Lecture 3 notes

Question 1

What is an anxiety disorder?

Answer 1

Type of psychological disorder in which anxiety is the prominent feature

It impacts quality of life and is characterized by maladaptive anxiety.

Question 2

Anxiety is considered adaptive when it prompts us to _______.

Answer 2

seek medical attention, study for an upcoming test, avoid a dangerous situation

Adaptive anxiety helps in responding appropriately to threats.

Question 3

Anxiety becomes maladaptive when it is _______.

Answer 3

out of proportion to the level of threat, occurs out of the blue

Maladaptive anxiety can disrupt daily life.

Question 4

What are the physical features of anxiety?

Answer 4

• Jumpiness
• Jitters
• Increased perspiration
• Heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Long-term cortisol release

Long-term features can lead to hypertension and cardiovascular stress.

Question 5

What are the behavioral features of anxiety?

Answer 5

• Need to escape or avoid situations
• Agitation
• Clinginess
• Need for reassurance

Anxiety can lead to habitual patterns that impact relationships.

Question 6

What are the cognitive features of anxiety?

Answer 6

• Excessive worrying
• Overly aware of bodily sensations
• Jumbled thoughts
• Nagging thoughts
• Dread and fear

Prolonged worrying often has no rational basis.

Question 7

True or false: Childhood fears such as fear of the dark are considered abnormal.

Answer 7

FALSE

Childhood fears are normal unless they interfere with functioning.

Question 8

What are panic attacks characterized by?

Answer 8

• Strong physical reactions
• Pounding heart
• Rapid respiration
• Shortness of breath
• Heavy perspiration
• Dizziness
• Feelings of terror

Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly and are not classified as a disorder unless repeated.

Question 9

What is agoraphobia?

Answer 9

Fear of places and situations where escape might be difficult

It often leads to avoidance behaviors and can severely impact quality of life.

Question 10

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

Answer 10

Characterized by persistent feelings of dread and heightened sympathetic arousal

It often magnifies normal worries and has a lifetime prevalence of 8.7% in Canada.

Question 11

What are the two types of phobic disorders?

Answer 11

• Specific phobia
• Social anxiety disorder

Specific phobias involve disproportionate fears of ordinary things.

Question 12

What are the 5 diagnostic subtypes of specific phobias?

Answer 12

• Animal type
• Natural environment type
• Blood-injection-injury type
• Situational type
• Other types

Specific phobias affect nearly 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives.

Question 13

What is separation anxiety disorder?

Answer 13

Characterized by extreme fears of separation from caregivers

Affects about 4% of children and can persist if not adapted to.

Question 14

What is selective mutism?

Answer 14

Rare condition where a child does not initiate or reciprocate speech in certain situations

It often begins in early childhood and can lead to social anxiety.

Question 15

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Answer 15

Recurrent obsessions and compulsions that cause marked distress

It affects slightly more than 1% of adults and can significantly interfere with daily functioning.

Question 16

What are adjustment disorders?

Answer 16

Maladaptive reactions to identified stressors resulting in impaired functioning

Reactions may resolve if the stressor is removed or adapted to.

Question 17

What is acute stress disorder (ASD)?

Answer 17

A traumatic stress reaction occurring in the days and weeks following exposure to a traumatic event

Lasts 4 weeks or less.

Question 18

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Answer 18

Impaired functioning following exposure to a traumatic experience

Symptoms persist for at least one month and may last for years.

Question 19

What can trigger acute or PTSD disorders?

Answer 19

• Living in war-torn countries
• Engaging in hazardous occupations

Chronic stress may damage the hippocampus and increase risk for PTSD.

Question 20

What can trigger acute or PTSD disorders?

Answer 20

• Living in war-torn countries
• Engaging in hazardous activities (paramedics, police officers, firefighters)

Risk of being traumatized and developing PTSD is higher in these populations.

Question 21

Research indicates that severe, chronic cases of PTSD have smaller ______ in the brain.

Answer 21

hippocampi

Constant stress may damage the hippocampus.

Question 22

What can result in complex PTSD?

Answer 22

• Accumulation of small ‘t’ traumas
• Growing up in a house with extreme abuse
• Living under constant fear for years

These factors can create complex PTSD.

Question 23

According to psychodynamic perspectives, anxiety disorders are attempts by the ego to control what?

Answer 23

The conscious emergence of threatening impulses

The ego mobilizes defense mechanisms to divert these impulses.

Question 24

What are the defense mechanisms used by the ego?

Answer 24

• Projection
• Displacement

These mechanisms protect the brain at the unconscious level.

Question 25

How do **learning and behavior theorists** explain anxiety disorders?

Answer 25

Through conditioning and observational learning ## Footnote O. Hobart Mowrer founded the two-factor model which includes classical and operant conditioning.

Question 26

What is **Mowrer’s Two-Factor Theory**?

Answer 26

It includes classical and operant conditioning ## Footnote This theory explains how anxiety can be learned and maintained.

Question 27

What is **classical conditioning**?

Answer 27

* Uncontrolled stimulus: Trauma (bitten by dog) * Conditioned stimulus: Thought of harm (dogs are dangerous) * Conditioned fear: Fear of dogs ## Footnote This process explains how fear responses can be learned.

Question 28

What is **operant conditioning** in the context of anxiety?

Answer 28

* Checking behavior: Avoiding walking routes, parks, or any place with dogs * Reduction in fear: Encountering no dogs leads to feeling better ## Footnote This behavior can reinforce the fear of dogs.

Question 29

What is the **theoretical cognitive perspective** of anxiety/stress?

Answer 29

Stress/anxiety is a state of mind, not a reflection of reality ## Footnote It focuses on dysfunctional patterns of thinking.

Question 30

What are examples of **dysfunctional patterns of thinking** according to cognitive theorists?

Answer 30

* Self-defeating or irrational beliefs * Oversensitivity to threat * Anxiety sensitivity * Misattributions for panic attacks ## Footnote These patterns contribute to anxiety and stress.

Question 31

What are the four stages in the **negative feedback cycle** on the cognitive model?

Answer 31

* Subjective threat * Misinterpretation of bodily sensations * Intensification of bodily sensations * Increased anxiety and fear ## Footnote This cycle can lead back to the first stage.

Question 32

What are the **biological perspectives** on anxiety disorders?

Answer 32

* Genetic factors * Neurotransmitters (GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine) * Higher concordance rates in MZ twins ## Footnote These factors play a significant role in anxiety disorders.

Question 33

What role does **GABA** play in anxiety?

Answer 33

It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety ## Footnote Benzodiazepines (Valium, Ativan) enhance GABA's effects.

Question 34

What is the **fear network** in panic disorder?

Answer 34

Responses to fear are mediated by the amygdala ## Footnote It involves interaction with the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex.

Question 35

What is the treatment approach of **systematic desensitization**?

Answer 35

* Fear-stimulus hierarchy * Gradual exposure * Flooding ## Footnote It is used as a treatment for phobias.

Question 36

What are the different **types of treatment approaches** for anxiety disorders?

Answer 36

* Psychodynamic approaches * Humanistic approaches * Biological approaches * Anti-anxiety medications (SSRI, SNRI) ## Footnote These approaches address anxiety from various perspectives.

Question 37

What are the **cognitive and behavior-based approaches** used in treatment?

Answer 37

* Treatment of agoraphobia * Treatment of PTSD * Treatment of OCD * Treatment of Generalized Anxiety * Treatment of Separation Anxiety Disorder * Treatment of Panic Disorder ## Footnote These approaches focus on modifying thoughts and behaviors related to anxiety.