Abnormal Psychology Chapter 5

Questions and Answers

What is anxiety?

Apprehension about a future threat

Which of the following are types of anxiety disorders? (Select all that apply)

Specific and social phobias (correct)

Panic disorder and agoraphobia (correct)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (correct)

Generalized anxiety disorder (correct)

Posttraumatic stress disorder (correct)

Define phobia.

Disruptive fear of a particular object or situation that is out of proportion to the actual threat.

What is specific phobia?

Unwarranted, excessive fear of a specific object or situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is social phobia?

Persistent, intense fear of social situations and fear of negative evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes panic disorder?

Frequent panic attacks unrelated to specific situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a panic attack?

Sudden, intense episode of apprehension and terror, reaching peak intensity within 10 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

What are uncued attacks?

Panic attacks that occur unexpectedly without warning. Signup and view all the answers

What defines generalized anxiety disorder?

Involves chronic, excessive, uncontrollable worry lasting at least 6 months. Signup and view all the answers

What are common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?

Restlessness, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, tires easily, sleep disturbance. Signup and view all the answers

Define OCD-obsessions.

Intrusive, persistent, uncontrollable thoughts or urges experienced as irrational. Signup and view all the answers

What are OCD-compulsions?

Impulse to repeat certain behaviors or mental acts to avoid distress. Signup and view all the answers

What is PTSD?

Extreme response to a severe stressor involving anxiety, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and emotional numbing. Signup and view all the answers

What are the categories of symptoms for PTSD?

Re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of stimuli, emotional numbing, and increased arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is acute stress disorder?

Symptoms similar to PTSD occurring between 2 days and 1 month after trauma. Signup and view all the answers

What does comorbidity mean in the context of anxiety disorders?

¾ of those with anxiety disorder meet criteria for another disorder. Signup and view all the answers

Name a risk factor for developing anxiety disorders.

Genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors, or behavioral inhibition. Signup and view all the answers

What are anxiolytics?

Drugs that reduce anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications may be used to treat anxiety? (Select all that apply)

SSRIs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anxiety Disorders Overview

Anxiety is characterized by apprehension regarding future threats.
Includes a variety of anxiety disorders such as specific phobias, social phobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Phobia Types

Phobia entails disruptive fear of particular objects or situations, with fear often disproportionate to actual threats and causing significant distress.
Specific phobias involve excessive fear of specific items or scenarios (e.g., snakes, blood) leading to avoidance or intense anxiety.
Social phobia refers to a debilitating fear of social interactions due to fear of negative evaluation, often starting in adolescence.

Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

Panic disorder is marked by recurrent panic attacks that are not linked to specific triggers.
Panic attacks feature sudden terror, with peak symptoms occurring within 10 minutes alongside physical manifestations such as sweating and difficulty breathing.
Uncued attacks occur unexpectedly; cued attacks are triggered by specific situations.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD involves chronic, uncontrollable worry persisting for at least six months, interfering with daily activities.
Common symptoms include restlessness, sleep disturbances, irritability, and muscle tension.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD is defined by intrusive, uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors intended to relieve anxiety (compulsions).
Common compulsions include washing, checking, and repeating actions.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD results from exposure to traumatic events and includes re-experiencing, avoidance of related stimuli, and increased arousal.
Symptoms manifest as nightmares, emotional numbing, and hypervigilance.

Acute Stress Disorder

Similar to PTSD, with symptoms occurring between 2 days and 1 month post-trauma.

Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with other disorders; approximately 60% of affected individuals also experience major depression.
Other associated conditions include substance abuse and specific personality disorders.

Gender and Sociocultural Influences

Women are twice as likely as men to experience anxiety disorders, attributed to factors like increased reporting, higher rates of childhood trauma, and biological stress responses.

Risk Factors

Genetics contribute significantly to anxiety disorders; heritability rates are 20-50%.
Neurobiological aspects include fear circuit overactivity in the amygdala and deficiencies in the medial prefrontal cortex. Key neurotransmitters involved are serotonin, GABA, and norepinephrine.

Psychological Assessment and Treatment

Effective assessment involves confronting the anxiety trigger in various settings.
Systematic desensitization comprises relaxation techniques coupled with exposure to feared stimuli.

Treatment Modalities

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is beneficial across various anxiety disorders and enhances treatment for social phobia.
Treatment approaches for GAD include relaxation training and CBT, while OCD often involves exposure paired with ritual prevention.
PTSD is treated via direct exposure to traumatic memories and cognitive therapy.

Pharmacological Options

Anxiolytics are drugs aimed at anxiety reduction, including benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax) and antidepressants such as SSRIs and tricyclics.

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Test your knowledge on anxiety and its disorders with this flashcard quiz. You'll encounter key terms such as anxiety, phobias, and various anxiety disorders. Perfect for students of Abnormal Psychology preparing for exams.