Anxiety Related Disorders in the Context of Racism

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon material published in Current Psychiatry Reports and is available as an open-access article. The literature on racism and anxiety-related disorders, especially social anxiety, specific phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, is notably lacking. This report aims to review recent evidence demonstrating the link between racial discrimination and various anxiety-related disorders. Anxiety-related disorders were the most significant mediator for daily discrimination and suicidal thoughts, above both depression and substance use. Further, studies showed that racial discrimination promotes posttraumatic stress and racial trauma among people of color. Systemic racism puts people of color at a higher risk for anxiety disorders than White people. Clinical case examples provide lived evidence of diverse racial and ethnic individuals suffering from anxiety-related disorders, with the development and worsening of symptoms due to racism and microaggressions. There is a prominent need for recent research on anxiety-related disorders and racism. Recommendations for clinicians and future research directions are provided. These actions are required to address bias and mental health inequities and empower people of color. This course on the relationship between anxiety disorders and racism is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of the relationship between anxiety disorders and racism. The course material includes a literature review of research and theory. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: MacIntyre, Zare, Williams Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the relationship between anxiety disorders and racism. Specifically, a professional will: Identify characteristics of anxiety disorders and anxiety related disorders. Describe different types of racism and associated psychiatric disorders/ Recognize the importance of becoming culturally responsive to all clients. Citation: MacIntyre, M. M., Zare, M., & Williams, M. T. (2023). Anxiety-Related Disorders in the Context of Racism. Current psychiatry reports, 25(2), 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01408-2