Lectures 6-7

Question 1

What distinguishes fear from anxiety?

Answer 1

Fear is a state of immediate alarm in response to a known threat

Anxiety is a state of alarm in response to a vague sense of threat

Question 2

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? How long must the symptoms last?

Answer 2

Excessive worry and anxiety in at least two domains of life

Symptoms must last at least six months

Question 3

How are phobias different from normal experiences?

Answer 3

More intense and persistent fear - interferes with functioning

Question 4

Describe panic attacks

Answer 4

Periodic, short bouts of panic that occur suddenly

Happen in the absence of a real threat

Question 5

What is Agoraphobia?

Answer 5

The fear of places that you might have trouble escaping from

Often feel they will embarrass themselves if others see symptoms

Question 6

What are the definitions of obsessions and compulsions in OCD?

Answer 6

Obsessions - persistent thoughts, ideas or impulses

Compulsions - repetitive and rigid behaviours or mental acts that people feel they MUST perform

Question 7

What are the three categories of symptoms in PTSD?

Answer 7

Re-experiencing the trauma - nightmares and thoughts

Avoidance of stimuli - numbing or avoidance of location

Increased arousal - insomnia, irritability

Question 8

What is the normal length of symptoms for Acute Stress Disorder?

Answer 8

Between two days and one month

Question 9

Describe separation anxiety disorder

Answer 9

Age-inappropriate, disabling anxiety about being apart from parents

Serious long-term consequences if it remains untreated

Question 10

What is the most common mental disorder? How much does it cost each year?

Answer 10

Anxiety disorders. They cost about $42 billion each year

Question 11

What is the three-part model of anxiety and depression?

Answer 11

High level of emotions
Low level of positive emotions
Physiological hyperarousal

Question 12

Who is GAD most likely to develop in?

Answer 12

People faced with dangerous social conditions and poverty

Question 13

What type of cognitive perspective do people with GAD have?

Answer 13

A situation/person is unsafe until proven safe - assume the worst

Question 14

What causes phobias?

Answer 14

Through modelling - observation and imitation

Maintained through avoidance

Question 15

What is stimulus generalization?

Answer 15

Response to one stimulus is also elicited by similar stimuli

Question 16

What biological factors contribute to panic disorder?

Answer 16

Norepinephrine is irregular

The amygdala is a complex root to the problem

Question 17

What is the cognitive perspective of panic disorders?

Answer 17

Misinterpreting bodily sensations - panic-prone people generally have a high anxiety sensitivity

Question 18

What are cognitive tendencies of people with OCD?

Answer 18

Having higher standards of conduct and morality

Believe thoughts are equal to actions

Believe they can, and should have perfect control over their thoughts and behaviours

Question 19

What are the three types of exposure used to treat panic disorder and agoraphobia?

Answer 19

Imaginal exposure - exposure to mental images

In vivo exposure - direct exposure to a feared stimulus

Interoceptive exposure - intentionally elicit bodily sensations associated with panic

Question 20

What are ways to treat social phobia?

Answer 20

CBT helps identify irrational thoughts and develop realistic thoughts

Exposure, and planned speaking can help

Question 21

What is done to treat anxiety in children?

Answer 21

Family interventions - helps families cope with feelings and can influence treatment effectiveness

Medications can reduce symptoms in some disorders, such as OCD