Anxiety disorders and mental health

Question 1

define fear

Answer 1

an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more associated with a fight or flight reaction

Question 2

define anxiety

Answer 2

associated with the anticipation of a future concern

Question 3

why do physical responses occur in anxiety

Answer 3

perceptions of threat trigger the sympathetic nervous system
release of stress hormones

Question 4

examples of physical symptoms of anxiety

Answer 4

sweat
nausea
increased heart rate
rapid breath
dry mouth

Question 5

what does the removal of threat result in

Answer 5

increased activation of parasympathetic nervous system

Question 6

how do anxiety disorders differ from normal anxiety

Answer 6

involve excessive fear or anxiety
typically involves anxiety out of proportion to the situation

Question 7

what is a phobia

Answer 7

Marked fear or avoidance of a specific object or situation
Avoidance behaviours and anxiety sensitivity (fear of fear)

Question 8

What is panic disorder

Answer 8

-recurrent unexpected panic attacks
-persistent concern about additional behaviours
hypervigilance and self-focussed

Question 9

what is social anxiety

Answer 9

Persistent fear and avoidance of social and performance situations
Typically concern potential negative evaluation of others

Question 10

what does social anxiety often result in

Answer 10

avoidance behaviours

Question 11

what is the lifetime prevalence of social anxiety in the UK

Answer 11

12% - typically onset during adolescence

Question 12

what is generalised anxiety disorder

Answer 12

Chronic, persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities that individuals find difficult to control

Question 13

what is agoraphobia

Answer 13

Fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult where escape may be difficult or embarrassing

Question 14

what is no longer classed as an anxiety disorder

Answer 14

post traumatic stress disorder

Question 15

what does PTSD consist of

Answer 15

Consists of intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, hyperarousal

Question 16

what are common fears within anxiety disorders

Answer 16

Losing control
Impending death or injury
Negative evaluation by others
Going crazy

Question 17

why is hypervigilance often unhelpful

Answer 17

Focus on threat makes dealing with threat becoming more difficult

Question 18

common behavioural symptoms of anxiety disorders

Answer 18

Avoidance of threat and safety behaviours
Escape or freeze
Restlessness
Reassurance seeking

Question 19

how prevalent is comorbidity of anxiety disorders

Answer 19

40-80% of individuals who meet criteria for one disorder may meet criteria for two or more disorders

Question 20

what is the two factor theory of phobia

Answer 20

Discrete learning event leading to conditioned fear response
negative reinforcement reinforces behaviour of avoidance

Question 21

define a panic attack

Answer 21

abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.
May include pounding heart, sweating, trembling and shortness of breath, feelings of being detached from oneself

Question 22

how common are panic attacks

Answer 22

up to 28% of population will experience at some point

Question 23

define obsessions

Answer 23

Recurrent, unwanted, intrusive, thoughts, images or impulses that cause distress/interference

Question 24

define complusions

Answer 24

Repetitive behaviour that an individual feels driven to perform to reduce distress

Question 25

what may obsessions involve

Answer 25

Thought, urge or mental image containing contamination, sexual and aggressive impulses, body problems, religious, aggression

Question 26

what may compulsions involve

Answer 26

Performed according to rules that must be applied regularly Compulsive checking or washing
Superstitious ritualised movements or thoughts

Question 27

why are obsessions known as ego-dystonic

Answer 27

The content of the obsession is alien/inconsistent with values
Not within their control