Psychology Chapter on Anxiety Disorders

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Questions and Answers

Which characteristic distinguishes normal anxiety from abnormal anxiety?

Normal anxiety has more features than abnormal anxiety.

Abnormal anxiety involves apprehension that is out of proportion to the external stimulus. (correct)

Normal anxiety is always severe and debilitating.

Apprehension is always present in normal anxiety.

What is a notable feature of normal anxiety?

It always leads to abnormal behavior.

its features are few. (correct)

It includes numerous distressing symptoms.

It is often irrational and excessive.

In what way does the apprehension of abnormal anxiety manifest?

It usually resolves quickly after the stimulus disappears.

It is closely tied to realistic threats.

It is consistently out of proportion to the external stimulus. (correct)

It is mostly occasional and manageable.

How can normal anxiety be effectively defined?

Anxiety that is proportional to external stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common complication associated with anxiety disorders?

House-Bound Syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of individuals with anxiety disorders that also exhibit depressive symptoms?

30% Signup and view all the answers

What is generally true about the features associated with abnormal anxiety?

They can include a wide range of symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Which medication type is NOT typically used in the treatment of anxiety disorders?

Beta-blockers Signup and view all the answers

What therapy technique involves creating a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations?

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Signup and view all the answers

In individuals with anxiety disorders, what is the rate of comorbidity with panic disorder?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a phobia?

Excessive and irrational fear Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of phobia?

Feeling calm and collected Signup and view all the answers

How is a phobia typically recognized by the individual experiencing it?

As an excessive and irrational fear Signup and view all the answers

What kind of impact does a phobia have on daily functioning?

It causes distress and dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes avoidance in the context of phobia?

Avoidance often occurs while acknowledging the fear is irrational Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the social situations in this context?

They are avoided or endured with intense fear or anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration for the fear, anxiety, or avoidance to be considered significant?

Persistent, lasting for 6 months or more Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response is common in social situations as described?

Intense fear or anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the action taken towards social situations in this context?

Social situations are either avoided or endured. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the persistence of fear or anxiety important in this context?

It shows that the individual may be experiencing a significant issue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of intrusive thoughts in certain conditions?

Sexual or blasphemous content Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is identified as the most effective treatment for certain mental health conditions?

Pharmaco-behavioral approach Signup and view all the answers

Which class of drugs is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive conditions?

Antiobsessional drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with certain psychological conditions?

Strong sense of well-being Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the first steps in treating mental health conditions according to the provided content?

Explaining the nature of the illness Signup and view all the answers

Which class of antidepressants does moclobemide belong to?

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by a marked irrational persistent fear of a specific object or situation?

Phobia Signup and view all the answers

What is a required duration for a phobia to be diagnosed?

6 months Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a characteristic of phobia?

Presence of associated psychiatric problems Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is an example of a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)?

Venlafaxine Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, worry, and apprehension.
Fear is a response to a known, external, definite threat.
Anxiety warns of impending danger, allowing a person to prepare for the threat.
Phobias involve irrational fears, avoidance, and are recognized as excessive.

Normal vs. Abnormal Anxiety

Normal Anxiety: Apprehension is proportional to the external stimulus, and anxiety is brief and not severe. Attention is focused on the external threat, not the person's feelings.
Abnormal Anxiety: Apprehension is out of proportion to the stimulus, anxiety is prolonged or severe (or both), and attention is focused on the person's response to the threat.

Physical Features of Anxiety

Chest: Chest discomfort, difficulty inhaling.
Cardiovascular: Palpitations, awareness of missed heartbeats, cold extremities.
Neurological: Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, tremor, blurred vision.
Gastrointestinal: Disturbed appetite, dysphagia, epigastric discomfort, nausea, vomiting, disturbed bowel habits.
Genitourinary: Increased urine frequency and urgency, decreased libido, impotence, dysmenorrhea.
Musculoskeletal: Muscle and joint pain.
Sleep: Insomnia, bad dreams.
Skin: Sweating, itching, hot/cold sensations.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)
Social phobia
Specific phobia
Anxiety disorder due to general medical conditions
Substance-induced anxiety disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Acute Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Epidemiology of Anxiety

1 in 4 people experience anxiety
Females are affected more than males (30%-19%)
Age range 20s-30s
Often presented more in primary care centers (PCC)
Lifetime prevalence of 8%
Ratio between male and females approximately 1:2
Age of onset: late adolescence and early 20s

Etiology of Anxiety

Genetic factors (25% of first-degree relatives)
Biological factors (GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine, basal ganglia, and frontal cortex)
Childhood experiences
Psychological factors (personality, thought patterns)
Social stressors

Comorbidity of Anxiety

50-90% of individuals with anxiety also have other anxiety disorders
50-70% of individuals with anxiety also have major depressive disorder (MDD)
Substance use issues are common

Differential Diagnosis (DDx)

Medical disorders (hyperthyroidism, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, anemia, medication side effects)
Substance use (stimulants and depressants)
Depressive disorders
Adjustment disorders
Personality disorders
Psychotic disorders

Management of Anxiety

Rule out or manage any organic causes
Psychotherapy options (reassurance, explanation, behavior therapy (relaxation training), cognitive therapy (correcting distorted thoughts))
Pharmacotherapy (benzodiazepines, buspirone, antidepressants, beta-blockers)

Course and Prognosis of Anxiety

Variable, can be chronic with fluctuating severity, worsening with stress but improving with age and treatment.
Some improve within weeks, others have a prolonged course (symptoms persist for 6 months or more)
Prognosis is excellent with therapy

Panic Disorder

Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
Panic attack: sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort typically peaking within 5-15 minutes.
Includes somatic (physical) and cognitive symptoms.
Common symptoms: Palpitation; chest pain; shortness of breath (SOB); feeling of choking; shaking; chills or hot flushes; numbness or tingling; feeling dizzy or unsteady; fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying.
Triggers can be spontaneous or caused by excitement, hyperventilation, emotional trauma, sleep disturbances, or substance use.

Agoraphobia

Fear of places or situations from which escape might be difficult or help might not be readily available.
Individuals may avoid these places or endure them with intense fear or anxiety due to concerns of a possible panic attack
Common situations include public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being outside the home alone.
It is generally considered a disabling and chronic condition. Prevalence: 2-6%.

Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where scrutiny by others is possible.
Marked fear of acting in a way or showing anxiety symptoms that will be negatively evaluated by others (e.g., humiliation, embarrassment, rejection, offending others).
People may avoid these situations or endure them with intense anxiety and distress.
Often includes anticipatory anxiety.
Physical symptoms include some of the common anxiety features like palpitation, trembling, sweating and flushing. Prevalence 13%.

Specific Phobia

Marked irrational persistent fear of a specific object or situation (animals, storms, heights, closed spaces, injury, blood, hospitals, illness and death).
Avoidance of the feared objects or situations is common.
Prevalence in general population: 7-9%, 5% of children and 16% of adolescents. Ratio between male and females approximately 1:2.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions: persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that cause significant distress.
Compulsions: repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession.
Examples include repeated washing, checking, ordering, counting, or symmetry concerns.

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Description

Test your knowledge on anxiety disorders with this quiz covering the distinctions between normal and abnormal anxiety, symptoms, treatment, and comorbid conditions. Explore key features and the impact of phobias on daily life. Enhance your understanding of mental health concepts through these insightful questions.