Summary: <p>Using a Strengths-Based Biopsychosocial Approach to Addressing Anxiety<br> Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC, NCC<br> Executive Director, AllCEUs</p> <p>CEs available at: <a href="https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/504/c/">https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/504/c/</a></p> <p>Objectives<br> – Define a strengths based approach<br> – Define a biopsychosocial approach</p> <p>Why I Care/How It Impacts Recovery<br> – Anxiety can be debilitating<br> – Low-grade chronic stress/anxiety erodes your energy and ability to concentrate<br> – Anxiety is a major trigger for:<br> – Addiction relapse<br> – Increased physical pain<br> – Sleep problems<br> What Does Strengths Based Mean<br> – It is easier (and more effective) to build upon something that already works to some extent.<br> – Strengths-based approach helps people identify how they are already trying to cope and builds on that<br> – There are two types of strengths<br> – Prevention/Resilience Strengths<br> – What you do on a daily basis to stay healthy and happy<br> – Intervention/Coping Strengths<br> – In the past when you have felt this way, what helped-<br> – What made it worse-<br> What is a Biopsychosocial Approach<br> – Bio-logical<br> – Neurochemicals<br> – Nutrition<br> – Sleep<br> – Sunlight & Circadian Rhythms<br> – Psycho-logical<br> – Mindfulness<br> – Distress Tolerance<br> – Coping Skills<br> – Cognitive Restructuring<br> – Social<br> – Improving self-esteem and your relationship with self<br> – Improving relationships with healthy, supportive others<br> What is Anxiety<br> – Anxiety is half of the “Fight or Flight Response”<br> – It is an excitatory response<br> – It’s function is to protect you from danger<br> – It can become a problem when it is<br> – Overgeneralized<br> – Overly intense/uncontrollable<br> – Constant due to brain injury<br> – Like depression, it can be caused by excess serotonin Serotonin: A Common Neurobiologic Substrate in Anxiety and Depression. EISON, MICHAEL S. PhD</p> <p>Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety<br> – Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. They may include:<br> – Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns that's out of proportion to the impact of the event<br> – Inability to set aside or let go of a worry<br> – Inability to relax, restlessness, and feeling keyed up or on edge<br> – Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank”<br> – Distress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decision<br> – Carrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusion<br> – Difficulty handling uncertainty or indecisiveness</p> <p>Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety<br> – Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. They may include:<br> – Physical signs and symptoms may include:<br> – Fatigue<br> – Irritability<br> – Muscle tension or muscle aches<br> – Trembling, feeling twitchy<br> – Being easily startled<br> – Trouble sleeping<br> – Sweating<br> – Nausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome<br> – Headaches</p> <p>Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety (Kids)<br> – Excessive worry about:<br> – Performance at school or sporting events<br> – Being on time (punctuality)<br> – Earthquakes, nuclear war or other catastrophic events<br> – A child or teen with GAD may also:<br> – Feel overly anxious to fit in<br> – Be a perfectionist<br> – Lack confidence<br> – Strive for appr</p>
