A quantitative meta-analysis of fMRI studies investigating emotional processing in excessive worriers: application of activation likelihood estimation analysis

Worry has been defined as “a chain of thoughts and images, negatively affect-laden and relatively uncontrollable“ (Borkovec, Robinson, Pruzinsky,& DePree, 1983, p. 10). Its severe or pathological form is characterized as excessive, out of proportion and uncontrollable (Hirsch& Mathews, 2012a; Ruscio, 2002). Being accompanied by increased anxiety and distress as well as a series of physiological sequelae (e.g., muscle tension, restless-ness, sleep-disturbance), excessive worry can evolve into a source of massive impairment and emotional discomfort (e.g., Calmes& Roberts, 2007; Ruscio, 2002; Tallis, Eysenck,& Mathews, 1991).
Source: Journal of Affective Disorders - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Review article Source Type: research