Etiology of Anxiety Disorder.
The etiology of anxiety disorder can be looked upon in for different perspectives: psychoanalytical theory, cognitive behavior, biological theory and genetic theory. From a psychoanalytical perspective, Freud would say anxiety comes from unresolved unconscious conflicts between impulses for aggressive gratification and the ego's recognition of the external damage that can result from gratification. Genetic and biological studies based on a family with multiple members with anxiety have shown that 50% of the members have panic disorder, 31% have specific phobias, 20% have generalized anxiety disorder and 7% have social phobias. According to beck, from a cognitive behavior standpoint, anxiety is a response to perceived dangers. Consistent distortion in information processing leads to misperception and feelings of anxiety and danger. .
Classical conditioning, observational learning, stress, cognitive and personality factors also have a great deal to do with anxiety disorders. A person suffering from anxiety disorder may begin avoiding things that make them feel anxious which shows signs of classical conditioning. The avoidance is negatively reinforced due to the fact that it is followed up by a reduction of anxiety. .
Women have a higher rate of anxiety disorders to men. Women are more motional and tend to react less limited to situations as opposed to men, having the tendency to react on a more limited range to stressful events.
Epidemiology of Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety disorders occur commonly. A study conducted by the Epidemiology Catchment Area (ECA) showed the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorder ranges from 4.1% to 6.6%. A survey performed by Kessler and colleagues assessed the exsistance of 14 DSMIII. The psychiatric disorder in national sample of 8,098 people found 1.6% to 3.1% of individuals had anxiety disorder over a six to twelve month period.