GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD) Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
- A type of anxiety disorder characterised by excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life–typically lasting for at least 6 months. Symptoms of GAD may cause signficant distress or impairments to functoning.
Name 2 cognitive (thought-related) symptoms of GAD?
- Worry (persistent and excessive)
- Reduced concentration/ mind going blank
Name 2 somatic symptoms (physical responses) of GAD?
- Muscle tension and aches
- Stomach discomfort (nausea)
- Autonomic responses- palpitation, sweating, dry mouth.
Name 2 psychological symptoms of GAD?
- Irritability and mood swings
- persistent nervousness
Name 2 behavioural symptoms (actions and habits) of GAD?
- Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety
- Seeking reassurance from others frequently
How can you explain GAD via Mowrer’s 2 process model (behavioural explanation)?
- Classical conditioning- anxiety develops through association (public spaces with anxiety)
- Operant conditioning- Anxiety is maintained through avoidance of feared situation (public spaces), which reduces anxiety, reinforcing the fear. (negative reinforcement)
Neg reinforcement- strengthing of a behaviour because it avoids an unpleasant sitiuation.
What would be a biological treatment for GAD?
- Low GABA - benzodiazepines (Xanax) enhance GABA
- Low serotonin- SSRI’s enhances effect of serotonin (sertraline)
- Overactive locus coeruleus (brain’s noradrenaline center- beta-blockers (propranolol) block noradrenaline effects
benzodiazepines like Valium enhance GABA to reduce anxiety).
What would be a pychological treatment for GAD?
- CBT
(why)
1. Helps challenge and reframe irrational thoughts/ distortions.
2. Develop coping strategies
3. Reduce avoidance behaviours.
Effectiveness: Highly effective, longer-lasting than medication
What are some biological explanations for GAD?
- Genetic predispositions- Anxiety disorders have a 30-50% genetic contribution (twin/family studies). Multiple genes interact together to increase suceptability (5HTTTLPR- / COMT GENE
- Neurotransmitter Imbalances- GABA (brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter), Serotonin (regulates mood, emotions, stress) Noradrenaline (activates sympathetic nervous system).
- Brain structures (hyperactive amygdala)
What is the ICD criteria for GAD?
- Generalised- anxiety is generalised and persistent- not restricted to any particular enviromental circumstances.
- Impaired functioning- symptoms cause signficant distress/ impairment in important areas of functioning (social, occupational)
- 6 month period- Symptoms manifest for a period of at least 6 months (tension, worry,)
Mnemonic for remembering symptoms for GAD?
WORRY WART
W- worry (pesistent/ excessive)
O- On edge
R- restlesness
R- reduced concentration
Y- Yawning/ fatigue (sleep disturbance)
W- worried about many thinks (generalsied)
A- Autonomic symptoms (heart palpitations, sweating, dry mouth)
R- Ridigd muscle/ muscle tension
T- Trembling
