Fear, anxiety, and its disorders

Abstract

In this paper we present a model for the understanding of fear and anxiety as well as the treatment of its disorders, in agreement with the methods used in the Centro de Aconselhamento paraEstudantes da Universidade Lusófona. According to an evolutionary and developmental perspective, fear is viewed as an adaptation. As such, it varies and can show different maladjustments, both in high and low anxiety, that are normally designated as hypo and hyper-anxious disorders. We present possibilities of cognitive-behavioural psychological treatment of hyper-anxious disorders, as well as discuss its effects.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v19i1/2.407