Generalized Anxiety Disorder From Different Perspecitves

¶ … Philosophical Origins of Clinical Psychology - Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Humanistic, and Family Systems in Relation to Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A psychodynamic approach to Generalized Anxiety Disorder takes into account childhood trauma and other fundamental experiences that shape dysfunctional responses to stressors. The underlying philosophy is based on Fruedian theory, illuminating the structure of the ego and how it develops in early childhood. Inadequate or dysfunctional parent-child interactions, such as overprotective parenting, can prevent the healthy development of ego defense mechanisms that can protect the individual from stress and provide the means to cope and overcome ("Anxiety Disorders," n.d.).

Cognitive-behavioral perspectives emphasize dysfunctional thought patterns that underlie anxiety. Those patterns might include maladaptive beliefs or assumptions about the self or the world ("Anxiety Disorders," n.d.). Those thought patterns may or may not have their roots in traumatic experiences, but the philosophy of cognitive-behavioral therapy is on pragmatic change. A cognitive-behavioral philosophy rests on the philosophy that faulty belief systems can be changed in order to affect changes in behavior.

Humanistic philosophies are based on treating the whole person, recognizing that anxiety might stem from an inability to meet higher-level needs such as finding meaning in life or meaningful connections with other people.

Family systems perspectives are based on a philosophy that current, and not just past, family dynamics need to be taken into account to understand generalized anxiety disorder.

2) Identify the goals of each approach of clinical psychology - psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and family systems in relation to Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The goals of the psychodynamic approach are to investigate the childhood roots of generalized anxiety disorder and help the client to understand how their anxiety disorder is a result of coping mechanisms learned in childhood. The goals of the cognitive-behavioral approach to generalized anxiety disorder would be to change not only the behavioral responses to anxiety but also the root causes such as dysfunctional thinking, or ineffective views of self-worth. The humanistic perspective is built on recognizing a hierarchy of human needs, as Maslow put it ("Humanistic Approach," n.d.). The goals of humanistic psychology are to help the client to meet multiple needs and feel more globally fulfilled. The goal of family systems theory is to include in the therapeutic process any relevant relationship issues that may be causing or exacerbating anxiety and to work through those relationship issues with the goal of healing the entire system.

3) Describe the techniques and strategies used by each approach of clinical psychology - psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and family systems in relation to Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Different schools of psychological thought have different techniques and strategies for effective therapeutic intervention. The psychodynamic approach uses talk therapy in addition to a variety of exercises such as free association and dream analysis ("Anxiety Disorders," n.d.). The cognitive-behavioral approach uses specific techniques like rational-emotive therapy, role playing, and making lists that can help the client to vocalize and understand the thought processes behind the anxiety ("Anxiety Disorders," n.d.). Humanistic psychologists may use client-centered therapy, in which the hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations of the client are taken into account as tantamount to the presenting symptoms ("Humanistic Approach," n.d.). Finally, a family systems therapeutic intervention might include family therapy sessions.

4) Explain how each approach affects the treatment strategies for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Psychodynamic approaches affect treatment strategies because of the emphasis on the past, and the structure of the ego. Less attention would be paid to the client's future goals and aspirations, contrary to humanistic psychology and also to the other models. Cognitive-behavioral approaches might be tacitly interested in the ways past experiences have created biases or assumptions that are underlying the generalized anxiety disorder, but the therapeutic interventions are focused on current coping mechanisms. Humanistic approaches are based on a holistic view of the client, recognizing that anxiety might stem from existential angst as much as from relationship problems or low self-esteem ("Humanistic Approach," n.d.). Family systems approaches would focus less on the hierarchy of human needs or on cognitive issues and far more on how current relationship dynamics might change to reduce symptoms (Priest, 2015).