Psychology of Phobias and Agoraphobia

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of phobias?

Distress that interferes with functioning

Fears that are always reasonable and proportionate to the situation (correct)

Intense and persistent fear of particular objects, activities, or situations

Greater desire to avoid the feared object, situation, or thoughts about it

What percentage of the U.S. population experiences symptoms of specific phobias on a yearly basis?

32%

13%

9% (correct)

What is the most common characteristic of agoraphobia?

Fear of heights

Fear of social situations

Fear of being in enclosed spaces

Fear of being in public places or situations where escape might be difficult (correct)

What is the average percentage of people who experience symptoms of agoraphobia during their lifetime?

1.3% (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a category of phobia mentioned in the text?

Specific phobia (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three primary ways in which the fear of agoraphobic situations develops?

Modeling, stimulus generalization, and classical conditioning (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the information provided, what process is defined as learning through observation and imitation?

Modeling (A) Signup and view all the answers

What causes anxiety and fear of agoraphobic situations?

The fear of being unable to escape from a situation or get help in case of panic, embarrassment, or disabling symptoms (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what condition can fears or phobias develop, if they are not managed effectively?

Generalized anxiety disorder (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic timeframe for which symptoms of agoraphobia must persist?

At least 6 months (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key factor in the development of phobias?

Learned through conditioning (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'entrenched' refer to in the context of phobias?

Deeply rooted and difficult to change (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of cognitive-behavioral theories regarding phobias?

The behavioral dimension of phobias (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between GABA and the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Low levels of GABA can lead to excessive communication in brain circuits, potentially contributing to GAD. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What evidence from family studies supports the biological model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Children with GAD are more likely to have parents with GAD, suggesting a genetic component. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of benzodiazepines on the brain?

Benzodiazepines act as agonists, binding to receptors for neurotransmitters like GABA to increase their inhibitory effects. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation in interpreting the reactions of animal subjects in research on anxiety?

Animals do not experience anxiety in the same way as humans, making it difficult to compare their responses. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between fear and a phobia?

Fear is a normal response to a specific threat, while a phobia is an irrational fear of a specific object or situation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How might the hyperactivity of fear circuits contribute to the development of GAD?

Hyperactive fear circuits lead to a constant state of heightened arousal, making individuals more susceptible to anxiety. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary challenges in studying the biological basis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

The competing explanations for GAD, including both biological and environmental factors. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine activity potentially help with GAD?

Serotonin and norepinephrine are involved in mood regulation, and increasing their activity helps balance mood and reduce anxiety. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of assumptions do individuals with GAD tend to hold?

Assumptions that imply imminent danger (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one major difference between worry and problem-solving, as described in the text?

Worry focuses on potential threats, while problem-solving seeks out solutions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the research, what is the impact of worrying about a personal problem on high-trait worriers?

It reduces their intention to implement solutions (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does worrying differ from adaptive problem-solving, as described in the text?

Worry often leads to fixation on worst-case scenarios instead of finding solutions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about worry, according to the text?

Worry is a helpful strategy for confronting problems. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which of these is NOT considered a maladaptive assumption associated with GAD?

It is important to strive for excellence in all aspects of life. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the prevalence of worry among college students?

Most students worry for less than 10 minutes at a time. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential consequence of worry, as described in the text?

Reduced intention to implement solutions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a physical change associated with anxiety?

Decreased heart rate (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between anxiety and fear?

Anxiety is more generalized and often occurs without a clear threat, while fear is a response to a specific, identifiable threat. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the amygdala's role in fear?

The amygdala triggers the release of stress hormones, which lead to physical reactions associated with fear. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why are fear-producing activities like haunted houses considered 'controlled fear'?

Because the participants are in a safe environment with controlled risks. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The text states that most people experience anxiety when they are faced with a 'serious threat.' What does this mean?

A potential danger that could cause significant harm to their well-being. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is anxiety different from fear in terms of its duration?

Anxiety typically lasts longer than fear. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a 'serious threat' that could trigger anxiety?

Having to give a presentation in front of a large audience. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the provided content, what is the primary function of the nervous system in fear?

The nervous system is responsible for controlling the physical responses to fear (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the psychodynamic perspective, what is the main goal of therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

To reduce fear of id impulses and gain better control over them. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a core principle of the Humanistic perspective on GAD?

Maladaptive assumptions and irrational beliefs are the main contributors to GAD. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Psychodynamic therapy for GAD, what does 'transference' refer to?

The patient's tendency to project their feelings onto the therapist. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the cognitive behavioral perspective approach the treatment of GAD?

By focusing on the modification of behavioral patterns and irrational thoughts. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the core difference between Freudian and Object-relations therapy within the psychodynamic approach to GAD?

Freudians primarily focus on controlling id impulses, while Object-relations therapists focus on resolving early relationship problems. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Albert Ellis, what contributes to the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Maladaptive or basic irrational assumptions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT supported by controlled studies?

Carl Rogers' explanation of GAD has strong support from research. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the character "Fear" in the animated film "Inside Out" relate to GAD?

Fear embodies the extreme worry and apprehension associated with GAD. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a more generalized and often occurs without a clear or immediate threat.
It's a response to a perceived future danger or something uncertain, leading to ongoing worry or unease.
Fear has a direct cause, while anxiety is more associated with anticipation, and its symptoms can be persistent, even in the absence of a present threat.
Anxiety is the central nervous system's physiological and emotional response to a vague sense of threat or danger.

What Anxiety Feels Like

Feelings of tension
Worried thoughts
Increased blood pressure
Sweating
Upset stomach
Rapid heart rate

Comer & Comer (2021) Explanation

Sometimes, a person can't pinpoint a specific cause for their alarm, but still feel tense and edgy.
This vague sense of being in danger is usually called anxiety.
It shares similar features to fear, including increases in breathing, muscular tension, and perspiration.

Fear

Fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat.
It's the central nervous system's physiological and emotional response to a serious threat to one's well-being.
Fear triggers strong mental and physical reactions.
It leads to an increased heart rate, faster breathing, and changes in blood flow (fight or flight response).
The amygdala activates the nervous system and releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline when fear is recognized.

Fearful Delights

Some people like tension-producing experiences, as long as they are in control.
Examples: Fear Farm, Haunted Houses (e.g., The Gauntlet, AZ), Field of Screams, Escape Rooms, Horror Films

Anxiety-Related Disorders are a group of mental health conditions that significantly impact daily functioning and well-being.
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but when it becomes overwhelming and persistent, it can lead to disorders that require clinical attention.
Phobias: Intense, irrational fears that lead to avoidance behavior
Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social situations causing discomfort and avoidance
Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks characterized by sudden and intense fear.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A disorder marked by persistent and excessive feelings of anxiety and worry about numerous events and activities throughout most circumstances.
An individual may worry about practically anything; this is often referred to as free-floating anxiety.
Often reduces quality of life.
Affects 6.8 million adults, making up 3.1% of the U.S. population.
Women are twice as likely as men to experience GAD.
43% of those affected seek treatment.
Non-Hispanic white Americans are more likely than other ethnic groups to develop anxiety disorder during their lifetime (although the cause is not well understood).

Excessive Worry (GAD)

For 6 months or more - worry is disproportionate, uncontrollable, and ongoing regarding multiple matters.
Includes at least 3 symptoms: edginess, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems
Associated with significant distress and impairment.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Individuals with separation anxiety disorder feel extreme anxiety or panic whenever they are separated from key people in their lives.
This disorder is most common in young children.
It can develop in adults as well.
The categorization as an anxiety disorder is sometimes controversial.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) through Each Model

(No specific information in the provided text)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Sociocultural Perspective

GAD is more likely in individuals faced with dangerous, ongoing social conditions or highly threatened environments.
Research supporting these findings includes those discussing forms of societal stress, poverty, race, ethnicity, and widespread illness.

Today’s Psychodynamic Perspective

Freud believed all children experience anxiety and use ego mechanisms to manage it.
GAD occurs with high anxiety levels or inadequate defense mechanisms.
People with GAD may use defense mechanisms such as repression.
Adults with GAD who experienced extreme punishment for expressing id impulses as children may have higher anxiety later.

Psychodynamic Theorists

Disagree with some Freudian GAD explanations but agree GAD can be traced to early parent-child relationships.
Research supports testing psychodynamic explanations.
Repressed memories are often observed as well as other variables such as harsh punishments and overprotectiveness.

Psychodynamic Treatments for GAD

Psychodynamic therapies focus on free association, transference, resistance and dreams to reduce fear.
Freudians focus less on fear and more on controlling id impulses (instincts/pleasure principle).
Object-relations therapists help identify and resolve early relationship problems.
Short-term psychodynamic therapy shows better outcomes than longer ones.

The Humanistic Perspective of GAD

GAD arises when people stop looking at themselves honestly and accepting.
Lack of unconditional positive regard in childhood can lead to conditions of worth (harsh self-standards).
Threatening self-judgments break through, causing anxiety, which sets the stage for GAD development.

Humanistic Treatment Approach

Client-centered therapy is utilized to show unconditional positive regard for clients and empathize with them.
Despite optimistic case reports, controlled studies offer limited support of Rogers' explanation of GAD and other abnormal behavior.

Animated Anxiety

In the film Inside Out, a young girl experiences five basic emotional figures.
Fear is the emotional figure that personifies core GAD symptoms, characterized by a mindset that causes continuous worrying and tension.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder & The Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

Problematic behaviors and dysfunctional thinking often cause psychological disorders; a primary focus for treatment.
The focus here involves the nature of behavior and thoughts.
The early approach involved maladaptive or basic irrational assumptions (Ellis) and silent assumptions (Beck).

Ellis & Beck

Initially, theorists suggested that generalized anxiety disorder was caused by maladaptive assumptions.
Albert Ellis identified basic irrational assumptions. It is a dire necessity for an adult human being to be loved and approved of by every significant person, and it is awful and catastrophic when things are not the way one would like them to be. When applying these assumptions on everyday life, GAD may develop.
Aaron Beck argued that people with GAD continually hold unspoken/silent assumptions implying imminent danger such as situations/people are unsafe until proven safe and that it is better to assume the worst.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (part 9)

In one study, 62% of college students said they spent less than 10 minutes worrying about something at a time.
20% spent more than an hour worrying.

Worry Impairs the Problem-Solving Process

This study experimentally manipulated concern before problem-solving in a controlled lab setting.
Worry negatively impacts problem-solving.
Many individuals believe worry is helpful for confronting problems, confusing it with problem-solving.
Worry emphasizes potential threats while hindering proactive, optimal problem-solving.
Worry may lead individuals to repeatedly focus on worst-case scenarios rather than finding solutions.
This study was the first to empirically manipulate concern to test the effects of laboratory-based worry induction on problem-solving.

Highlights from the Research

Worrying about a personal problem lowered confidence in solutions for high-trait worriers.
Thinking objectively about a problem led to more effective solutions than worrying or focused breathing.
State worry predicted less intention to implement solutions.
Worrying beforehand about a personal problem led to elevated worry and anxiety after solving the problem.

Newer Cognitive-behavioral Explanations

Metacognitive theory (developed by Flavell and Wells) suggests that the most problematic assumptions in GAD are the individual's worry about worrying (meta-worry).
Metacognitive knowledge is knowledge about one's own cognitive processes, products, or related matters.
Metacognitive control involves actively supervising, regulating, and organizing cognitive processes concerning tasks and goals.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder | New CB Explanations

Intolerance of uncertainty theory (Koerner and colleagues) states that all people face uncertainty, and the presence of uncertainty often results in unpleasant experiences.
Individuals differ in terms of their comfort with existing uncertainty.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder | New CB Explanations (Uncertainty Theory)

Certain individuals consider it unacceptable that negative events may occur, even if the possibility is very small.
They worry to find "correct" solutions.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Avoidance Theory

Worry serves a "positive" function for individuals with GAD by reducing unusually high levels of bodily arousal.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder | The Model of Worry - Contrast Avoidance Model

Individuals with GAD avoid negative emotional contrasts by creating and sustaining negative emotions through worry.
Negative emotional contrasts are the main fear for those with GAD.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (part 10)

Cognitive-behavioral therapies for GAD include changing maladaptive assumptions, Ellis's rational-emotive therapy (RET), breaking down worrying, mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness meditation.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (part 11) - Biological Perspective

GAD is believed to arise from biological factors, supported by family pedigree studies and brain studies.
The competing explanation of shared environment is challenged.
Fear reactions are related to brain circuits.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (part 11) - Biological Relatives

Biological relatives of people with GAD are more likely to have GAD (approximately 15%).
The closer the relative, the greater the likelihood.
Clinical investigators must be cautious when interpreting animal responses.
An infant monkey separated from its mother was considered "fearful," but this may not correspond to fear or depression.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder & The Biological Model

Everyday fear reactions are tied to brain circuits.
Fear circuit hyperactivity may contribute to GAD.
Benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam) alleviate anxiety.
Benzodiazepine receptors normally receive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which carries an inhibitory message stopping neuron firing.
Low GABA may create excessive brain circuit communication, contributing to GAD development.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (part 13) - Drug Therapies

Early 1950s: Barbiturates (sedative-hypnotics)
Late 1950s: Benzodiazepines
Significant problems with these treatments
More recently, antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitter activity
Antipsychotics are also an option

Phobias (Part 1)

Phobias differ from fear in that they involve more intense and persistent fear of particular objects, activities, or situations.
There is a greater desire to avoid the feared object, situation, or thoughts about it.
This creates distress that interferes with functioning.

Phobias (Part 2)

Categories of phobias include specific phobias and agoraphobia.
Young people clinging tightly to each other may not represent phobic behavior.
Fear is often observed as unreasonable, persistent, and avoidance of the object or thoughts about it

Phobias (Part 3)

Yearly symptoms of specific phobias occur in 9% of all people. Symptoms are seen in 13% of people's lifetime. Women experience these conditions more than men (2:1). and only at most 32% seek treatment
Marked, persistent, and disproportionate fear of a particular object or situation. Often lasts at least 6 months.
Exposure to the feared object or situation will create immediate fear.
Avoidance occurs, and it results in significant distress and impairment.

Phobias | Agoraphobia

Symptoms of yearly agoraphobia exist in approximately 1% of the U.S. population, and 1.3% experience them during their lifetime.
46% seek treatment
A disproportionate fear of being in at least two distinct situations, leading to avoidance.
Symptoms usually continue for at least 6 months.
Distress and impairment are associated.

Pronounced, Disproportionate, or Repeated

Fear about being in at least two particular situations such as public transportation, open spaces, enclosed places, lines, or crowds, is often unaccompanied.
Concerns that an individual would not be able to escape or get help if they felt panic, embarrassment or symptoms were to occur, are evident.

Phobias (Part 5)

Cognitive-behavioral theories offer the best support for understanding specific phobias.
Phobias are primarily explained from a behavioral perspective.
Learned fears of certain objects, situations, or events from an early age result in avoidance, and maintenance.

Phobia (Part 6)

Phobias combined with GAD occurs when a person is impacted by multiple fears.
Stimulus generalization is the process in which responses to one stimulus also elicit similar stimuli.
Classical conditioning involves two events that repeatedly occur simultaneously, leading to a similar response.
Modeling is learning by observing and imitating others. It can be used as a therapy approach.

How are Fears Learned?

Phobias are learned through modeling, observation, and imitation.
Phobias are maintained by avoidance.

Anxiety Management

Everyone experiences anxiety, and it is a universal experience.
Anxiety disorders are not needed for an individual to experience anxiety or stressful thoughts and emotions.
Anxiety management techniques can be helpful

Anxiety Management Strategies

Deep breathing/belly breathing/diaphragmatic breathing
Advanced belly breathing (4-7-8)
Progressive muscle relaxation
Guided meditation
Mindfulness meditation
Journaling (including writing prompts)
Scheduling Worry Time

Questions, Comments, & What's Next?

Upcoming classes and discussions regarding the remaining chapters of the Anxiety section will be presented.
The anxiety management journal is due on Sunday, January 26th, 2025, and individuals can think about possible movie/tv characters to write about for their Anxiety and Phobias paper.
The Anxiety and Phobias paper's due date is February 2nd.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the characteristics and statistics of phobias, specifically agoraphobia. This quiz covers key factors in their development, common symptoms, and cognitive-behavioral theories relevant to anxiety disorders. Challenge yourself with questions that explore the intricacies of phobia experiences.