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. 2021 Nov;28(4):459-467.
doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.03.003. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Fear and Anxiety in COVID-19: Preexisting Anxiety Disorders

Roz Shafran  1 , Stanley Rachman  2 , Maureen Whittal  3 , Adam Radomsky  4 , Anna Coughtrey  1   5
Affiliations

Fear and Anxiety in COVID-19: Preexisting Anxiety Disorders

Roz Shafran et al. Cogn Behav Pract. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

The general population has experienced a significant elevation in fear and anxiety during COVID-19 both as a direct result of the virus but also due to measures taken to prevent it spreading, such as the need to stay inside and increase hand-washing. Lockdown has been used in many/most countries to prevent widespread infection. The advice and imposed actions are necessary to prevent the virus from spreading, but they might exacerbate the problems experienced by people with a preexisting anxiety-related disorder. The treatment of anxiety-related disorders can be provided while in quarantine. Staying at home in self-isolation does not preclude obtaining psychological treatment for anxiety-related disorders. Dealing with cognitive biases, over-estimations of threat, intolerance of uncertainty, inflated responsibility and excessive safety behavior, are useful clinical directions.

Keywords: COVID-19; anxiety; therapeutic techniques; vulnerability.

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