Anxiety in Health Behavior and Physical Illness

Edited by Michael J. Zvolensky, University of Vermont Jasper A. J. Smits, Southern Methodist University

While the links between physical illness and depression have been well-documented and analyzed, little has been made of the data relating physical illness to anxiety-until now. Anxiety in Health Behavior and Physical Illness explores complex relationships between medical and anxiety pathology on the theoretical, research, and practical fronts. Over forty experts examine reciprocal roles of anxiety and medical illness as causal or exacerbating factors in each other's onset and development, describe forms of anxiety typical to major disease entities, discuss common health behaviors as they impact anxiety, recast anxiety disorders as chronic illness, and identify patients for whom new forms of treatment may be warranted.

Among the topics covered:

• Anxiety in the context of specific illness: heart disease, asthma, HIV/AIDS.

• Self-medication across the anxiety disorders: alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs.

• Possible links between anxiety and insomnia.

• The relationship between puberty and adolescent anxiety.

• Anxiety, anxiety disorders, and the menstrual cycle.

• Anxiety disorders and chronic pain.

• Current and emerging treatments for anxiety disorders, from CBT to exercise-based interventions.

Anxiety in Health Behavior and Physical Illness is a comprehensive resource to be read not only by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and, other health professionals, but also by researchers and graduate students on the cutting edge of the field.

Autorentext

Michael J. Zvolensky received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from West Virginia University in 2001. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Vermont and Director of the Anxiety and Health Research Laboratory and Clinic. His work is funded through the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health, and Anxiety Disorder Association of America.

Jasper A. J. Smits received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. As part of his research and clinical training, he completed a fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Smits' research has been recognized by awards from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America as well as the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Smits joined the Department of Psychology at Southern Methodist University as an Assistant Professor in 2004, where he directs the Anxiety Research & Treatment Program.

Zusammenfassung

The amount of research on the prevalence and nature of various forms of anxiety disorders, problematic health behaviors, and physical illness has significantly accumulated, yet there has been no systematic integration of the research in science and practice.

Anxiety in Health Behaviors and Physical Illness is a single resource that offers theoretical perspectives and reviews of research on the link between health behaviors and physical illness to anxiety. The authors explore the idea of reciprocal relations between anxiety and health factors throughout the developmental course. Special attention is devoted to the mechanisms by which certain health factors (e.g. physical exercise) may play a role in the onset or maintenance of particular anxiety disorders.

Inhalt
Health Behaviors and Anxiety Disorders.- Tobacco Use and Panic Psychopathology: Current Status and Future Directions.- Alcohol Use and Anxiety Disorders.- Illicit Drug Use Across The Anxiety Disorders.- The Promise of Exercise Interventions for the Anxiety Disorders.- Anxiety and Insomnia.- Physical Conditions and Anxiety Disorders.- Anxiety Disorders and Physical Illness Comorbidity: An Overview.- The Relation Between Puberty And Adolescent Anxiety: Theory And Evidence.- Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, And The Menstrual Cycle.- Pain and Anxiety Disorders.- Asthma in Anxiety and Its Disorders: Overview and Synthesis.- Cardiovascular Disease and Anxiety.- HIV and Anxiety.- Physical Illness And Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders: A Review.