Anxiety and Related Disorders (Coursework Sample)

Anxiety and Related Disorders
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Anxiety and Related Disorders
Anxiety disorders are mental disorders arising from excessive or persistent anxiety, fear, and behavior disturbances. The disorders include social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, selective mutism, and substance or medication-induced anxiety disorder (APA, 2013). Separation anxiety develops from the excessive fear of separation from an attachment figure during childhood and even in other later developmental stages. Social disorder symptoms include avoidance of social interactions perceived to cause humiliation, rejection, and embarrassment. Symptoms of panic attacks include avoidance of unfamiliar locations and a surge of intense fear or discomfort. Symptoms of agoraphobia include avoidance of open, crowded, or enclosed spaces. Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, and poor concentration. Lastly, an individual is diagnosed with substance or medication anxiety if they experience anxiety due to medication treatment, withdrawal, or substance intoxication (APA, 2013).
The most effective evidence-based treatment for anxiety and related disorders include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication options (ERP). CBT is a problem-focused therapy that uses cognitive tasks to identify the cause of fear and related behaviors and help a client learn skills that could help them manage the symptoms (Cooper & Granucci Lesser, 2015). This treatment is effective for the treatment and relapse prevention of all anxiety disorders. However, CBT may be ineffective when used alone to treat severe anxiety disorders and comorbidity (Cooper & Granucci Lesser, 2015). The treatment of anxiety disorders is even more effective