ANXIETY, THE DIFFERENT TREATMENTS FROM A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS POINT OF VIEW

Anxiety, the different treatments from the clinical psychologist's point of view

Abstract

The present study is attempting to examine causal relationships among changes in certain thoughts, dysfunctional attitudes, and depressive symptoms. In 12-week a group with cognitive behavior therapy (GCBT) program for anxiety were observed and then study was done. (1) GCBT reduces negative cognitions; (2) changes in certain thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes lead to change in depressive symptoms; and (3) certain thoughts play mediating role between dysfunctional attitudes and anxiety . The findings taken as a support for Causal Cognition Model of anxiety .

Anxiety, the different treatments from the clinical psychologist's point of view

Anxiety, which can also refer to syndrome, is mood response to an internal threat that could be expectation of an external threat. this is an emotional response that is out of proportion with any genuine threat found in environment. Furthermore, instead of being directed towards current stimulus, anxiety is associated with anticipation of future problem. Anxiety differs from fear in that fea r is response to an immediate external, genuine threat. (Bell 1999)

Physiologically, symptoms of anxiety accord to those for fear, including nausea, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and increased heart rate-- typical fight-or-flight response; yet when there is no genuine danger in environment, these symptoms can be extremely aversive and stressful for individual. (Watson 2006)

What causes anxiety?

There is no one cause for anxiety. this varies from individual to person. For some people anxiety begins after long period of stress that has gradually built up. Other people may feel they are not in control of certain aspects of their life, and may develop general anxiety about future. Some people may have experienced stressful life events in past and become anxious about encountering similar experiences in future. Some people appear to have genetic predisposition towards anxiety; certainly there is an increased risk of developing anxiety problems if there is family history of anxiety. (Neighbors 2000)

There is also evidence that anxiety problems can be caused by physical factors such as over-activity of thyroid gland that controls many bodily functions. Anxiety can also be caused as side-effect of certain drugs including commonly prescribed antidepressants. Anxiety is also common symptom of withdrawal effects from benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium. Use of recreational drugs can furthermore trigger episodes of anxiety. Some people experience many of physical effects of anxiety because of involuntary rapid, shallow breathing, called hyperventilation or over-breathing. Hyperventilation can trigger panic attacks; episodes of severe and sudden anxiety that can make people feel like they are having heart attack or similar condition.

Anxiety treatments

Talking treatments alone can be effective in treating anxiety for some people, for others combination of talking treatments and drug treatment may be most effective treatment. Talking treatments aim to help people recognise stress factors in their lives, and work out coping strategies in order to be able to deal with these. Abroad kind of conversing treatments are available, extending from counselling and psychotherapy to cognitive behaviour ...