Psychology Chapter: Anxiety Disorders

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Questions and Answers

Which technique is NOT included in social skills training for individuals with social anxiety disorder?

Role-playing exercises

The exposure technique (correct)

Feedback and reinforcement

Social interaction practice

What does the sociocultural approach to generalized anxiety disorders fail to explain?

The prevalence of anxiety disorders in society

The biological causes of anxiety

The effectiveness of therapy for anxiety

Why everyone who experiences danger doesn’t develop generalized anxiety (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a behavioral technique used in social skills training?

Behavioral rehearsal

Modeling

Cognitive restructuring

The exposure technique (correct)

According to the cognitive-behavioral perspective, individuals with panic disorder may interpret bodily sensations as:

Indicators of a medical catastrophe Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is more likely to suffer from specific disorders than others?

Elderly Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of individuals with social anxiety disorder?

Avoidance of social interactions Signup and view all the answers

Why might the sociocultural approach to anxiety be limited?

It does not consider individual differences in behavior Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder often addresses what specific issue?

Misinterpretation of bodily sensations Signup and view all the answers

What therapy technique involves a therapist demonstrating how to confront a feared object, as in the case of Drew and the snakes?

Modeling Signup and view all the answers

In the context of phobia treatment, what does the virtual reality technique help to simulate?

Real-world situations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a possible outcome for treatment in individuals with agoraphobia compared to those with specific phobias?

Faster recovery rates Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of therapy involving virtual reality for phobia treatment?

It allows controlled exposure to feared stimuli Signup and view all the answers

When comparing treatment effects, what is often observed in persons with specific phobias as opposed to those with agoraphobia?

Higher effectiveness of exposure therapy Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes fear from anxiety?

Fear involves a specific present threat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of individuals who will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime?

31% Signup and view all the answers

What phobia is illustrated by Arthur's inability to enter grocery stores?

Agoraphobia Signup and view all the answers

For a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, how long must symptoms persist according to the DSM-5-TR?

At least 6 months Signup and view all the answers

Which category encompasses the most common mental disorders in the United States?

Anxiety disorders Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT classified as an anxiety disorder?

Depression Signup and view all the answers

How is generalized anxiety disorder different from other anxiety disorders?

It is not related to specific situations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of agoraphobia?

Fear of public places Signup and view all the answers

What does the phenomenon of preparedness in phobias suggest?

Phobias are more easily developed for certain stimuli than others. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes systematic desensitization?

Gradually exposing a person to a feared object while practicing relaxation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of relaxation training in the context of phobia treatment?

To induce a state of calmness to combat anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

In the process of treating arachnophobia, what comes after constructing a fear hierarchy?

Gradual pairing of spiders with relaxation techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of prepared phobias?

They are often associated with deep-rooted evolutionary fears. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is a common method for dealing with phobic disorders?

Systematic desensitization with relaxation strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What would NOT be an appropriate component of treating someone with a phobia?

Discussing the fear in depth without addressing coping strategies. Signup and view all the answers

How does systematic desensitization begin?

By developing relaxation and coping strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What concept do many cognitive-behavioral therapists believe is a contributing factor to generalized anxiety disorder?

Maladaptive assumptions Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the inaccurate and inappropriate beliefs held by individuals with psychological issues?

Basic irrational assumptions Signup and view all the answers

When a person perceives every setback as a total disaster, which type of assumption are they displaying?

Irrational assumptions Signup and view all the answers

What type of assumption is displayed by someone who believes they must be flawless in all areas of life?

Basic irrational assumptions Signup and view all the answers

What therapeutic approach involves clients challenging and replacing faulty assumptions?

Rational-emotive therapy Signup and view all the answers

What therapy was developed by Albert Ellis to address generalized anxiety disorder?

Rational-emotive behavior therapy Signup and view all the answers

What do generalized anxiety disorder and basic irrational assumptions have in common?

Both involve distorted thinking patterns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of basic irrational assumptions?

Believing that one can control all outcomes Signup and view all the answers

How does rational-emotive therapy aim to alleviate anxiety?

By identifying and reshaping irrational beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive distortion involves viewing a situation as entirely negative with no positive outcome?

Catastrophizing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Preparedness

People are more likely to develop phobias of things like spiders and the dark than objects like computers and radios.
This is an example of preparedness: a biological predisposition to develop certain fears.

Systematic Desensitization

A form of therapy used to treat phobias.
It involves three steps: relaxation training, fear hierarchy construction, and graded pairings of feared objects and relaxation responses.

Fear vs. Anxiety

Fear involves a specific, present threat.
Anxiety involves a future, anticipated threat.

Anxiety Disorders

Nearly 31% of people will develop an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

Agoraphobia

A fear of open spaces or situations where escape might be difficult.
People with agoraphobia often avoid public places like grocery stores.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Characterized by persistent and excessive worry over multiple domains of life.
For a diagnosis of GAD, symptoms must be present for at least 6 months.

Most Common Mental Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the United States.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Not considered an anxiety disorder despite its association with anxiety.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Social skills training for social anxiety disorder involves behavioral strategies to improve social interactions.
Exposure therapy is not a component of social skills training.

Sociocultural Perspective on GAD

The sociocultural perspective can't fully explain why not everyone exposed to danger develops GAD.

Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective on Panic Disorder

Individuals with panic disorder may be hyper-sensitive to bodily sensations.
They may misinterpret these sensations as signs of a medical catastrophe.

Anxiety Disorders and Age

Elderly individuals are more likely to experience anxiety disorders than other age groups.

Maladaptive Assumptions and GAD

Many cognitive-behavioral therapists believe that GAD is caused by maladaptive assumptions.

Basic Irrational Assumptions

Inaccurate and inappropriate beliefs held by people with various psychological problems are referred to as basic irrational assumptions.

Examples of Irrational Assumptions

"Everything is a disaster and nothing good will ever happen."
"I must be competent and perfect in all aspects of my life."

Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET)

A form of therapy developed by Albert Ellis that challenges faulty assumptions and replaces them with healthier ones.

Treatment for GAD

Ellis's therapy for GAD involves direct confrontation of irrational beliefs and teaching the client to challenge them.

Modeling in Phobia Therapy

A therapist might model how to handle a feared object (like a snake) to help a phobic person overcome their fear.

Virtual Reality Therapy for Phobias

Uses computer graphics to simulate real-world situations in therapy, allowing phobic individuals to confront their fears in a controlled environment.

Treatment Outcomes for Phobias

Individuals with agoraphobia tend to have poorer treatment outcomes compared to those with specific phobias.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of anxiety disorders in this quiz. Delve into concepts such as preparedness, systematic desensitization, and the distinctions between fear and anxiety. Test your understanding of phobias and associated disorders like agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).