Lesson 11 and 12 applying a biopsychosocial framework to anxiety disorder

Lesson 11 & 12:

Applying a Biopsychosocial Framework to

Anxiety Disorder

Monday, 3 September 2012

No exam question because just had SAC :)


WHAT ARE YOU SCARED

OF .....


Snakes

Spiders

Heights

Small places


Anxiety Disorders

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Panic Disorder

Phobic Disorder

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Axis I

Feelings of extreme apprehension, fear, stress and unease


We will be focusing on Simple Phobia for our studies

Simple Phobia - also known as specific phobia is the fear of a

single specific object or event that triggers a panic response


Woman with a Chicken Phobia


Man with peaches phobia


Agoraphobia


Age of Onset

Generally develop in childhood and

eventually disappear


Applying Biopsychosocial Model to Anxiety

Biological

Psychological

Social


Biological FactorsAmygdala:

Critical role in anxiety and fear

Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA): GABA reduces feelings of anxiety. Low level GABA

levels -> higher levels of anxiety.

Stress Response: Fear elicits a strong

stress response (flight or fight)

Genetic Predisposition: Amygdala, neurotransmitters and stress response can be inherited leading to predisposition to

phobiasMonday, 3 September 2012

Biological Treatments

Involve medications - particularly targeting

GABA


Neurotransmitter - GABA


GABA in ACTION


Valium - GABA targeted


Psychological Factors

BehaviouralPhobias are a

result of environmental

factors through classical and

operant conditioning

CognitivePhobias based on our thought processes and

feelings

PerceptualPhobias unresolved

conflicts linked with oedipal and electra complexes in phalic stage of personality development (Freud)


Psychological TreatmentsClassical & Operant

Conditioning- pairing positive

experiences with stimuli to extinguish the fear

Systematic Desensitisation- Counter conditioning (reverse classical conditioning) which weakens association

between the CS and CS by slowing exposing person to feared stimuli

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

- As like classical and operant, but with thought

processes

Unconscious (hypnosis)- uncovering what the ‘symbols’ really mean

FloodingExposure for prolonged

periods to anxiety causing stimuli


Social Factors

Observational learning - parent fears = child fears

Cultural factors - Non religious people fear death,

however those that believe in heaven do not


Social Treatments

Linked closely with psychological treatments

Focus on questioning thinking about stimuli

Counter-conditioning


Best to use aspects from all areas!!!!

BioPsychoSocial


Essential Learning Activities

Activity 1: Create a Triple Bubble Concept Map of the Biopsychosocial Model of

Anxiety

Activity 2:Construct a mind map that describes the psychotherapies for simple

phobia (CBT, Systematic Desensitisation & Flooding) include strengths and limitations of each method

Activity 3:Choose one of the simple phobias listed below. Using systematic

desensitisation, outline the steps involved in the treatment of your phobia

i. spidersii. heights

iii. public placesMonday, 3 September 2012

Health & Medicine

Lesson 11 and 12 applying a biopsychosocial framework to anxiety disorder