Formal Analysis of Temporal Dynamics Properties in Anxiety States and Traits

Abstract

This article presents a temporal dynamic model of anxiety states and traits for an individual. Anxiety is a natural part of life, and most of us experience it from time to time. But for some people, anxiety can be extreme. Based on several individual characteristics, traits, and a representation of events (i.e. psychological and physiological stressors), the formal model can represent whether a human that experience certain scenarios will fall into an anxiety states condition. A number of well-known relations between events and the course of anxiety are summarized from the literature and it is shown that the model exhibits those patterns. In addition, the formal model has been mathematically analysed to find out which stable situations exist. Finally, it is pointed out how this model can be used in therapy, supported by a software agent.