Anxiety, Phobias and Panic Disorders: Etiology, Treatment, and Co-Existing Conditions

This workshop will explore the etiological and maintain factors that accompany anxiety and panic disorders and the ways the disorders are alike and ways in which they differ. The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria these disorders will be discussed as will psychotropic medications commonly used in their treatment. Non-medication based forms of treatment will also be provided including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and systematic desensitization. At the end of the workshop attendees will have a strong conceptualization of anxiety and panic disorders that can be used in treating their clients or simply expanding their knowledge base of these disorders.

Workshop Goals and Objectives: This workshop will provide attendees with a basic understanding of these disorders for participants who are unfamiliar with them, and a deeper understanding of the disorders for participants who work more closely with them. Regardless of one’s previous knowledge about anxiety, phobias, and panic, all will leave with a greater appreciation of where these disorders come from and what can be done to manage them clinically.

Attendees will be able to:

• Conceptualize the etiology and maintain factor for anxiety and panic disorder
  
• Identify the co-morbid conditions that often accompany panic and anxiety
  
• Discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies used to manage anxiety and panic disorders
  
• Find and be familiar with the diagnostic criteria for and the diagnostic features of anxiety and panic disorders in the DSM-5 including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia), Separation Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia.
  
• Describe and identify a specific phobia and the diagnostic features of the disorder.
  

Presenter: Brian Bagwell, PsyD.  Dr. Bagwell is an associate professor in the Human Services Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver following a 20-year career as a firefighter/paramedic. Dr. Bagwell spent five years in New York City and was part of a team that provided psychological services to members of the New York Police Department for over a year following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He has presented locally and nationally on topics that include workplace violence; Critical Incident Stress Management; trauma; treating clients with anxiety and panic including firefighters and pilots; and perception of threat and de-escalation of violence strategies for first responders, employers, and mental health clinicians. Dr. Bagwell also coordinates MSU Denver’s Fire and Emergency Response Administration degree program and is a member of the University’s CARE (Consultation, Assessment, Referral and Education) Team.

Eligible for 3 CEUs

Co-Sponsor

Human Services Department