Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
(19 cards)
Anxiety Disorders
A group of mental health conditions that are characterized by persistent and disruptive feelings of fear, worry and unease which can significantly interfere with an individual’s daily life and activities.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Specific Phobia: An irrational and unabating fear of a particular object, activity or situation that provokes an immediate anxiety response and disrupts functioning
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Marked a disproportionate fear that is constantly triggered by exposure to potential social scrutiny, leading to intense anxiety about being evaluated negatively.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder: Characterized by sudden, intense episodes of apprehension, terror and feelings of impending doom with an intense urge to flee
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Agoraphobia: Fear or anxiety about situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, leading to avoidance of these situations
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Characterized by excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of life domains, which is difficult to control and persists for at least 3 months.
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
Genetic Factors: Certain genetic variations can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
Environmental stressors: Traumatic Life events, such as abuse, neglect, or the loss of a loved one can trigger the development of anxiety disorders.
Chemical Imbalances: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders by affecting how the brain responds to stress
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders can manifest through a range of physical and psychological symptoms including excessive worry, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and physiological responses like increased heart rate and sweating. These symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s daily life and functioning.
Panic Disorder
A mental health condition characterized by intense, sudden and unpredictable episodes of anxiety, fear and physical symptoms. These panic attacks can last from a few seconds to several hours.
Specific Phobia
Is an irrational and unabating fear of a particular object, activity or situation that provokes an immediate anxiety response.
Characteristic Features: Awareness that the fear is excessive, severe enough to cause distress/interfere with social/occupational functioning and associated with avoidance behaviour.
DSM-5 Criteria: Marked fear/anxiety about a specific object or situation, immediate fear/anxiety upon exposure, active avoidance, endurance with intense fear/anxiety disproportionate. Persist for 6 months or more.
Etiology: Two-factor model: Classical conditioning (pairing of stimulus with aversive event).
Operant conditioning (avoidance behaviour reinforced through negative reinforcement).
Treatment: Techniques like systematic desensitization, flooding, graduated exposure and thought stopping.
Common Phobias
Hematophobia: Fear of blood- an intense, irrational fear of bled leading to the avoidance of situations where blood may be present
Common Phobias
Acrophobia: Fear of heights, excessive fear of being in high places or at great distances from the ground, which can interfere with normal activities.
Treatment Options of Anxiety Disorders
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Lifestyle changes
Medication
Complementary Therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
A form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and modify negative thought patters and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. Considered highly effective
Lifestyle Changes
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, stress management techniques, and getting sufficient sleep, can help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Medication
Prescription medications, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers, can be used to manage the symptoms of anxiety disorders. It may be used in combination with psychotherapy
Complementary Therapies
Such as relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation yoga), mindfulness-based interventions and acupuncture. Additional support in managing anxiety.
Coping Strategies for Anxiety
Relaxation techniques (deep breathing exercises)
Mindfulness Practices: Mediation, yoga
Strong Social Network: Connecting with family, friends or support groups to receive emotional, practical and social support. Prevents isolation
