PSY – 495 Topic 4: Limitations
Part 1: Limitations
Review all the articles you included in your reference list/literature articles assignment focusing
specifically on the limitations presented in each study (remember to cite the information). List
the limitations that you find below. Please note: limitations are often in the discussion or
conclusion of an article. Researchers/authors will note things like a small sample size as a
limitation.
Part 2: Similarities of Limitations
Look for similarities in the limitations. Do several studies note the same limitation? Write a
paragraph that summarizes the similarities noted. Make sure you have cited all of the articles intext that note similar limitations. (Please note: When your parenthetical citation includes two or
more sources, list in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author listed and separate
using a semi-colon.)
Part 3: Reduction or Avoidance of Impact
Consider the limitations noted in previous studies. Might these limitations impact the study you
are proposing? Can you structure your study to help reduce or avoid the limitations that have
been noted by previous researchers? If so, how? If not, why?
© 2023. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
1
Literature Review
Brianna Hampton
Grand Canyon University
PSY-495
April 30, 2023
2
Introduction
Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The presence
of acute, uncontrollable worry that interferes with everyday living is a distinguishing hallmark of
generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is widely treated using a variety of therapeutic techniques.
This literature review was developed to familiarize readers with the backdrop of GAD research
and history.
Prevalence of GAD
GAD is predicted to affect 6% of adults at some point in their lives. This figure was gathered
from a poll of over 9,000 local inhabitants. According to research (Baxter et al., 2013), women
are more likely to suffer from GAD than men. The frequency of generalized anxiety disorder
varies with age and cultural background. According to Liu et al. (2017), GAD is more frequent
among Chinese elderly than among Chinese children. Similarly, Gallo et al. (2014) discovered
that Hispanics and African-Americans were likelier to suffer from GAD than non-Hispanic
whites.
GAD is linked to substantial functional impairment and deterioration in the quality of life, which
influence how afflicted people go about their everyday lives. Wittchen et al. (2011) found that
those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) outperformed those without GAD across various
parameters. GAD is a prevalent mental health illness resulting in functional impairment and
reduced quality of life. GAD affects women more than men, which is true across all age groups
and countries where the disorder has been studied. The fact that GAD often co-occurs with other
mental health conditions highlights the need for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment
3
approach for this illness. In patients’ everyday lives, the effects of a generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD) and the therapies available to alleviate its symptoms should not be overlooked.
Risk Factors for GAD
GAD has been linked to various factors, including biological, environmental, and psychological
factors. GAD heritability was estimated to be between 30 and 40% by Hettema et al. (2012).
This highlights the importance of genetic factors in the development of GAD. Anxiety disorders
like GAD have been linked to environmental variables such as stressful life experiences (Stein &
Sareen, 2015). GAD is also connected to psychological issues such as negative thinking
processes and difficulty managing emotions (Mennin & Fresco, 2013).
In addition to inherited and environmental factors, the development of GAD has been linked to
various psychological characteristics. In their cognitive model of GAD, Brosschot, Gerin, and
Thayer (2006) propose that negative thought patterns and cognitive biases substantially
contribute to the persistence of worry and anxiety. Catastrophic thinking, or imagining the worstcase scenario in reaction to stress, is a symptom of GAD. According to Roemer and Orsillo
(2013), this kind of thinking may contribute to the development of generalized anxiety disorder.
The beginning of generalized anxiety disorder has also been connected to a person’s inability to
control their emotions. People with GAD may experience increased anxiety and worry due to
their inability to control their emotions (Mennin & Fresco, 2013). Furthermore, GAD patients
frequently avoid or repress their emotions, exacerbating their anxiety (Roemer & Orsillo, 2013).
Genetic, environmental, and psychological variables all play a role in the development of GAD.
Medical practitioners must be aware of the many potential causes of GAD and the need to
complete a thorough diagnosis and create a treatment approach.
4
Treatment of GAD
GAD is widely treated using a variety of therapeutic techniques. The most effective treatment
option for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT) aims to develop healthy thinking and behavior patterns (Cuijpers et al.,
2014). Some drugs that may help with GAD symptoms include selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines (Baldwin et al., 2014). It has been shown that changing
an individual’s lifestyle to include more exercise and less stress will help reduce the symptoms of
GAD (Fricchione, 2004).
According to studies, CBT is useful in treating generalized anxiety disorder. In a meta-analysis
of 18 randomized controlled trials (Cuijpers et al., 2014), CBT was considerably more helpful
than waitlist control or conventional treatment in lowering GAD symptomslpful than waitlist
control or conventional treatment in lowering GAD symptoms. CBT includes psychoeducation,
cognitive restructuring, exposure treatment, and relaxation training (Roemer & Orsillo, 2013).
Medication, in addition to therapy, is one option for treating GAD. Treatment with selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline and fluoxetine has been shown to
ameliorate symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (Baldwin et al., 2014). Although
benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam may be beneficial in reducing GAD
symptoms, they carry a higher risk of dependency and addiction (Roemer & Orsillo, 2013).
Lifestyle changes may also help with the treatment of GAD symptoms. In GAD patients, regular
exercise lowers anxiety and depression symptoms (Ritz et al., 2013). Another method that has
shown promise in alleviating GAD symptoms is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR;
Roemer & Orsillo, 2013). GAD is often treated with psychotherapy, medication, and behavioral
5
modifications. Medical practitioners should be aware of the many therapies for GAD and
collaborate closely with patients to choose the best course of action.
Treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) should be carefully considered,
considering each patient’s unique characteristics and preferences. Some individuals may benefit
more from medicine, while others may benefit more from psychotherapy or behavioral
adjustments. Furthermore, it is critical to monitor how patients are doing and responding to
treatment, as well as to consider any risks and side effects associated with various treatment
options.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method for stimulating brain nerve
cells. Numerous studies have shown that TMS can help with GAD symptoms (Bakker et al.,
2017; Mantovani et al., 2018). More research is needed, however, to determine the efficacy and
safety of TMS for GAD. GAD is often treated with psychotherapy, medication, and behavioral
modifications. A patient’s treatment plan should be designed in collaboration with their
healthcare professional to meet their requirements and preferences best. The efficacy and safety
of innovative GAD therapies must be studied further.
Mennin and Fresco (2013) discovered that GAD patients often struggle with emotional control.
Furthermore, GAD patients are more likely than the general public to perceive danger (Roemer
& Orsillo, 2013).
Combining medicine with psychotherapy has been more successful than either treatment alone.
Furukawa et al. (2007) discovered that combination treatment was more effective than
6
medication or psychotherapy alone in lowering GAD symptoms in a meta-analysis of 14
randomized controlled trials.
Although the exact cause of certain people’s proclivity for GAD is unknown, experts have
identified several risk factors. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been linked to genetics,
environmental stress, and individual variations in personality and cognitive style (Hettema et al.,
2012).
Other than drugs and talk therapy, there are various approaches to controlling the symptoms of
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Ritz et al. (2013) observed that people with GAD who
exercised daily felt less anxious and depressed.
Conclusion
To summarize, GAD is a common mental illness that may substantially impair a person’s ability
to function daily. If healthcare personnel are aware of the risk factors and successful therapies for
GAD, they may be able to assist their patients more effectively with the disease. None of these
characteristics seem very important in the development of GAD, even though genetics,
environmental stress, and cognitive style have all been connected to the illness as potential risk
factors. GAD treatments include medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and behavioral
changes. A mental health ailment known as generalized anxiety disorder may substantially
impact a person’s everyday life. Understanding the incidence, risk factors, and treatment options
for GAD is critical. GAD treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and
behavioral and lifestyle adjustments. More research is needed to determine the underlying causes
of GAD and develop effective treatments.
7
References
Bakker, N., Shahab, S., Giacobbe, P., Blumberger, D. M., Daskalakis, Z. J., Kennedy, S. H., &
Downar, J. (2017). rTMS of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex for major depression:
Safety, tolerability, effectiveness, and outcome predictors for 10 Hz versus intermittent
theta-burst stimulation. Brain Stimulation, 10(2), 293-300.
Baldwin, D. S., Anderson, I. M., Nutt, D. J., Allgulander, C., Bandelow, B., den Boer, J. A., … &
Tyrer, P. (2014). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of generalized anxiety
disorder. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17(6), 965-982.
Baxter, A. J., Vos, T., Scott, K. M., Ferrari, A. J., & Whiteford, H. A. (2013). The global burden
of anxiety disorders in 2010. Psychological Medicine, 43(05), 897-910.
Brosschot, J. F., Gerin, W., & Thayer, J. F. (2006). The perseverative cognition hypothesis: A
review of worry, prolonged stress-related physiological activation, and health. Journal of
Psychosomatic Research, 60(2), 113-124.
Cuijpers, P., Cristea, I. A., Ebert, D. D., Koot, H. M., Auerbach, R. P., Bruffaerts, R., … &
Kessler, R. C. (2016). Psychological treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A metaanalysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 43, 113-127.
Fricchione, G. (2004). Generalized anxiety disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(7),
675-682.
Furukawa, T. A., Watanabe, N., Churchill, R., & Psychotherapy, M. A. (2007). Combined
psychotherapy plus benzodiazepines for panic disorder. The Cochrane Library.
8
Gallo, J. J., Marino, S., Ford, D., Anthony, J. C., Eaton, W. W., & Chen, L. Y. (2014).
Differences in DSM-IV symptom endorsement by race/ethnicity among outpatients at a
community mental health center. Psychiatric Services, 65(3), 414-420.
Hettema, J. M., Neale, M. C., & Kendler, K. S. (2012). A review and meta-analysis of the
genetic epidemiology of anxiety disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(11),
1150-1159.
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005).
Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National
Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
Liu, X., Tang, W., Chen, G., Lu, Y., Feng, Y., & Qi, X. (2017). Prevalence and correlates of
generalized anxiety disorder in a community-based sample of older adults in China.
Journal of Affective Disorders, 223, 115-121.
Mantovani, A., Leckman, J. F., Grantz, H., King, R. A., Sporn, A. L., Lisanby, S. H., … &
Simpson, H. B. (2018). Randomized sham-controlled trial of repetitive transcranial
magnetic stimulation in treatment-resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder. International
Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 21(12), 1066-1075.
Mennin, D. S., & Fresco, D. M. (2013). Emotion regulation therapy. In Handbook of emotion
regulation (pp. 469-490). Guilford Press.
9
Ritz, T., Rosenfield, D., de la Vega, R., & Meuret, A. E. (2013). Exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction in adults with asthma and anxiety: the role of mindfulness. Journal of
Asthma, 50(1), 87-93.
Roemer, L., & Orsillo, S. M. (2013). Mindfulness-and acceptance-based behavioral therapies in
practice (Vol. 2). Guilford Press.
Roemer, L., & Orsillo, S. M. (2013). Mindfulness-and acceptance-based behavioral therapies in
practice (Vol. 2). Guilford Press.
Stein, M. B., & Sareen, J. (2015). Generalized anxiety disorder. New England Journal of
Medicine, 373(21), 2059-2068.
Wittchen, H. U., Zhao, S., Kessler, R. C., & Eaton, W. W. (2011). DSM-IV generalized anxiety
disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey: prevalence, course, and sociodemographic
correlates. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 261(3), 177-186.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
