...Advocating for Incorporation of Religion/Spirituality in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment Introduction Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), defined as worry lasting six months or longer that cannot be explained or rationalized by a precipitating traumatic event (Townsend, 2015), is the second most commonly diagnosed psychological disorder (Antai-Otong, 2003). Often presenting with other psychological conditions, the symptoms leading to impairment of the patient compound and increase the complexity of treatment (Antai-Otong, 2003). The standard method of care remains a combination of both pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions. However, research regarding the incorporation of the patient’s religious/spiritual beliefs into their course of treatment have demonstrated favorable results as an additional method of intervention (Antai-Otong, 2003; Koszycki, D., Bilodeau, C., Raab-Mayo, K., & Bradwejn, J., 2014; Ramos, K., Barrera, T., Stanley, M., & DeBakey, M., 2014;...
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...Introduction The biopsychologist will implement the biological approach to psychology in the attempt to study psychological diseases and disorders as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of individual’s suffering from such diseases and disorders. The following will include the analysis of the disorder known as Schizophrenia. The areas of brain affected, causal factors, associated symptoms, neural basis and appropriate drug therapies will be discussed. In addition, the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will also be examined. Both the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will be discussed for their relation to the nature-nurture issue and other appropriate theories of etiology. Possible drug therapies and alternative solutions will also be a focus of discussion. Part A: Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is undoubtedly one of the most complex psychiatric disorders of all time. A disorder which name defines the “splitting of psychic functions (Pinel, 2007, p.481)”, Schizophrenia often presents itself with a variety of characteristic symptoms including possible delusions, hallucinations, disorganized or incoherent speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior patterns and negative symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Social and occupational dysfunction often accompany these characteristic symptoms of Schizophrenia and the combination of function impairment and symptoms must persist in duration for a period...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Analyzing Psychological Disorders Jessica Champion PSY/ 240 Mrs. Barbara Burt Axia University of Phoenix College Analyzing Psychological Disorders Introduction A biopsychologist will execute a biological approach to psychology in the endeavor to study psychological diseases and disorders, in addition to in the diagnosis and treatment of individual’s anguish from diseases and disorders. The subsequent will consist of the psychoanalysis of the disorder identified as Schizophrenia. As for the areas of brain affected, contributory factors, related symptoms, the neural origin, and suitable drug therapies will be discussed. Additionally, the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will also be examined. Therefore the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will be discussed for their relation to the nature-nurture issue and other appropriate theories of etiology. Possible drug therapies and alternative solutions will also be a focus of discussion. Part A: Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is indubitably one of the most intricate psychiatric disorders of all time. It is a disorder which name defines the “splitting of psychic functions (Pinel, 2007, p.481)”, Schizophrenia habitually presents itself with a multiplicity of attribute symptoms including hallucinations, possible delusions, disorganized ,grossly disorganized, incoherent...
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...Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What it is, how it works, and what treatments are available My mother is the only person who always understands how I’m feeling, and she knows just what to say to ease my suffering. As a kid it seemed like I was just a little more sensitive and cautious than the other kids, but either way I still would tend to feel like I didn’t belong some days. When I was fourteen I visited a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD); at the time I had no idea what the words she was saying to me even meant. That was the day that my mother revealed to me that she also suffers from GAD. It is difficult for people without anxiety disorders to understand how constant the anxious feelings really are and that they can escalate to become much more severe than any normal anxiety. I’ve been knowingly living with GAD for four years now and I have many questions about it that have yet to be answered. Considering my mother and I both suffer from this disorder, I want to know if it could possibly be genetic or if I was simple conditioned to it from observing her. I also am curious about what happens in the brain of someone who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and how it causes the symptoms. Most importantly I want to find information on possible treatments that would not only allow me to deal with my anxiety in a way that will better my life, but also I need to know how I can help my mother because seeing her deal with this disorder and...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders 3/8/2013 Psy/240 Dr. Elizabeth Kindell Biopsychology is the study of the central nervous system and how it affects mental health or illness. In this paper I will discuss the psychological disorder known as Schizophrenia. I will evaluate the brain areas that are affected by this disorder, some of the possible casual factors, the characteristics symptoms, the neural basis and the drug treatment that works. The case studies I have chosen to review are Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa, the eating disorder. I will use the nature vs. nurture theories to analyze these two disorders. I will also discuss the accepted drug therapies and alternative treatment for these two disorders. Part A: Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is known as a “splitting of psychic functions” (Pinel 2001, pg. 467). It is a chronic brain disorder that affects close to 2.5 million Americans and more than 24 million people worldwide. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard for the person suffering to tell the difference between what is real and not real. They have a difficult time having normal emotional responses and acting normally in social situations. A person that has Schizophrenia has a significant loss of brain gray matter. Neuroscientist have detected up to 25% loss of brain...
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...psychological disorders and their causes is very recent, despite the anguish it has brought to people since the beginning of time. One of the most prevalent disorders is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, as of 2015, “GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population. . .” The causes of this and other anxiety disorders is an ongoing debate between psychologists, known as the nature versus nurture debate. Nature refers to one’s hereditary predisposition, meaning the genes passed down from your parents. Anxiety has been proven to be passed down from parent to child, but some psychologists argue that these genes do not become active until stimulated by some external event, such as the loss of a loved one, or another major life trauma. These external events and how one is raised is referred to as “nurture.” Because of this hand-in-hand relationship, generalized anxiety disorder stems from the coherence of one’s genetic predisposition as well as their environment and traumas they experience in their lifetime. The acceptance of this conclusion between psychologists and physicians will lead to the development of more targeting treatments and will give patients the peace of mind in knowing that their disorder is not because they have done something wrong. Generalized apprehensiveness disorder is characterized by sedulously assiduous, exorbitant, and fictitious worry about everyday things. People with the disorder, which...
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...Mental Illness: General Anxiety Disorder Kirsten Wolf HCA/240 November 22, 2015 Toni Parolisi Mental Illness: General Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder, also known as GAD, affects 5% of Americans in their lifetime, which is about 18% of American Adults per year. Someone who has GAD, has a chemical imbalance in their brain. The chemicals that are in our brain are called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are what communicate information throughout our brain and bodies. The neurotransmitters that are targeted in anxiety are called gamm-aminobietyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. The exact cause of generalized anxiety disorder is not completely understood. However, scientists believe that it’s because of genetics and other risk factors. These other risk factors are based on someone’s mood and if they are female. Someone who is constantly negative or avoids anything that might put them in danger or get them in trouble may have anxiety. Being female is a risk factor because more women are diagnosed with GAD more often than men. The symptoms for generalized anxiety disorder vary depending on the person. Someone who has GAD, are constantly worrying about small or large things, throwing them out of proportion. They have a hard time trying to relax because they have the constant feeling of being on edge. They fear of making the wrong decision and find a possible negative outcome in everything. They also experience physical problems, as...
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...Robin culver Liberty University Dr. Debra McIvor 646 Psychopathology and Counseling April 5, 2015 Case Study 1 I. Key Issues A. 1. Long bouts of worrying, lasting for long period of time. 2. More worrying days than not. 3. Now interfering with work. 4. Friends and family are complaining and notice severe changes in his personality. 5. The worrying is now affecting his health in negative ways. B. I have a positive outlook for Donald’s treatment. Even though the anxiety has been affecting him for years, he has been dealing with it on his own. Without medication or counseling, so treatment should not be outrageous, or debilitating. II. Diagnostic Impressions A. Donald’s disorder would be categorized under anxiety disorders. I believe he has generalized anxiety disorder. I give this diagnosis because, the anxiety has been lasting over 6 months, he does not have control over the anxiety, and he is anxious or worried all of, or most of the time. These are all classic symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. For the diagnosis, I considered depressive disorder. Even though the symptoms are similar, they are not the same. He does have recurrent thoughts of death, but they are for other people not him, he does not think about dying, he worries about things happening to his loved ones. Also he may be unable to perform his duties at work as assigned, but he does manage to get up and go to work, and has been able to keep his job year, after year. His depression...
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...paper on Anxiety Disorder Jeffrey S. Fletcher, M.A. Kathleen B. Stinger Psychopathology and Counseling, Coun 656 4, May 2014 Author Note Jeffrey S. Fletcher, Student, Liberty University. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Jeffrey S. Fletcher, Jfletcher1@liberty.edu Abstract This research paper is designed to review articles and books of professional journals in anxiety disorders, definition of anxiety disorder, review of current and past treatments of anxiety disorders, the new section and changes to anxiety disorder in the DSM-5, new treatments for anxiety disorders and medications for anxiety disorders. This paper will show spiritual considerations for treating anxiety disorders and how religion can improve one’s condition. It will show how CBT treatment of anxiety disorders have not been very successful and how medication has its limitations in treatment of anxiety disorders. This paper will also show what this clinician has learned and will take forward into the daily practice of treating adolescents with anxiety disorders. Keywords: anxiety, anxiety disorders, DSM-5, treatment Introduction When we talk about anxiety we have to distinguish between healthy anxiety or normal anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is normal to have a certain amount of anxiety for instance when one is in danger it is normal to become anxious. To have an anxiety disorder your anxiety would have to interfere with your life in a negative way. Anxiety and fear...
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...Depression and Anxiety: Two Prevalent Disorders Steve Davis PSY/203 06/15/2015 Belky Schwartz Depression and Anxiety: Two Prevalent Disorders Of the major categories of mental illness, mood disorders and anxiety disorders seem to be the most prevalent. Mental illnesses, like physical illnesses come in a wide range of severity. Millions of Americans suffer from mental disorders in any given year, however, very few actually seek treatment. The statistic most often quoted states that one in four adults will experience a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Stigma associated with mental disorders is still the leading reason people do not seek or retain treatment. Mental disorders are quite common, they are real and they are treatable. Out of the five major categories of mental illnesses, mood disorders and anxiety disorders are the most common. Of these two categories, I will cover Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), also called Clinical Depression, which is a mood disorder. And from the Anxiety Disorder category, I will cover Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) Depression is a normal human condition to an extent, but when do normal feelings of sadness, grief, or feeling “down in the dumps” become an illness? According to the Encyclopedia of Counseling, (Leong, 2008), there are two primary diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). These two diagnostic criteria are depressed mood and a loss of interest...
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...experienced some sort of anxiety feeling before an important event, such as an important exam, going on the 1st date, going on the roller coaster for the 1st time, and etc. during their lifetime. When this anxiety start to be an overwhelming thought in a person’s mind and causes nightmares, fears, and panic attacks, it becomes an illness, called anxiety disorder. It is the fear, apprehension, and often the expectation of unspecified danger. It is considered a normal natural response used everyday to figure out whether a situation is dangerous or not. How to differentiate a normal anxiety form an abnormal disorder: The intensity of the anxiety; whether or not the anxiety matches the circumstance. The length of the anxiety is inappropriate to what is causing the anxiety. Adequately respond to make a decision in what to do in that our body has alarm us to some danger. Anxiety is a total normal thing and is experienced daily. But when you have consistent anxiety you should start to worry. Anxiety is a reaction to stressful situations that helps rather than hinders daily functions. If we didn’t have anxiety we wouldn’t be motivated to do certain things in life that could be a good accomplishment or help us out. Anxiety Disorder is defined as the occurrence of anxiety without obvious external cause, intruding on daily functioning. Now I will discuss Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the experience of long-term anxiety with no explanation. Symptoms...
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...brief overview of evidence based psychological treatments for anxiety disorders. It addresses the following questions: • How common are anxiety disorders? • What psychological treatments have empirical support? • What recovery rates can be achieved with these treatments? • How enduring are their effects? • Is there value in combining psychological treatments with medication? Psychological treatments can be delivered in a variety of formats. This paper restricts itself to the traditional, and most extensively researched, format of face-to-face contact with a fully qualified therapist. For most anxiety disorders the therapy sessions are once weekly for 60-90 minutes spread over a period of 8-20 weeks, with homework assignments in between. However, in specific phobias, the strongest outcomes have been obtained with a single, long (3-5 hour) session with a therapist, followed by a briefer follow-up session a week or so later. 2. How common are anxiety disorders? The most recent British Psychiatric Morbidity Survey1 estimates that 16.4% of the population have a diagnosable anxiety and/or depressive disorder. The diagnostic system that was used in the survey (ICD-10) is different from the diagnostic system (DSM-IV) that has been used in most trials of psychological treatments. For this reason, it is difficult to be precise about the number of individuals in the UK who have anxiety disorders for which there is an evidence based psychological treatment...
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...Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders are a group of relatively common psychological problems, which used to be known collectively as neuroses. The main psychological feature of anxiety disorders is the unhappiness, the tension, and the excessive anxiety believed by their sufferers. Except for their symptomatic behavior individuals with anxiety disorders usually respond appropriately to their surroundings, both cognitively, and emotionally. They are aware that something is wrong, but they are generally able to cope without hospitalization. Their main characteristic is what mental health professionals may call personal distress. The most common anxiety disorders are phobic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (Phillipchalk & McConnell, 1994). The less common are panic and obsessive-compulsive. These will be discussing ahead next to its causes, symptoms, and treatments according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) recommendations. Each anxiety disorder has different symptoms, but can alter the life of the individual who suffers those. It is possible to have more than one type of anxiety disorder at the same time or simultaneously. Individuals can also have an anxiety disorder with other mental health problems like depression and substance abuse among others. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder is much more...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Michelle Newland Psy240: The Brain, the Body, and the Mind November 24, 2009 Analyzing Psychological Disorders I want to take this time to thank you for the opportunity and for this interview. I learned so much while I was in school but I realize that I still have more to learn. I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you and for you and to be able to continue to learn. I once again appreciate the opportunity to show you what I have learned about schizophrenia as well as the opportunity to review two case studies that you have presented me with. I am confident that I can live up to your expectations. There are many different forms of psychological disorders. These disorders can, and do, range from simple common phobias to schizophrenia. These would be considered a disorder of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions (Pinel, 2006). These disorders are labeled in accordance to the predominant features (Heffner, 1999-2003). Schizophrenia is caused by the splitting of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functions of the brain. The symptoms vary for those who have been diagnosed as being schizophrenic. Some of the symptoms would be: hallucinations, difficulty paying attention, thought pattern in disarray, delusions, catatonia, and “word salad” (Pawlik-Kienlen, 2007). To better...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Final Assignment Week 9 I would like to start off by thanking you for your time and consideration and giving me the opportunity to meet with you. I would love the opportunity to work with you in your clinic and continue to gain knowledge and learn. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to present to you my knowledge on this particular disorder, schizophrenia as well as the chance to review the two case studies that you have allowed me to review. I am sure I can provide the information you are looking for in a professional manner. To begin, there are many different types of psychological disorders and they are all somewhat the same but also very different. A mental disorder can range from something that slightly disrupts a person’s life, for instance a mild case of anxiety all the way to something as grim as schizophrenia. These disorders affect each aspect of our lives to include cognitive, emotional, and behavioral roles. (Pinel, 2006). Schizophrenia and mental disorders in general are characterized by disturbances of mental functioning, analogous to disturbances of bodily functioning. (Press, 2010) The symptoms vary for those who have been diagnosed as being schizophrenic, as with anything each case will be different in severity. There are two different types of symptoms which are positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms do include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech and inappropriate affect. Negative...
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