topic 3 Anxiety and related illnesses

Question 1

Greys theory

Answer 1

The biopsychological theory of personality is a model of the general biological processes relevant for human psychology, behavior, and personality.

Gray hypothesized the existence of two brain-based systems for controlling a person’s interactions with their environment: the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and the behavioural activation system

BIS is related to sensitivity to punishment and avoidance motivation. BAS is associated with sensitivity to reward and approach motivation.

BAS and BIS is related to the fight fligth freeze response. F

Neuroticism, a widely studied personality dimension related to emotional functioning, is positively correlated with BIS scales and negatively correlated with BAS scales.[6]

• the brain stem relays potential dangers to the brain through the limbic system. Top down from the cortex or up through the brain stem can both trigger freeze, avoid, anxiety responses

The physiological mechanism for BAS is not known as well as BIS, but is believed to be related to catecholaminergic and dopaminergic pathways in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter commonly linked with positive emotions, which could explain the susceptibility to elation and happiness upon achieving goals which has been observed. People with a highly active BAS have been shown to learn better by reward than by punishment, inverse to BIS as mentioned above.[5] BAS is considered to include trait impulsivity that is also related to psychopathological disorders such as ADHD, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse.[14] The higher the BAS score, or the higher the impulsive, the more it is likely to be related to psycho-pathological or dis-inhibitory disorders.[15] Certain aspects of the dopaminergic reward system activate when reward cues and reinforcers are presented, including biological rewards such as food and sex.[16] These brain areas, which were highlighted during multiple fMRI studies, are the same areas associated with BAS.

Question 2

three elements biological psychological and behavioural in anxiety. examples of psychological factors maladaptive cognitions

Answer 2

biological - HPA axis, and the nervous system

behavioural - learnt associations, avoidance, behaviours to prevent/treat anxiety

selective abstraction - drawing conclusions on the bases of just one of many elements of a situation

minimisation - downplaying the importance of positive thoughts, emotions or events

personalisation - attributing personal responsibility when it aint your fault

arbitrary inference - drawing conclusions when there is little or no evidence

magnification - blowing out of proportion
overgeneralisation - sweeping conclusions

catastophozing

Question 3

HPA

Answer 3

The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis or HTPA axis) is a complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions among three components: the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland (a pea-shaped structure located below the thalamus), and the adrenal (also called “suprarenal”) glands (small, conical organs on top of the kidneys).

These organs and their interactions constitute the HPA axis, a major neuroendocrine system[1] that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes, including digestion, the immune system, mood and emotions, sexuality, and energy storage and expenditure. It is the common mechanism for interactions among glands, hormones, and parts of the midbrain that mediate the general adaptation syndrome (GAS).[2] While steroid hormones are produced mainly in vertebrates, the physiological role of the HPA axis and corticosteroids in stress response is so fundamental that analogous systems can be found in invertebrates and monocellular organisms as well.

The HPA axis, hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG), hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis (HPT), and the hypothalamic–neurohypophyseal system are the four major neuroendocrine systems through which the hypothalamus and pituitary direct neuroendocrine functio

pre ganglionic fibres release acetylcholine to communicate around the nervous system

post ganglionic fibres release nor-ephinephrine

these two neurotransmitters control blood shunting throughout the body

hormones are release from the glands to increase widespread distribution, they can also be called neurotransmitters when we are talking about them moving between synapses