Lecture 8 Anxiety Disorders 2

Question 1

What is Classical Conditioning?

Answer 1

A person learns to fear a neutral stimulus that is paired with an intrinsically aversive stimulus

Can occur through direct experience, modeling, or verbal instruction.

Question 2

What is Operant Conditioning in the context of phobias?

Answer 2

When a person avoids feared stimuli, they feel relief, which reinforces the phobia and prevents extinction.

Question 3

What influences vulnerability to anxiety disorders?

Answer 3

Vulnerability and unpredictability of threats.

Question 4

What does Mowrer’s Two-Factor Model describe?

Answer 4

It explains fear conditioning through both classical and operant conditioning.

Question 5

What is the heritability estimate for anxiety disorders?

Answer 5

~0.5-0.6

Question 6

How does neuroticism relate to anxiety disorders?

Answer 6

Higher neuroticism is tied to increased risk of anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Question 7

Define behavioral inhibition.

Answer 7

Tendency for infants to become agitated and cry when faced with new objects or people.

Question 8

What percentage of infants with high behavioral inhibition develop anxiety symptoms by age 7?

Answer 8

45%

Question 9

What brain region is critical for the conditioning of fear?

Answer 9

Amygdala

Question 10

What is the role of the medial prefrontal cortex in anxiety?

Answer 10

Diminished activity linked to poor amygdala regulation and fear extinction.

Question 11

What neurotransmitter is involved in emotion regulation and threat response?

Answer 11

Serotonin

Question 12

What is the role of GABA in anxiety?

Answer 12

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that modulates activity in regions involved with processing threats.

Question 13

True or False: Norepinephrine is involved in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the sustained belief associated with anxiety disorders?

Answer 14

The belief that bad things are likely to happen.

Question 15

What are safety behaviors?

Answer 15

Behaviors used to avoid experiencing anxiety in feared situations.

Question 16

What does intolerance of uncertainty refer to?

Answer 16

Finding it intolerable to think that something bad might happen.

Question 17

What is the dominant model for specific phobias?

Answer 17

Mowrer’s two-factor model.

Question 18

What is prepared learning in the context of phobias?

Answer 18

Evolution may have biologically prepared us to fear threatening stimuli more readily.

Question 19

What is a common safety behavior in social anxiety disorder?

Answer 19

Avoiding eye contact.

Question 20

What is a cognitive influence on social anxiety disorder?

Answer 20

Negative self-evaluation.

Question 21

What is catastrophic misinterpretation in panic disorder?

Answer 21

Interpreting somatic changes as signs of impending disaster.

Question 22

What is the core feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Answer 22

Worry

Question 23

What does the contrast avoidance model suggest for GAD?

Answer 23

People with GAD find rapid shifts in emotions highly distressing.

Question 24

What is the key focus of exposure therapy?

Answer 24

People must face what they deem too terrifying to face.

Question 25

What is the purpose of creating an exposure hierarchy in CBT?

Answer 25

To rank triggers from low to high and expose clients gradually.

Question 26

What does extinction in exposure therapy involve?

Answer 26

Learning new associations to feared stimuli.

Question 27

What is a common treatment for specific phobias?

Answer 27

In vivo exposure.

Question 28

What is a common psychological treatment for panic disorder?

Answer 28

Experiencing bodily sensations associated with panic under safe conditions.

Question 29

What is the purpose of relaxation training in GAD treatment?

Answer 29

To help manage anxiety and improve problem-solving skills.

Question 30

What are anxiolytics?

Answer 30

Drugs that reduce anxiety.

Question 31

What is the difference between suicide ideation and suicide attempts?

Answer 31

Ideation refers to thoughts of killing oneself; attempts are behaviors intended to cause death.

Question 32

What is nonsuicidal self-injury?

Answer 32

Behaviors intended to cause immediate bodily harm but not death.

Question 33

What is a significant risk factor for suicide among different demographics?

Answer 33

Higher rates among LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly transgender individuals.

Question 34

What psychological factors contribute to suicide risk?

Answer 34

History of psychological disorders, hopelessness, and poor problem-solving skills.

Question 35

What is the heritability estimate for suicide risk?

Answer 35

~0.5%

Question 36

What are social influences that can impact suicide risk?

Answer 36

Economic and social events, such as recessions and pandemics.

Question 37

What is a common reason individuals may attempt suicide?

Answer 37

Wanting to escape from unbearable pain ## Footnote This desire is often tied to feelings of hopelessness and a sense of defeat.

Question 38

What are some risk factors for suicide?

Answer 38

* Social influences * Economic and social events (e.g., economic recessions, SARS pandemic, COVID) * Celebrity suicides linked to increased suicide rates * Friends and relatives of suicide victims being more likely to die by suicide themselves * Individual factors such as being a divorcee, widow, or a victim of physical and sexual assault * Perceived sense of burden to others and lack of belongingness ## Footnote These factors can predict suicidal ideation but predicting actual attempts is more complex.

Question 39

What protective factor is associated with lower suicide risk?

Answer 39

Connectedness (e.g., social support) ## Footnote Social support can help mitigate feelings of isolation and hopelessness.

Question 40

True or False: Talking about suicide in an open manner helps prevent it.

Answer 40

True ## Footnote Open discussions can reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help.

Question 41

What is the goal of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating suicidality?

Answer 41

To teach effective coping strategies, problem solving, and emotion regulation, and to increase social support ## Footnote The ultimate aim is to reduce feelings of hopelessness.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: Many suicide attempts occur within _______ of suicidal thoughts entering the mind.

Answer 42

10 minutes ## Footnote This highlights the impulsive nature of many suicide attempts.

Question 43

What is one method of preventing suicide related to means restriction?

Answer 43

Implementing barriers on bridges and reducing access to firearms ## Footnote These measures can help limit opportunities for impulsive suicide attempts.

Question 44

What role do psychological disorders play in suicide risk?

Answer 44

Treating associated psychological disorders lessens risk, but the effect is small enough that treating suicidality directly is warranted ## Footnote Direct treatment of suicidality may be more effective in reducing risk.

Question 45

What does the quote from Blaustein & Fleming (2009) illustrate about the experience of wanting to live?

Answer 45

A realization of everything one would lose can lead to a desire to live ## Footnote This reflects the profound impact of personal connections on suicidal thoughts.

Question 46

What is a significant emotional experience described by individuals after a suicide attempt?

Answer 46

Instant regret ## Footnote Many individuals report a sudden realization of their desire to live after making an attempt.

Question 47

What is an important aspect of broader approaches to suicide prevention?

Answer 47

Destigmatizing seeking help and normalizing the experience of distress ## Footnote This can encourage individuals to reach out for support when needed.