While this makes obvious sense, there has been far too little clinical research on neurobiological factors that may convey protection from anxiety disorders and promote psychobiological resilience in the face of stress that commonly increases psychopathology.This type of research may facilitate the discovery of preventative approaches to anxiety disorders. Further, by reducing reliance on the standardized diagnostic classification systems noted above, while increasing Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical our knowledge of the neural circuits that mediate behavioral and psychological responses to threat, fear conditioning,

reward behavior, and social attachment – circuits relevant to essentially all of the anxiety disorders – the opportunity exists to establish a “new neurobiology” of anxiety disorders that may result in a radically different classification Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical system that is based upon etiology and pathophysiology. In this context, this review will consider anxiety disorders from the perspective of the psychobiological mechanisms of both resilience and vulnerability to extreme Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical stress. Implications for an improved diagnostic system, discovery of genes related to resilience and vulnerability, and the discovery

of novel therapeutics related to prevention and treatment will be highlighted. Psychological characteristics of resilience The majority of research on Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical resilience in the face of adversity focuses on early childhood and adolescence. Investigations of the effects of war, family violence, poverty, and natural disasters on children

have revealed a consistent pattern of individual characteristics associated with successful adaptation. These include good intellectual Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical functioning, effective self-regulation of emotions and attachment behaviors, positive self concept, optimism, altruism, a capacity to convert traumatic helplessness into learned helpfulness, and an active coping style in confronting a stressor.3-5 In contrast to the research in children, studies of resilience in adults has focused on studies of men in combat. However, this work is applicable to other professions, such as firefighters and police, in which danger is ever present and effective action under stress is GSK1349572 price imperative. Characteristics associated with high performance under stress include altruism, compassion, and an ability Linifanib (ABT-869) to function effectively despite high levels of fear. These include an ability to bond with a group with a common mission, a high value placed in altruism, and the capacity to tolerate high levels of fear and still perform effectively. Most courageous individuals are not fearless, but are willing and able to approach a fear-inducing situation despite the presence of subjective fear and psychophysiological disturbance.