Correlation among experiential avoidance, anxiety sensitivity and behavioral inhibition system in generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the concepts of experiential avoidance, anxiety sensitivity and behavioral inhibition system through healthy volunteers and patients diagnosed with anxiety disorder. It was planned to analyze and evaluate the correlation among the levels of experiential avoidance, anxiety sensitivity and behavioral inhibition system in various anxiety groups. Method: Within the scope of this study, clinical interviews were carried out with patients who sought treatment at the Psychiatry Department of the Hospital of Balıkesir University Medical Faculty. The study included 50 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) patients and 50 Panic Disorder (PD) patients who fulfilled the study criteria and accepted to participate in the study. A voluntary control group of 50 individuals with similar age and gender with the patients was formed. The participants were evaluated through the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System Scale (BIS/BAS Scale), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Results: In this study, the anxiety sensitivity, behavioral inhibition system sensitivity and experiential avoidance levels were all found to be higher in both the GAD and PD patients than the controls. On the other hand, the scale scores did not significantly differ between the GAD patients and PD patients. Positive correlations were determined among anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance and behavioral inhibition system. Our data provided findings supporting that the development of anxiety disorders entails increased anxiety sensitivity, behavioral inhibition system sensitivity and experiential avoidance levels. Discussion: The literature has shown, through separate studies, a correlation among experiential avoidance, anxiety sensitivity and behavioral inhibition system as well as a correlation between these concepts and anxiety disorders, and this study handled them altogether to reveal their correlation with anxiety in a clinical environment.