Summary: <p>Using a Strengths-Based Biopsychosocial Approach to Addressing Anxiety<br> Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Executive Director, AllCEUs<br> Objectives<br> ~ Define a strengths based approach<br> ~ Define a biopsychosocial approach<br> ~ Explore the symptoms of anxiety<br> ~ Identify potential causes of and biological, psychological and social interventios for those symptoms</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 approval<br> ~ Require a lot of reassurance about performance</p> <p>Biological Interventions<br> ~ Your body thinks there is a threat. Figure out why<br> ~ Supportive Care<br> ~ Create a sleep routine<br> ~ Helps the brain and body rebalance<br> ~ Can help repair adrenal fatigue<br> ~ Improves energy level<br> ~ Nutrition<br> ~ Minimize caffeine and other stimulants<br> ~ Try to prev</p>
