral- diff, no specific “entry point” for therapy to work on.

3- Drugs:

• -Alcohol (self-medication)- more dangerous than most drugs. Impairs cog function, performance, causes violence & accidents?
• -Bzs- e.g. Propranolol- peripheral effects- reduce heart rate, blood pressure– reduce feedback to brain, unpleasant in high doses.
• -Bzs- muscle relaxation, traq/calming.
• -SSRIs- emotional buffering/stabilizing- serenic agents.
• —–St John’s Wort- get similar effect?