The biological bridge between behavioral inhibition and psychopathology

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the biological bridge between early childhood behavioral inhibition (BI) and psychopathology, with an emphasis on anxiety disorders. We contextualize the biology of behavioral inhibition and anxiety disorders within the physiology of the threat system. Behavioral inhibition is conceptualized as reflecting an early-appearing tendency to engage the threat system in the presence of both ambiguous and potentially threatening stimuli. The progression from behavioral inhibition to anxiety disorders is hypothesized to occur when brain-based regulatory systems mature in ways that amplify rather than lessen fear. Specific environmental factors that may influence the progression from behavioral inhibition to anxiety disorders are discussed. We complete this chapter by discussing areas for future work.