Interpersonal Processes in the Anxiety Disorders: Implications for Understanding Psychopathology and Treatment

Traditional theories on the anxiety disorders have focused on intrapersonal factors, such as cognitive, affective, behavioral, physiological, and genetic processes. Yet, those who treat and conduct research with anxious individuals know that interpersonal processes interact with anxiety symptoms. How can we begin to reconcile research and clinical experiences with current theoretical accounts? In this volume, editor J. Gayle Beck draws together, for the first time, the available knowledge about interpersonal factors in the anxiety disorders. The book begins with an overview of models and measures for conceptualizing and assessing interpersonal processes in the anxiety disorders. It then reviews the available literature on interpersonal processes pertaining to specific disorders, including childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and health anxiety. Throughout the book, clinical descriptions, etiological formulations, and information pertaining to comorbidity and treatment help to bridge the gap between clinical and research work. This groundbreaking book will appeal to everyone interested in anxiety disorders or interpersonal processes in psychopathology.