Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
07:57
A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Automaticity in anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder
Bethany A Teachman1, Jutta Joormann, Shari A Steinman
1Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904‐4400, USA. bteachman@virginia.edu
Clinical Psychology Review
|August 4, 2012
Summary
Anxiety disorders involve uncontrollable, unconscious, and unintentional processing of threat information. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) involves uncontrollable processing of negative information, but not necessarily unconscious or unintentional.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Automatic cognitive processing plays a role in emotional regulation.
- Previous research has not clearly distinguished the features of automaticity in psychological disorders.
- A social cognition perspective defines automaticity by four features: unconscious, efficient, unintentional, and uncontrollable processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the nature of automatic cognitive processing in anxiety disorders and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
- To differentiate the features of automaticity characterizing anxiety disorders versus MDD.
- To explore the clinical and theoretical implications of automatic processing in emotion dysregulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review based on a social cognition perspective.
- Analysis of automaticity features (unconscious, efficient, unintentional, uncontrollable) in relation to anxiety disorders and MDD.
- Identification of research gaps and future directions.
Main Results:
- Anxiety disorders are characterized by uncontrollable, unconscious, and unintentional biased processing of threat-relevant information.
- MDD is characterized by uncontrollable processing of negative information, but not necessarily unconscious or unintentional.
- Evidence regarding the efficiency of processing in either condition is inconclusive, with early indications suggesting it is not a defining feature.
Conclusions:
- Automatic processing differs between anxiety disorders and MDD, particularly concerning awareness and intentionality.
- Understanding the distinct features of automaticity is crucial for comprehending emotion dysregulation.
- Further research using paradigms that specifically delineate automaticity features is needed.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:28Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...