Anxiety characteristics in individuals with Williams syndrome

Abstract

Background: Williams syndrome anxiety research predominantly focuses on disorder prevalence and symptomatology, categorised using standardised mental health classifications. However, the use of these assessments may not fully capture the phenotypic features of anxiety in Williams syndrome. In this study, we examined characteristics of anxiety using a formulation framework.Method: A semi-structured interview was conducted with thirteen parents of individuals with Williams syndrome (median age: 19, age range: 12-45, 8 females).Results: Various anxiety triggers were reported, including anxiety triggered by phobias, uncertainty and negative emotions in others. The range of described behaviours was diverse with both avoidant and active coping strategies for anxiety management reported.Conclusions: Many of the characteristics described were consistent with findings in the intellectual disability and typically developing literature, although novel information was identified. The study demonstrates the utility of a formulation framework to explore anxiety characteristics in atypical populations and has outlined new avenues for research.

Williams syndrome: on the role of intellectual abilities in anxiety

“…The authors propose that among other factors explaining these results, one might be that parents underreport the extent of anxiety problems in comparison to the individuals themselves. In line with Royston and colleagues [ 53 ], we argue that studies of anxiety in WS using self-assessments and methods such as formulation interview techniques, or scales with good psychometric properties particularly developed for populations with intellectual disability, such as the Glasgow Anxiety scale or the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale [ 54 ], are important areas for future research.…”

“…As such, there is a risk that these instruments fail to capture all aspects of anxiety in a population with atypical neurodevelopment such as WS. In a recent study by Royston et al, a novel approach to assess anxiety in WS was taken [ 53 ]. Parents were assessed with a semi-structured instrument created to explore the nature and phenomenology of anxiety in WS.…”

Impact of fear of COVID-19 on students' performance, moderating role of mindfulness: HSK students' perception-based view

“…Raised heartbeat, sweating of the palms, or insomnia are the few symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety has been identified as having two different characteristics such as state anxiety and trait anxiety ( 50 ). In trait anxiety, the perception of fear remains absent in the presence of a threat.…”

baz1b loss-of-function in zebrafish produces phenotypic alterations consistent with the domestication syndrome

“… 1 BAZ1B is one of 28 genes in the 7q11.23 region that is disrupted in Williams syndrome (WS, or Williams-Beuren Syndrome), a neurodevelopmental condition associated with craniofacial dimorphisms and cognitive and behavioral traits including pro-social behavior. 2 , 3 In contrast, in Williams XY Syndrome, haplo-duplication of this chromosomal region leads to autism-like disorders. 4 , 5 Similarities between WS-associated craniofacial features and those of domesticated species when compared to their wild-type counterparts, and the observation that baz1b expression correlates with domestication in canids, has led to the suggestion that variants in baz1b may play a central role in domestication.…”