CLP 3140 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Cognitive Therapy, Joseph Wolpe, Classical Conditioning
Document Summary
Biological theorists believe that gad is caused primarily by biological factors: supported by family pedigree studies. Competing explanation of shared environment involving gaba inactivity: benzodiazepine receptors receive gaba transmitters; malfunction in feedback system may contribute to gad. The circuit in the brain the helps produce anxiety reactions includes areas such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. Antianxiety drug treatment: early 1950s: sedative-hypnotic drugs, late 1950s: benzodiazepines, more recently: antidepressant and antipsychotic. Relaxation training: physical relaxation will lead to psychological relaxation, research indicates that relaxation training is more effective than placebo or no treatment, best when used in combination with cognitive therapy or biofeedback. Phobias: persistent and unreasonable fears of particular objects, activities, or situations. Specific phobias: often involve avoidance of the object or thoughts about it, category of dsm-5 s label for an intense and persistent fear of a specific object or situation. Most common: phobias of specific animals or insects, heights, thunderstorms, and blood.
