Week 5: Theoretical Models of GAD

This week I read the article “Current Theoretical Models of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Conceptual Review and Treatment Implications.” This article goes in-depth about the five models of GAD, which are the Avoidance Model of Worry and GAD, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Model, the Metacognitive Model, the Emotion Dysregulation Model, and the Acceptance-Based Model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Each of these models provides differing perspectives on understanding and treating GAD. Each of the models provides further insight into the differing aspects of GAD.

The avoidance model suggests that people with GAD tend to worry about avoiding vivid mental images and the emotional responses that come from the images. By blocking these reactions, people further prevent themselves from fully processing their feelings and overcoming their fears. Treatment based on this model includes relaxation techniques and self-monitoring.

The Intolerance of Uncertainty model suggests that individuals with GAD tend to find uncertain situations stressful. This tends to lead these individuals to experience chronic worry in response. These individuals tend to believe that worrying will help them cope with or prevent those events from occurring in the first place. The key to treating based on this model is evaluating worry beliefs and processing core fears.

The metacognitive model is about two types of worry: type 1 worry is about non-cognitive events, and type 2 worry is about the process of worrying itself, so essentially worrying about worry. Treatments based on the model include discussing the fear behind the worry. 

The Emotion Dysregulation Model comes from the role of regulating emotional states. This model consists of four central components: emotional hyperarousal, poor understanding of emotions, negative attitudes about emotions more than others, and maladaptive emotion regulation. Treatment can include emotional regulation therapy (ERT) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and methods to enhance one’s emotional awareness.

The acceptance-based model focuses on problematic relationships with internal experiences, experiential avoidance, and behavioral restriction. Treatment includes acceptance-based behavioral therapy (ABBT), which contains psychoeducation, mindfulness, and behavior change exercises.

All five of these models help provide insight into understanding GAD. Each model can be used to delve deeper into understanding a singular symptom of GAD. It is also important to note that these models can complement each other, and an integrated approach can offer a more effective treatment.

Next week, I plan to start my on-site placement at Small Brooklyn Psychology with Dr. White-Ajmani. I will also begin reading “Meditative Therapies for Reducing Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Next week, I plan on interviewing more individuals, such as psychiatrists, which will hopefully improve my understanding of therapeutic techniques used to treat GAD. Finally, I will hopefully garner more responses to my questionnaire. Thank you for reading my blog, and I will update you all next week!

Citation:

Behar, E., DiMarco, I. D., Hekler, E. B., Mohlman, J., & Staples, A. M. (2009). Current theoretical models of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): conceptual review and treatment implications. Journal of anxiety disorders, 23(8), 1011–1023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.07.006