Anxiety is a common mental health factor studied after exposure to natural disasters and the research shows that greater exposure to natural disasters is linked to more symptoms of anxiety-related disorders.

Washington State University at Tri-Cities

Much of the research done on the psychological impact of natural disasters shows higher rates of psychological distress or disorders in those affected than in the general population. Research often shows those affected by climate-related natural disasters have higher rates of:
 - PTSD
 - Anxiety
 - Depression

Mental Health Outcomes Following Natural Disaster Events

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by a persistent and relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and often pointless worry and apprehension. Individuals with this disorder typically worry about routine, everyday matters, such as health, finances, or the safety of family members, without any justified reason. For a diagnosis, this diffuse worrying must occur more days than not for a period of at least six months, not be attributable to another disorder, and be accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Shuquan Chen, Rohini Bagrodia, Charlotte C. Pfeffer, Laura Meli, George A. Bonanno,
Anxiety and resilience in the face of natural disasters associated with climate change: A review and methodological critique, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Volume 76, 2020, 102297, ISSN 0887-6185, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102297.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618520301110)

Climate Change and Anxiety Reference

Anxiety and Natural Disaster Exposure

Research shows that outcome trajectories for acute-onset natural climate change-related disasters are similar to those of other traumatic life events where the majority of people involved come out of the event with healthy and normative function, or resilience.

Trajectory Outcomes of Acute-Onset Climate Disasters and Relation to Mental Health and Resilience

Because of the nature of chronic climate-related natural disaster events, trajectory models do not work as well for predicting mental health and resilience factors. In these cases, qualitative research has been used.

Longitudinal Studies on Chronic Climate-Related Events and Psychological Health and Resilience 

The research on climate change-related natural disasters has reached a general consensus on the mental health factors that climate change affects. Terms like eco-anxiety, climate anxiety, and climate-related grief (among others) have been coined to describe the mental health impacts that climate change-related disasters can cause. While a general consensus has been reached, trajectory models and longitudinal studies should be performed consistently on both acute-onset and chronic climate change disasters in order to get a better picture both of psychological distress from these events and the resilience often reported in populations that are continually plagued by these events.

Further Study Necessary on Chronic and Acute-Onset Climate Disasters and the Relation to Mental Health and Resilience 

Populations exposed to major natural disasters, a form of mass trauma, often show elevated rates of PTSD. For example, research conducted one year after Hurricane Katrina found that nearly 21% of residents in the affected areas suffered from the disorder.

PTSD Prevalence Following Natural Disasters

Glasofer, D. R. (2021, February 15). How Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed Using the DSM-5? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/dsm-5-criteria-for-generalized-anxiety-disorder-1393147. 

DSM-5 GAD Diagnosis

- Feeling Restless
- Fatigued 
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Mind "going blank"
- Irritability
- Muscle Tension
- Difficulty Controlling Feelings of Worry
- Sleep Problems
- Restlessness
- Persistent Worry/Anxiety
- Overthinking
- Difficulty Handling Uncertainty
- Indecisiveness
- Inability to Relax
- Trembling 
- Nervousness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Diarrhea 
- Obessive Thoughts

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Older adults tend to prefer therapy over medication in the treatment of GAD, so it's very important to investigate whether treatments like CBT are effective and feasible.  Group therapy is an efficient method of treatment, so it warrants testing for efficacy.

Group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

- Psychological treatment 
- Medication
- A combination of Psychotherapy and Medication

Treatment options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Adults

References for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Reference for An increase in GAD research

Reference for Conditioned Fear Reactions

Conditioned fear reactions are learned associations between internal or external cues and feelings of severe anxiety.

Conditioned Fear Reactions 

Reference for Managing Anxiety with Nutrition

An alternative strategy for alleviating anxiety is to address the underlying metabolic pathologies that are linked to anxiety. Examples of such metabolic pathologies are microbiome imbalance and inflammation. Interventions aimed at improving nutrition may help alleviate anxiety by reducing inflammation and microbiome imbalance.

Managing Anxiety with Nutrition

A person named Alex illustrates the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder through his constant and pervasive worrying. His anxieties span multiple areas of life, including fears about his children's safety, potential household disasters like fires, his husband's job security, and minor health issues escalating into severe conditions. This chronic worrying significantly impacts his daily functioning, causing tension, irritability, and difficulty in making decisions. His tendency to catastrophize is highlighted by an incident where he contacted the police after his husband and son were only 45 minutes late, assuming they had been in a serious car accident.

Example of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Alex's Worries

The diffuse and pervasive worrying characteristic of Generalized Anxiety Disorder was described by Sigmund Freud as 'free-floating anxiety.' This term highlights that the apprehension is not connected to a specific threat or situation but is instead a general and persistent state of concern that attaches to various aspects of everyday life.

Free-Floating Anxiety in GAD

In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 5.7% of the population will experience symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder at some point in their lives.

Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

There is a notable gender disparity in the occurrence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with females being twice as likely as males to develop the condition.

Gender Differences in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder frequently co-occurs with other mental health conditions, showing a high rate of comorbidity with both mood disorders and other types of anxiety disorders.

Comorbidity of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is often a chronic condition, meaning it tends to be long-lasting and persistent over time for those who experience it.

Chronicity of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder may pose significant physical health risks, as it has been shown to increase the likelihood of experiencing heart attacks and strokes, particularly for individuals who have pre-existing heart conditions.

Health Risks Associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Based on a summary of family and twin studies, genetic factors are understood to play a modest role in the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. However, the heritability of the disorder has not been extensively investigated.

Genetic Factors in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive theories propose that the characteristic worry in Generalized Anxiety Disorder acts as a mental strategy to avoid confronting more powerful and distressing negative emotions. This avoidance mechanism may originate from earlier unpleasant or traumatic life experiences.

Cognitive Theory of GAD: Worry as an Avoidance Strategy

Based on the scenario provided, identify the psychological condition that best explains the individual's symptoms. Justify your choice by connecting specific details from the text to the defining characteristics of the condition.

Clinical Scenario Analysis

Although Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders, research regarding its diagnosis, symptoms, and potential treatments has historically been severely lacking compared to other anxiety disorders. However, in the last decade, there has been an increased interest in research focusing on GAD.

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