Chapter 5

Question 1

Define Anxiety

Answer 1

i. A negative mood state characterized by bodily symptoms of physical tension and apprehension about the future

Question 2

Define fear

Answer 2

i. Immediate alarm reaction to danger

Question 3

Define panic attack

Answer 3

i. An abrupt experience of intense fear or acute discomfort accompanied by some physical symptoms
ii. Similar psychological reactions to fear

Question 4

Ling between GABA and anxiety

Answer 4

1. Depleted levels of this substance associated with increased anxiety

Question 5

Define the role of Cortico tropin-releasing factor (CRF)

Answer 5

1. Central to the expression of anxiety
2. Has wide ranging impacts on emotion
3. Directly related to GABA

Question 6

Define the limbic system

Answer 6

1. The portion of the brain most commonly associated with anxiety
2. Acts as a mediator between the brain stem and cortex

Question 7

Define behavioural inhibition system

Answer 7

1. Activated by signals from brain stem of unexpected events

2. When activated, causes us to freeze, experience anxiety, and cause us to apprehensively evaluate situation

Question 8

what brain area is most associated with anxiety?

Answer 8

the limbic system; in particular, the septal-hippocampal system

Question 9

How can a sense of uncontrolability develop?

Answer 9

as a function of upbringing and other disruptive/traumatic environmental factors

Question 10

Define anxiety sensitivity

Answer 10

1. Tendency to respond fearfully to anxiety symptoms

2. Good predictor of who will/won’t experience anxiety under certain circumstances

Question 11

Define some panic risks

Answer 11

1. More emphasis on interplay between cognition and conditioning
2. Conditioned stimuli can invoke fear response, even when there is nothing to be afraid of

Question 12

What are some social contributions that can caused anxiety?

Answer 12

i. Stressful life events trigger our vulnerabilities to anxiety
ii. The same stressors can provoke later anxiety

Question 13

Define the triple vulnerability theory

Answer 13

i. Generalized biological vulnerability
1. Eg. Tendency to be uptight and high strung
ii. Generalized psychological vulnerability
1. Eg. Growing up believing the world is a dangerous place and out of your control
iii. Specific psychological vulnerability
1. Being taught by someone else that something is dangerous

Question 14

What is the disorder that gets the highest amount of comorbidity to anxiety?

Answer 14

Depression

Question 15

What is the clinical description of GAD?

Answer 15

i. At least six months of excessive anxiety or worry
ii. Must be ongoing more days than not
iii. Must be difficult to control
iv. Physical symptoms
1. Muscle tension, mental agitation, fatigue

Question 16

What % of pop. meet GAD criteria, what amount are female, and it what age range is it most likely to be found?

Answer 16

i. 1% of CAD pop meet GAD criteria
ii. 2/3 are female
iii. Most common in the over 45 category

Question 17

what are two causes of GAD?

Answer 17

i. Genetics, Inherit a tendency to be anxious

ii. Chronic muscle tension is always found in GAD patients

Question 18

What are four distinctive cognitive characteristics of GAD?

Answer 18

1. Intolerance of uncertainty
2. Positive beliefs about worry
3. Poor problem orientation
4. Cognitive avoidance
   a. Prevents them from working through a problem

Question 19

What treatment is best for the short term/ long term for GAD?

Answer 19

Short term: Medication
Long term:
Psychological treatment, CBT

Question 20

Define CBT

Answer 20

a. Cognitive behavioural treatment: very effective for GAD