Exploring illness specific positive beliefs and their influence among patients with anxiety disorder

Abstract

Distress and associated cognition in anxiety disorders are studied extensively throughout the world to conceptualize the core phenomenon of anxiety with the aim to device intervention plan for help individuals suffering from anxiety disorders. A number of studies also showed the presence of positive belief about worrying and the behavioral aspects of anxiety in some of the disorders.However, there is a general gap in the empirical literature on positive beliefs associated with anxiety disorders. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore the patients’ positive belief regarding their disorders and the impacts of such beliefs in patients suffering from anxiety-based disorders. A qualitative research design with grounded theory approach was adopted for exploring positive beliefs associated with anxiety disorder. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa and illness anxiety disorder. Data was collected using in-depth interview, however, to enhance the depth and richness of data, narrative interview and photo elicitation technique were incorporated in the interviews. Analysis of data involved transcription and content analysis of the transcribed data using open and axial codes through NVivo 10 software. The findings suggested that people with anxiety disorder have positive beliefs over their disorders in five broad domains; productivity, personal growth and development, skills and resources, safety and security and wellbeing. Each of the broader themes of positive beliefs were also represented by several sub themes. The participant also reported both positive and negative impact of these positive beliefs.Interviews with clinicians who served as the key informants generally corroborated the findings generated from the patients. The findings of the current research is expected to widen the theoretical understanding of anxiety disorders and might be utilized in designing effective intervention plan for the patients.