Neuroendocrinology of Anxiety

Questions and Answers

Which neurotransmitter is associated with increased symptoms of anxiety?

Dopamine

Noradrenaline (correct)

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

What does fear conditioning suggest about neutral stimuli?

They automatically trigger a conditioned response.

They are never associated with fear.

They are not significant in psychological explanations of anxiety.

They can become conditioned stimuli when paired with an aversive stimulus. (correct)

What is a characteristic result of escape/avoidance behaviors in anxiety?

Decreased overall anxiety levels.

Inhibition of negative reinforcement.

Increased exposure to non-aversive situations.

Maintenance and reinforcement of anxiety. (correct)

Which type of cognitive bias involves a tendency to negatively interpret ambiguous stimuli?

Interpretation bias Signup and view all the answers

What role do gut hormones like cholecystokinin play in anxiety?

They have a modulatory effect on anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

What does a confirmation bias indicate in the context of anxiety?

Selective attention to confirm beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism through which classical conditioning contributes to anxiety?

Creating associations between neutral stimuli and aversive stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

How is attention bias manifested in individuals with anxiety?

Focusing excessively on perceived threats. Signup and view all the answers

What is a core symptom of Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

Persistent worry that is disproportionate to any inherent risk Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom required for a diagnosis of Panic Disorder?

Persistent worry Signup and view all the answers

How long must symptoms be present to consider a diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

At least 6 months Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Fear of unfamiliar people Signup and view all the answers

What additional symptom is associated with Panic Disorder aside from repeated panic attacks?

Nausea or abdominal pain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is commonly associated with Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

Muscle tension Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Social Anxiety Disorder from other anxiety disorders?

Disproportionate fear of embarrassment Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about panic attacks associated with Panic Disorder?

They are always triggered by external events Signup and view all the answers

Which anxiety disorder has a prevalence rate of 6.6% in the UK population?

Generalised Anxiety Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which anxiety disorder prevalence rate among Foundation Year 1 doctors was reported to rise from 22.8% in 2010 to 29.6% in 2017?

Generalised Anxiety Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What diagnosis does NOT belong in the top five anxiety disorders according to the DSM-5?

Acute Stress Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What biological and psychological treatment method is commonly applied to anxiety disorders?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of medical students were reported to have anxiety, according to the national study?

47.1% Signup and view all the answers

Which group is indicated to have a high prevalence of anxiety disorders ranging between 42-79%?

Neurodiverse Group Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT part of the NICE CKS guidelines for treating anxiety disorders?

Psychodynamic Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

Excessive worry about various aspects of life Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor in the psychosocial theory of anxiety?

Adverse life events Signup and view all the answers

Which type of learning is most closely associated with the social learning theory in phobia acquisition?

Vicarious learning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a commonly prescribed type of antidepressant for anxiety treatment?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the side effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Increased suicidal ideations in young people Signup and view all the answers

What do SSRIs do to serotonin transmission in the brain?

Prevent presynaptic reuptake Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment method does not fall under biological treatments for anxiety?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of pharmacological treatments in anxiety disorders?

To modify neurological responses Signup and view all the answers

What does the psychosocial theory suggest about unresolved life crises?

They contribute to acquired anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Challenging thoughts and biases in the present Signup and view all the answers

What therapeutic approach is particularly effective for managing PTSD?

Eye-Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) Signup and view all the answers

How does psychotherapy/counselling primarily differ from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Psychotherapy emphasizes past experiences while CBT emphasizes the present. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step mentioned in the NICE CKS guidelines for treating anxiety disorders?

Chronic medication treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the first recommended line of therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) according to the guidelines?

Self-help techniques Signup and view all the answers

Which technique encourages focusing on breathing to aid in anxiety management?

Square breathing Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of counselling as a therapeutic method?

To provide a space for active listening and decision-making Signup and view all the answers

In which way does CBT address the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?

It suggests a connection between distorted thoughts and resultant behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neuroendocrinology and Anxiety

Noradrenaline increases in anxiety, triggering autonomic nervous system symptoms.
Gut hormones like cholecystokinin and substance P have a modulatory effect on anxiety.

Psychological Explanations of Anxiety

Cognitive theories categorize anxiety explanations into classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and cognitive biases.

Cognitive Theory - Classical Conditioning

Fear conditioning occurs when a neutral unconditioned stimulus is repeatedly paired with an aversive conditioned stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response even without the unconditioned stimulus.

Cognitive Theory - Operant Conditioning

Escape and avoidance behaviors are negatively reinforced when individuals remove themselves from aversive situations, maintaining anxiety levels.

Cognitive Theory - Cognitive Biases

Attention bias leads to a focus on threats, interpretation bias results in negative interpretations of ambiguous stimuli, and confirmation bias causes selective attention to beliefs. These biases correlate with frontal hypo-responsivity and amygdala hyper-responsivity.

Importance of Anxiety Disorders

Pre-pandemic data indicated a 6.6% prevalence of anxiety disorders in the UK.
In Foundation Year 1 doctors, prevalence rose from 22.8% in 2010 to 29.6% in 2017.
Medical students exhibit higher anxiety rates (47.1%) compared to non-medical peers (39%).
Among neurodiverse individuals, anxiety prevalence ranges from 42-79%.

DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders

Major anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and PTSD/Acute Stress Disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

UK prevalence: 7.2%.
Characterized by persistent worry disproportionate to risk and at least three of the following: restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance for a duration of at least six months.

Panic Disorder

Involves repeated panic attacks accompanied by intense fear and avoidance behaviors.
Symptoms include airway and respiratory sensations, circulatory symptoms (palpitations), cognitive symptoms (depersonalization), and abdominal discomfort for at least one month.

Defined by a persistent fear of social or performance situations leading to possible scrutiny, accompanied by maladaptive behaviors and an awareness of excessive fear.

Psychosocial Theory of Anxiety

Adverse life events can trigger fear or trauma responses and earlier unresolved crises contribute to acquired anxiety, leading to cognitive and neurological adaptations.

Vicarious learning, or observational learning, plays a role in acquiring common phobias such as fear of spiders (arachnophobia) and heights (acrophobia).

Biopsychological Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

Treatments are grouped into biological and psychological categories.

Biological Treatments

Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, fluoxetine), increase serotonin availability, with potential side effects including gastrointestinal issues and heightened suicidal ideation in young individuals.
Anxiolytics and square breathing techniques can also be employed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Focuses on present thoughts and behaviors, aiming to challenge cognitive biases that maintain anxiety.

Psychotherapy and Counselling

Psychodynamic psychotherapy explores past experiences affecting current psychological states, while counselling promotes personal growth and healthier decision-making.

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Specifically designed for PTSD, this structured approach helps patients process distressing memories while focusing on external stimuli.

NICE Guidelines for Treating Anxiety Disorders

Treatment steps include self-help strategies, psychological therapies (primarily CBT), and medications (SSRIs as first-line when other steps fail).

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Description

This quiz focuses on the neuroendocrinological aspects of anxiety, specifically the role of neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline and gut hormones like cholecystokinin and substance P. Explore their effects on the autonomic nervous system and anxiety modulation. Perfect for psychology students looking to deepen their understanding of anxiety mechanisms.

Neuroendocrinology of Anxiety - Part 3