Module 2

Depression and Anxiety

Did You Know?

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives (American Psychiatric Association, 2021).

Did You Know?

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives (American Psychiatric Association, 2021).

Module Description

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health conditions. Given that biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in the development of depression and anxiety in a client, these conditions should be diagnosed and treated with a transdiagnostic lens (NIMH, 2022a; NIMH, 2022b). Throughout this module, we will compare depressive and anxiety disorders using this lens. We will also look at how psychedelic-assisted therapy can help with the treatment of these disorders.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • Identify which psychedelic medicines have been used for psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

  • Describe key evidence-based literature supporting the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

  • Compare the DSM criteria and transdiagnostic factors of anxiety and depression.

  • Justify the rationale for using a transdiagnostic approach to the treatment of anxiety and depression.

  • Describe the similarities and differences between anxiety disorders and anxiety-related disorders such as obsessive-compulsive and related disorders and trauma- and stressor-related disorders.

References

American Psychiatric Association (2021). What are anxiety disorders?

National Institute of Mental Health (2022a). Anxiety.

National Institute of Mental Health (2022b). Depression.