ETIOPATHOGENETIC MECHANISMS OF THE FORMATION OF SPECIFIC PHOBIAS AND PANIC DISORDERS IN MODERN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

This article is devoted to a comprehensive theoretical and empirical study of the underlying causes of specific phobias and panic attacks within the framework of modern clinical psychology. The paper discusses in detail the biopsychosocial model of the formation of anxiety disorders integrating genetic, neurobiological, cognitive and environmental factors. The main purpose of the study is to identify specific triggers and pathogenetic mechanisms that differentiate the development of isolated phobic reactions from spontaneous panic attacks. During a large-scale empirical study involving eight hundred and fifty respondents validated psychometric techniques were applied and a thorough statistical analysis of the obtained data was conducted. The results clearly demonstrate that the formation of panic disorder is closely related to early childhood traumatic experiences and dysfunctional cognitive schemas leading to the catastrophization of somatic sensations. In turn specific phobias are more often consolidated through the mechanisms of classical conditioning and are maintained by avoidance behavior strategies. The article makes a significant contribution to understanding the etiology of these disorders and offers scientifically sound recommendations for optimizing cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy protocols. The presented conclusions have high practical significance for practicing psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists working with the anxiety spectrum of pathologies.