This document discusses applying a biopsychosocial framework to understanding anxiety disorders. It addresses biological factors like the amygdala's role in fear and low GABA levels linking to higher anxiety. Psychological factors include conditioning and cognitive theories. Social influences comprise observational and cultural learning. Treatments target these domains, such as GABA-focused medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and addressing social perceptions and conditioning. Students are assigned activities to map the biopsychosocial model, compare psychotherapies, and outline one's desensitization treatment plan.

1. Lesson 11 & 12:
Applying a Biopsychosocial
Framework to
Anxiety Disorder
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2. No exam question because just had SAC :)
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3. WHAT ARE
YOU SCARED
OF .....
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4. Snakes
Spiders
Heights
Small places
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5. Generalised
Anxiety Disorder
Axis I Phobic Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Feelings of extreme
Panic Disorder
apprehension, fear,
stress and unease Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder
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6. 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
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7. Woman with a Chicken Phobia
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8. Man with peaches phobia
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9. Agoraphobia
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10. Age of Onset
Generally develop in
childhood and
eventually disappear
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11. Applying Biopsychosocial Model to
Anxiety
Biological
Psychological
Social
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12. Biological Factors
Stress Response:
Amygdala:
Fear elicits a strong
Critical role in
stress response (flight
anxiety and fear
or fight)
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA): GABA
reduces feelings of anxiety. Low level GABA
levels -> higher levels of anxiety.
Genetic Predisposition: Amygdala,
neurotransmitters and stress response can
be inherited leading to predisposition to
phobias
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13. Biological Treatments
Involve medications -
particularly targeting
GABA
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14. Neurotransmitter - GABA
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15. GABA in ACTION
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16. Valium - GABA targeted
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17. Psychological Factors
Perceptual Behavioural
Phobias unresolved Phobias are a
conflicts linked with result of
oedipal and electra environmental
complexes in phalic factors through
stage of personality classical and
development (Freud) operant
conditioning
Cognitive
Phobias based on our thought processes and
feelings
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18. Psychological Treatments
Unconscious (hypnosis) Classical & Operant
- uncovering what the Conditioning
‘symbols’ really mean - pairing positive
experiences with stimuli
Cognitive Behavioural to extinguish the fear
Therapy
- As like classical and Flooding
operant, but with thought Exposure for prolonged
processes periods to anxiety causing
stimuli
Systematic Desensitisation
- Counter conditioning (reverse classical
conditioning) which weakens association
between the CS and CS by slowing exposing
person to feared stimuli
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19. Social Factors
Observational learning
- parent fears = child fears
Cultural factors
- Non religious people fear death,
however those that believe in heaven do
not
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20. Social Treatments
Linked closely with psychological
treatments
Focus on questioning thinking about
stimuli
Counter-conditioning
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21. Best to use aspects from all areas!!!!
BioPsychoSocial
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22. 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. spiders
ii. heights
iii. public places
Monday, 3 September 2012