McLaughlin, K. A., & Hatzenbuehler, M. L. (2009). Stressful life events, anxiety sensitivity, and internalizing symptoms in adolescents. Journal of abnormal psychology, 118(3), 659–669. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016499

Stressful Life Events, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Internalizing Symptoms in Adolescents

- Stressful life events are fond to be longitudinally associated with increases in AS ( research suggests these cause self-focused repetitive thought like rumination)
- Specific stressful events relating to health and family are predictive of increase in AS
- Uncued panic attacks can predict increased AS in adults

University of Texas at Austin

Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) describes the fear of anxiety-related symptoms that are often accompanied by hyperarousal, pain, stomach distress, and racing thoughts. Individuals experience physical and social fears alongside concerns for mental capability.

Anxiety Sensitivity

- Fear of Chronic Medical Conditions
- Avoidance of Daily Activities
- Engagement in Unhealthy Practices
- Pathophysiological Alterations

Effects of AS

- Psychoeducation (teaching the patient about their diagnosis by explaining the physiology of anxiety or how the flight-fight system works)
- Cognitive Restructuring (identifying, challenging, and replacing the patient's beliefs causing AS)
- Emotional Acceptance (teach patients to mindfully observe their reactions rather than trying to control them)
- Interoceptive Exposure (train clients to manage symptoms, instead of fearing them, after exposing themselves to their own bodily sensations)
- In Vivo Situational Exposure (exposing patients to their feared situations and instructing them to remain in that situation to "face their face", eventually reducing the fear)

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