Psychology Chapter: Anxiety and Mood Disorders

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary difference between free-floating anxiety and fear?

Free-floating anxiety is pervasive and generalized, whereas fear is anxiety caused by a specifically recognized and realistic danger.

How does panic differ from other forms of anxiety?

Panic is characterized by acute, intense attacks of anxiety with overwhelming feelings of dread, whereas other forms may be more generalized or less intense.

Describe the state of apathy and its impact on emotional engagement.

Apathy is marked by indifference and a lack of concern or enthusiasm, significantly diminishing emotional engagement and motivation.

What physiological disturbances are commonly associated with insomnia?

Physiological disturbances related to insomnia include difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, and early-morning awakening. Signup and view all the answers

What role does agitation play in the experience of anxiety?

Agitation represents severe anxiety that leads to motor restlessness and is often associated with heightened tension or emotional strain. Signup and view all the answers

How does ambivalence contribute to indecisiveness in individuals?

Ambivalence involves the coexistence of opposing impulses, leading to uncertainty and indecisiveness about choices or actions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between hyperphagia and anorexia.

Hyperphagia is characterized by an increase in appetite and pathological overeating, while anorexia involves a decrease in appetite and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the types of insomnia and briefly describe each.

The types include initial insomnia (difficulty falling asleep), middle insomnia (trouble staying asleep), and terminal insomnia (early-morning awakening). Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations?

Hypnagogic hallucinations occur while falling asleep, while hypnopompic hallucinations happen upon awakening from sleep. Signup and view all the answers

How does hypochondria manifest differently from an actual health disorder?

Hypochondria involves an exaggerated concern over health based on unrealistic interpretations of bodily sensations, unlike actual health disorders which have identifiable organic pathologies. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an obsession in the context of psychological disturbances?

An obsession is characterized by the pathological persistence of an irresistible thought that intrudes upon an individual's consciousness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of compulsions in anxiety disorders?

Compulsions serve as a pathological need to act on an impulse in response to an obsession, and they aim to prevent feared outcomes, often reinforcing anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Define coprolalia and its context in psychological conditions.

Coprolalia is the compulsive utterance of obscene words, often associated with disorders such as Tourette syndrome. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of phobia and its impact on behavior.

Phobia is a persistent and irrational dread of a specific stimulus, leading to an overwhelming desire to avoid it, which can severely limit daily functioning. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a hallucination from other sensory perceptions?

A hallucination is a false sensory perception not linked to real external stimuli, and it can occur across various modalities, including auditory and visual. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'unio mystica' refer to in psychological experiences?

Unio mystica refers to an oceanic feeling of mystic unity with an infinite power, providing a profound sense of connection. Signup and view all the answers

How do the signs of psychopathology differ from the symptoms experienced by patients?

Signs are objective observations made by clinicians, while symptoms are the subjective experiences reported by patients. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a state of euphoria in the context of psychopathology?

Euphoria is characterized by an exaggerated feeling of well-being or elation that is often inappropriate to the situation. Signup and view all the answers

Define depression in terms of its impact on cognitive function and emotional wellbeing.

Depression often leads to persistent sadness, loss of interest, and impairments in cognitive functions such as concentration and decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What physiological disturbances might be associated with anxiety disorders?

Common physiological disturbances include increased heart rate, sweating, tremors, and gastrointestinal issues. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how panic attacks are identified as a disturbance of consciousness.

Panic attacks can create a state of confusion and intense fear, leading to disorientation and altered perceptions of reality. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the concept of somnolence play in understanding anxiety disorders?

Somnolence presents as excessive sleepiness, which can impact an individual's ability to cope with anxiety and stress. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how disturbances in consciousness can affect a person's perception of time and identity during depressive episodes.

During depressive episodes, individuals may experience disorientation regarding their sense of time and personal identity, leading to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Signup and view all the answers

How might a twilight state influence the experiences of someone undergoing extreme emotional distress, such as during a panic attack?

A twilight state may cause an individual to experience hallucinations or confused thoughts, intensifying the emotional distress felt during a panic attack. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Free-floating anxiety: Severe, pervasive, generalized anxiety not tied to a specific trigger; also known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Fear: Anxiety stemming from consciously recognized, realistic danger.
Agitation: Severe anxiety with motor restlessness and tension.
Tension: Mental or emotional strain seeking relief through action.
Apathy: Indifference; lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Panic: Intense anxiety attack with overwhelming dread and autonomic discharge; characterized by chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal problems.
Ambivalence: Coexistence of opposing impulses toward the same thing; experiencing uncertainty or indecisiveness.

Physiological Disturbances Associated with Mood

Anorexia: Loss of appetite; eating disorder characterized by low body weight, body image distortion, and fear of weight gain.
Hyperphagia: Increased appetite and food intake; pathological overeating.
Insomnia: Inability to sleep; categorized as initial (falling asleep), middle (sleeping through the night), or terminal (early morning awakening).
Hypersomnia: Excessive sleeping; characterized by recurrent episodes of daytime or nighttime sleep.

Disturbances of Consciousness

Apperception: Perception modified by personal emotions and thoughts.
Sensorium: State of cognitive functioning of the special senses.
Disorientation: Confusion about time, place, or personal identity.
Clouding of consciousness: Impaired clear-mindedness with perceptual and attitudinal disturbances.
Stupor: Unresponsiveness and unawareness of surroundings.
Delirium: Confused, disoriented reaction with fear and hallucinations.
Coma: Profound, prolonged unconsciousness; unresponsiveness to stimuli.
Coma vigil (akinetic mutism): Appears awake with open eyes but is unresponsive.
Twilight state: Disturbed consciousness with hallucinations; a transitional phase between wakefulness and sleep.
Dreamlike state: Sensations, thoughts, and perceptions resembling dreaming; often associated with complex partial seizures.
Somnolence: Abnormal drowsiness; excessive sleepiness.
Confusion: Inappropriate reactions to stimuli; disordered orientation.
Drowsiness: Impaired awareness with desire to sleep.
Hypochondria: Exaggerated health concerns not based on organic pathology.

Other Psychological Disturbances

Obsession: Pathological persistence of an irresistible thought.
Compulsion: Pathological need to act on a resisted impulse; repetitive behavior to prevent something.
Coprolalia: Compulsive utterance of obscene words.
Phobia: Persistent, irrational dread of a specific stimulus or situation.
Noesis: Revelation with illumination and a sense of being chosen to lead.
Unio mystica: Feeling of mystic unity with an infinite power.

Disturbances of Perception

Hallucination: False sensory perception without external stimuli.
- Hypnagogic hallucination: False perception while falling asleep (generally nonpathological).
- Hypnopompic hallucination: False perception while awakening (generally nonpathological).
- Auditory hallucination: False perception of sound (most common in psychiatric disorders).
- Visual hallucination: False perception of sight (most common in medical disorders).
- Olfactory hallucination: False perception of smell (most common in medical disorders).
- Gustatory hallucination: False perception of taste (most common in medical disorders).
- Tactile (haptic) hallucination: False perception of touch; examples include phantom limb and formication.