The Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation When I first began my research for this paper, I was primarily interested in learning more about the role of serotonin in the treatment of anxiety disorders. While I did discover that serotonin is important, especially when it comes to understanding the latest drugs being prescribed by doctors to combat anxiety symptoms, I also learned that researchers are pursuing a number of other "leads" in investigating the neurobiology of anxiety disorders. There has been evidence suggesting that a particular gene, or genes, may be associated with the development of anxiety disorders (1). In addition, the circuitry of the amygdala, an area of the brain that regulates fear responses, is now being studied (2). First, I will briefly summarize my findings regarding serotonin, and then I will offer my own personal reaction. I will focus my response around Social Anxiety Disorder, one of a number of anxiety disorders that are diagnosed and treated today. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in America, affecting approximately 19 million adults (3). Although everyone experiences mild symptoms of anxiety at some point in their lives, those who suffer from an anxiety disorder have chronic and intense bouts of panic. They may fear or dread common social situations such as being out in public with a group of friends (4), or experience full-blown panic attacks (5) that make it impossible to go grocery shopping or to get to work in the morning. If untreated, anxiety disorders can severely impact the quality of one's life, and symptoms may grow even worse over time. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disor... ... middle of paper ... ...c internet resource http://www.algy.com/anxiety/files/barlow.html 6)Serotonin, from Department of Psychology, California State University http://www.csuchico.edu/psy/BioPsych/serotonin.html 7)"The Physiology of Panic Disorder, Part II", from Panic/Anxiety Disorders on about.com http://panicdisorder.about.com/health/panicdisorder/library/weekly/aa043097.htm 8)"Drug May Help in Rx, Education of Panic Disorder", from The Medical Post, January 29, 1996, found on Internet Mental Health http://www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p5m-pan1.html 9)Paxil, from SmithKline Beecham http://www.paxil.com/ Other Resources 1)The Neurobiology of Childhood Emotion: Anxiety, from The American Psychoanalyst, Vol. 32, No. 2 http://www.apsa.org/tap/anxiety.htm 2)The Neurobiology of Depression, from Scientific American, June 1998 http://www.sciam.com/missing.cfm
People with Borderline Personality Disorder tend to view the world as simple as possible. People who view the world like this, confuse the actions of others. (Hoermann et al, 2005) Recurrent thoughts about their relationships with others, lead them to experience extreme emotional reactions, great agony which they have a hard time controlling, which would result in engaging in self-destructive behaviors. Diagnosing a patient with this disorder can be challenging which is why is it is labeled as one of the difficult ones to diagnose. (Hoermann et al, 2005)
This paper looks at a person that exhibits the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In the paper, examples are given of symptoms that the person exhibits. These symptoms are then evaluated using the DSM-V criteria for BPD. The six-different psychological theoretical models are discussed, and it is shown how these models have been used to explain the symptoms of BPD. Assessment of
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects about 4% of the general population, and at least 20% of the clinical psychiatric population. (Kernberg and Michels, 2009) In the clinical psychiatric population, about 75% of those with the disorder are women. BPD is also significantly heritable, with 42-68% of the variance associated with genetic factors, similar to that of hypertension. BPD can also develop due to environmental factors such as childhood neglect and/or trauma, insecure attachment, and exposure to marital, family, and psychiatric issues. (Gunderson, 2011)
Kluft and Foote. Borderline Personality Disorder. American Journal of Psycotherapy, Vol. 53, No. 3, Summer 1999.
Diagnosis is extremely hard with borderline personality disorder because so many of the symptoms overlap into other mental illnesses. The DSM-IV has distinct criteria. The National Institute of Health lists the following as the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder: a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self image, and affects and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts as indicated by five or more of the following:
Not surprisingly, serotonin is implicated in a broad range of serotonin disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease (3).. Serotonin deficiencies have been one of the factors to blame for ailments such as anorexia, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorders, migraines, social phobias and schizophrenia. (9). (12). I am not taking a stance that serotonin has its hand in all of these different pots, but after the research that I have completed for this paper, I feel comfortable talking about serotonin in reference to depression. No one can say for certain what exactly "causes" depression. But in this paper, I hope to give further insight into serotonin's specific role as a possible predeterminant for major depression and some hopes for those suffering from this illness.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental illness characterized by patterns of ongoing instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning. An individual suffering from this disorder may act impulsively and experience unstable relationships (The National Institute of Mental Health, 2016). The term Borderline Personality Disorder stems from the idea that the characteristics of this disorder fall between anxiety and psychosis (Cacioppo & Freberg, 2016). According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2017), “1.6% of the adult U.S. population have BPD but it may be as high as 5.9%. Nearly 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are women, but recent research suggests that men may be almost as frequently
Winston, Anthony P. Recent developments in borderline personality disorders. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2000, 211-217
A panic attack is an unexpected, strong experience of fear joined with an irresistible feeling of threat, escorted by physical symptoms of anxiety. A person with panic disorder may have frequent panic attacks and feel stern anxiety about having another attack (Rosemary Purcell, Paul Maruff, Michael Kyrios, and Christos Pantelis, Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998). The disorder characteristically begins in young adulthood, but older people and children can be involved. Characteristically, a first panic attack appears to come suddenly, occurring as a person is busy in some normal doings like driving a car or walking to work. Unexpectedly, the person is struck by a barrage of scary and painful symptoms. Initial panic attacks may occur when people are under considerable stress, from an excess of work, for instance, or from the loss of a family member or close friend. The attacks may also follow surgery, a severe accident, sickness, or childbirth. Extreme consumption of caffeine or use of cocaine or other refreshment drugs or medicines can also trigger panic attacks (Jeremy D. Coplan, Raymond Goetz, Donald F. Klein, Laszlo A. Papp, Abby J. Fyer, Michael R. Liebowitz, Sharon O. Davies, and Jack M. Gorman, Gen Psychiatry 1998). In panic disorder, panic attacks persist and the person fears having another attack. As noted earlier, this fear called anticipatory anxiety can be there most of the time and critically obstruct with the person's life even when a panic attack is not in development. People who develop these panic-induced phobias will be likely to keep away from situations that they fear will activate a panic attack, and their lives may be increasingly restricted thus. Many people with panic disorder stay powerfully worried about their...
In 2005, an intergovernmental agreement between the Liberal government of Canada and the leaders of the national Aboriginal organizations was initiated. The treaty was known to be the Kelowna Accord. The ob...
According to Lieb, Zanarini, Schmahl, Linehan, and Bohus (2004) study borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a “mental disorder with a characteristic pervasive in affect regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self-image” (pg. 453). The study (2004) concluded that the cause of borderline personality disorder is complex but that genetic factors and advers...
In the early 1900’s the ideal woman would be dressed with long dresses and would normally have long hair. Several events such as World War I, in July of 1914, changed women’s role in society. They were not only taking care of the children and the household but they were also taking the role of a man. As men went to war, women replaced them in factories. This caused woman to be more independent. Women realized that having a job was something that could be done; their sex didn’t restrict them from taking this action. This was extremely important as it lead to women being more confident and capable. In the 1920s young women began to change. They went from having long dresses and long hair, to a short haircut and wearing dresses that were above the knee. Women developed a greater interest in looking attractive. According to Russell L. Johnson, the beauty industry grew rapidly as cosmetic expenses sky rocketed from 750 million to 2 billion dollars (Johnson 3). This was one of the causes of the sexual revolution. Women became “ less formal but more expressive (Mag...
Do you know what it feels like to have your palms sweat, throat close up, and your fingers tremble? This is the everyday life of someone who lives with anxiety. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I hear my brain freaking out about the day ahead of me. What do I eat for breakfast? What do I do first when I get home from school? What happens if I get in a car crash on my way to school? A million thoughts at one time racing through my head. I never have the time to process all of them. Most mornings, I lay in my bed and have to take a few deep breaths to begin my hectic but not so hectic day. That’s just the beginning. It’s safe to say that I feel that I 'm an anxious person and that I have an anxiety disorder.
Borderline Personality is a disorder that affects a significantly large percentage of the population with a prevalence rate of up to 5.9%. (DSM, 2000) Out of that percentage about 75% of patients diagnosed with BPD are female. It is an illness that is both misunderstood and given quite a bad stigma. It is difficult to live with and those that have it struggle to maintain personal and business relationships. Even with the high demand for treatment it is a disorder that is hard to treat however when treated can be highly affective. (NIMH) This paper goes into detail on the history, diagnosing, treatment, and effects of Borderline Personality Disorder so that the disorder may better be understood.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2009). Studying anxiety disorders. NIH Medline plus, 5, 13-15. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-index.shtml