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Copyright (c) 2025 Fahad Hasan Fairaq, Amal Mohammad Aljabri, Mohammed Khalifa AlMarashi, Abdullah Hamed Alahmadi, Ghada Mohammad Alalawi, Safaa Ebraheem Flataa, Walaa Gazi Althagafi, Tahani Soud Jamal, Abdullah Muslim Alazmi, Ali Awad Alazmi, Abdulraheem Hleyil Alrshedi, Dlwl RABEH ALMUTAIRI, Hanadi Awad Allah Alofi, Amal Alyan Al Enezi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Anxiety Disorders and Psychosocial Intervention Strategies in Social Work Practice-An Updated Review
Corresponding Author(s) : Fahad Hasan Fairaq
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, anticipatory worry, and physiological hyperarousal. They arise from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors, often leading to chronic impairment and functional decline. Etiological contributors include genetic vulnerability, maladaptive cognitions, trauma, and medical or substance-related influences.
Aim: This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on anxiety disorders and examine psychosocial intervention strategies relevant to social work practice.
Methods: A narrative review approach was employed, integrating updated evidence on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, assessment, and management of anxiety disorders. Emphasis was placed on psychosocial frameworks applicable in multidisciplinary care.
Results: Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric conditions, with specific phobia and social anxiety disorder showing the highest prevalence. Pathophysiological findings highlight dysregulation in neurotransmitter systems and hyperactivity of the amygdala–prefrontal circuitry. Clinical evaluation requires comprehensive history taking and targeted investigations to distinguish primary anxiety from medical mimics. Effective treatment integrates pharmacotherapy—such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and short term benzodiazepines—and evidence based psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure based modalities. Social workers play a critical role in psychoeducation, linkage to care, and strengthening patient coping capacities.
Conclusion: Anxiety disorders present significant clinical and public health burdens. Multimodal, individualized, and interprofessional approaches enhance outcomes and mitigate long term morbidity. Social work practice remains essential in addressing psychosocial contributors and supporting sustained recovery.
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- Hawken T, Turner-Cobb J, Barnett J. Coping and adjustment in caregivers: A systematic review. Health psychology open. 2018 Jul-Dec:5(2):2055102918810659. doi: 10.1177/2055102918810659.
- Domhardt M, Geßlein H, von Rezori RE, Baumeister H. Internet- and mobile-based interventions for anxiety disorders: A meta-analytic review of intervention components. Depression and anxiety. 2019 Mar:36(3):213-224. doi: 10.1002/da.22860.
- Lahousen T, Kapfhammer HP. [Anxiety disorders - clinical and neurobiological aspects]. Psychiatria Danubina. 2018 Dec:30(4):479-490. doi: 10.24869/psyd.2018.479.
- Remes O, Wainwright N, Surtees P, Lafortune L, Khaw KT, Brayne C. Generalised anxiety disorder and hospital admissions: findings from a large, population cohort study. BMJ open. 2018 Oct 27:8(10):e018539. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018539.
- Durazzo M, Gargiulo G, Pellicano R. Non-cardiac chest pain: a 2018 update. Minerva cardioangiologica. 2018 Dec:66(6):770-783. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4725.18.04681-9.
- Jafferany M, Khalid Z, McDonald KA, Shelley AJ. Psychological Aspects of Factitious Disorder. The primary care companion for CNS disorders. 2018 Feb 22:20(1):. pii: 17nr02229. doi: 10.4088/PCC.17nr02229.
- Cosci F, Fava GA, Sonino N. Mood and anxiety disorders as early manifestations of medical illness: a systematic review. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics. 2015:84(1):22-9. doi: 10.1159/000367913.
- Chapdelaine A, Carrier JD, Fournier L, Duhoux A, Roberge P. Treatment adequacy for social anxiety disorder in primary care patients. PloS one. 2018:13(11):e0206357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206357.
- Rickels K, Moeller HJ. Benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders: Reassessment of usefulness and safety. The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. 2019 Sep:20(7):514-518. doi: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1500031.
- Kreuze LJ, Pijnenborg GHM, de Jonge YB, Nauta MH. Cognitive-behavior therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of secondary outcomes. Journal of anxiety disorders. 2018 Dec:60():43-57. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.10.005.
- Pereira AS, Willhelm AR, Koller SH, Almeida RMM. Risk and protective factors for suicide attempt in emerging adulthood. Ciencia & saude coletiva. 2018 Nov:23(11):3767-3777. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320182311.29112016.
References
Hawken T, Turner-Cobb J, Barnett J. Coping and adjustment in caregivers: A systematic review. Health psychology open. 2018 Jul-Dec:5(2):2055102918810659. doi: 10.1177/2055102918810659.
Domhardt M, Geßlein H, von Rezori RE, Baumeister H. Internet- and mobile-based interventions for anxiety disorders: A meta-analytic review of intervention components. Depression and anxiety. 2019 Mar:36(3):213-224. doi: 10.1002/da.22860.
Lahousen T, Kapfhammer HP. [Anxiety disorders - clinical and neurobiological aspects]. Psychiatria Danubina. 2018 Dec:30(4):479-490. doi: 10.24869/psyd.2018.479.
Remes O, Wainwright N, Surtees P, Lafortune L, Khaw KT, Brayne C. Generalised anxiety disorder and hospital admissions: findings from a large, population cohort study. BMJ open. 2018 Oct 27:8(10):e018539. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018539.
Durazzo M, Gargiulo G, Pellicano R. Non-cardiac chest pain: a 2018 update. Minerva cardioangiologica. 2018 Dec:66(6):770-783. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4725.18.04681-9.
Jafferany M, Khalid Z, McDonald KA, Shelley AJ. Psychological Aspects of Factitious Disorder. The primary care companion for CNS disorders. 2018 Feb 22:20(1):. pii: 17nr02229. doi: 10.4088/PCC.17nr02229.
Cosci F, Fava GA, Sonino N. Mood and anxiety disorders as early manifestations of medical illness: a systematic review. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics. 2015:84(1):22-9. doi: 10.1159/000367913.
Chapdelaine A, Carrier JD, Fournier L, Duhoux A, Roberge P. Treatment adequacy for social anxiety disorder in primary care patients. PloS one. 2018:13(11):e0206357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206357.
Rickels K, Moeller HJ. Benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders: Reassessment of usefulness and safety. The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. 2019 Sep:20(7):514-518. doi: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1500031.
Kreuze LJ, Pijnenborg GHM, de Jonge YB, Nauta MH. Cognitive-behavior therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of secondary outcomes. Journal of anxiety disorders. 2018 Dec:60():43-57. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.10.005.
Pereira AS, Willhelm AR, Koller SH, Almeida RMM. Risk and protective factors for suicide attempt in emerging adulthood. Ciencia & saude coletiva. 2018 Nov:23(11):3767-3777. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320182311.29112016.