1. Anxiety Disorders & Treatment

2. Anxiety disorders are a class marked by feelings of excessive apprehension and anxiety
There are five main types: 1. Generalized anxiety disorder, 2. Phobic disorder, 3. OCD, 4. Panic disorder, and 5. PTSD
Most who develop one type, are likely to develop another, and studies show around 19% of the population are affected by these

3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD is marked by a chronic, high level of anxiety that is not tied to any specific threat
“Worry about yesterday’s mistakes and tomorrow’s problems.”
Affects 5-6% of the population, includes physical symptoms, and can be prevalent for the lifetime

4. Phobic Disorder
Phobic disorder is marked by a persistent and irrational fear of an object that presents no realistic danger
Mild phobias are common, but true phobic disorder interferes with daily life
Most common: acrophobia, claustrophobia, brontophobia, hyrdrophobia, animals/insects

5. Panic Disorder & Agoraphobia
A panic disorder is classified by recurrent attacks of overwhelming anxiety that usually occur suddenly
The expectation of the attack leads to the development of agoraphobia
Population affected is 2/3 women and usually happens in late adolescence and early adulthood

6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD is classified by persistent uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts (O) and urges to engage in senseless rituals (C)
Usually compulsions are matched with obsessions, e.g., worried about germs and cleaning ensues
Affects 2-3% of the population

7. OCD & Hoarding Hoarding has been put in the ‘spotlight’ lately
The hoarding, is the compulsion to the obsessions

8. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD involves enduring psychological attributed to the experience of a major event
First recognized as a disorder in the aftermath of the Vietnam War
Affects about 7% of population, prevalence is twice as high among women
Nightmares, flashbacks, emotional numbing, alienation, elevated anxiety and aggression
Number one indicator: strength of reaction to the stressful event

9. Biopsychosocial Approach
Biological: inherited differences in temperament and susceptibility to anxiety disorders (twin studies), sensitivity, GABA
Cognitive: acquired through learning and association, interpretation/perception
Social: social pressures, labels, social norms: ‘weakness’

10. Treatments
Biological: Medications, anti-anxiety, alcohol, valium, Xanax, Ativan
Cognitive: cognitive therapy, Rational emotive behavior therapy, client-centered therapy
Learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, desensitization
Social: Group therapy

11. Howie Mandel & OCD:
Marine and PTSD
Anti-anxiety meds & Fish