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guidelines (Mind/Body)
anxiety and depression
psychospiritual approaches

definition

two theories:
learned helplessness theory: Seligman postulated in 1972 that people come to feel helpless and hopeless when faced with repeated traumatic events over which they have no control, which results in passive acceptance and slowing of adaptive responses or learning. Intervention focuses on (1) activating the patient in a realistic, goal-directed way to move toward adaptive coping and (2) assigning tasks which are easily accomplished and mutually determined by patient and physician, in order to enhance self-esteem and success. Relaxation and imagery is a possible adaptive coping mechanism, not a cure.

cognitive theory: Beck views depression as dominated by a negative evaluation of the self, world, and future which results from only seeing personal shortcomings. Intervention is aimed at: (1) modifying negative thinking and expectations by identifying negative thoughts and conclusions, and focusing on assets, accomplishments, and growth; (2) increasing patient's sense of control over goals and behavior; and (3) developing self-esteem.

Anxiety is similar to Beck's depression, with vulnerability as the essential ingredient. Patient feels that something bad is going to happen and that they won't be able to handle it. Intervention explores these questions: (1) what is the evidence? (2) what is another way of looking at the situation? (3) so what if it happens? Relaxation and imagery will not cure, but mastering a self-help technique may counter anxiety and depression and give a sense of control and self-esteem. (Zahourek, p. 169-174)

• behavior therapy:
Anxiety reduction procedures: By eliminating or reducing the anxiety (through systematic desensitization with deep relaxation) associated with a thought, behavior, or situation, the anxiety and resultant behaviors will be extinguished. Flooding and implosion are also anxiety-reducing techniques in which the patient confronts the most anxiety-provoking stimuli, and experiences the full tide of the affect that is aroused.

In contrast to these procedures, a more substantial and growing body of literature supports the efficacy of a combination of prolonged exposure and response-prevention techniques to treat forms of anxiety disorders.
(Kaplan, p. 999)

see:
behavior modification techniques
emotional tone scale
healing belief systems
process paradigm
relaxation techniques
the shadow and physical symptoms
imagery for anxiety and depression


footnotes