Understanding Biological Factors and Classical Conditioning in Anxiety

Limbic System and Anxiety

• The amygdala is a key component of the limbic system involved in processing anxiety.

Conditioning Concepts

• Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally elicits a response without prior conditioning.
• Unconditioned Response (UR): A reflexive reaction that occurs automatically in response to an unconditioned stimulus.
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, evokes a new response.

Interoceptive Conditioning

• Interoceptive conditioning refers to the process where internal bodily sensations become associated with panic through conditioning.

Panic Attacks and Disorders

• Panic attacks can be triggered by a variety of stressors, such as environmental factors, traumatic events, or specific thoughts.

Anxiety Sensitivity

• Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of anxiety-related sensations and can contribute to panic disorders.

Cognitive Contributions to Panic Disorder

• Catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily sensations can lead to increased anxiety and panic.

Causes of Panic Disorder

• Genetic factors, environmental stressors, and previous trauma may increase the likelihood of developing panic disorder.

Phobias

• Blood-injury-injection phobia typically has an onset age during childhood or adolescence.
• Situational phobias are triggered by specific situations (e.g., flying), whereas animal phobias are triggered by animals or insects.

Treatment Approaches for Phobias

• Systematic desensitization helps individuals gradually face their fears in a controlled manner to reduce phobia-related anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Cognitive biases associated with GAD often include overestimating danger and an increased focus on potential threats.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• The primary treatment for OCD is a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• The main symptom of PTSD is intrusive memories related to the traumatic event.
• Women are more likely to develop PTSD compared to men, with prevalence rates being approximately twice as high.

Biological Vulnerability and Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

• A potential generalized biological vulnerability for anxiety disorders can include inherited traits related to temperament.
• The main treatment approach for PTSD often involves trauma-focused psychotherapy, such as cognitive processing therapy or exposure therapy.