Week 4 Flashcards
(119 cards)
define anxiety
- a subjectively distressful experience activated by the perception of threat, which has both a potential psychological and physiological etiology and expression
- an emotion characterized by apprehension or dread of a potentially threatening or uncertain outcome
what can trigger anxiety
- the perception of a threat
how is anxiety manifested
- in physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or behavioral ways
what is the difference between anxiety and fear
- anxiety is a vague sense of dread related to an
unspecified or unknown danger - fear is a reaction to a real or perceived specific danger
a normal response to anxiety includes changes in… (2)
- physiological arousal
- cognitive processes
- coping strategies
what physiological arousal occurs in response to anxiety
- flight or fight response
- freeze response
what cognitive processes occur in response to anxiety
- deciphers whether the threat should be approached or avoided
why are coping strategies employed in response to anxiety
- to resolve the threat
what are some examples of how anxiety can be motivating (5)
can act as a:
- warning sign (to bring attention to something that may need to be changed in one’s life)
- motivating (incentive to take action)
- built-in warning system (help one react to keep themselves safe)
- positive characteristic in one’s makeup (tend to be more empathetic, understanding, and supportive)
- leadership trait (good problem-solvers, decision-makers, contemplating consequences of decisions)
describe the scope of anxiety
ranges from:
no anxiety –> mild anxiety –> moderate anxiety –> severe anxiety –> panic
see pg. 202 of textbook for symptoms of each lvl
what are benefits of mild anxiety (4)
- increases lvls of energy
- motivates individuals on a day-to-day basis
- increases ability to be productive, creative, learn, and problem solve
- can cause “excitement”
what are some physical signs of mild anxety (4)
- butterflies
- increased HR
- pupils dilate
- perspiring
what changes occur w moderate anxiety (3)
- perceptual field decreases
- increasingly needs direction to learn, needs help focusing
- selective inattention (may fail to notice enviro stimuli unless brought to notice)
what are some physical signs of moderate anxiety (4)
- shakiness
- frequent urination
- increased resp
- nausea
what changes occur w severe anxiety (2)
- focuses on small or scattered details
- unable to problem-solve even w assistant
what are some physical signs of severe anxiety (6)
- rapid pulse
- dyspnea
- chest pain
- nausea, upset stomach
- diarrhea
- feeling of “impending doom”
what changes occur w panic (5)
- sense of terror/loss of control
- complete disorganization of thoughts
- unable to do things even w direction
- hyperactive, agitated
- may be dangerous or aggressive
what physical signs occur w panic (7)
- may feel like a heart attack
- palpitations, pounding heart
- feelings of choking
- dizziness, light headedness
- feelings of unreality
- paraesthesia
- fear of losing control, fear of dying
how do we protect ourselves from anxiety?
- coping/defence mechanisms
* see page 205 for different types of defence mechanisms*
what concepts are interrelated w anxiety (4)
- interpersonal violence
- stress
- coping
- mood & affect
what is the most common mental health problem in Canada
- anxiety disorders
describe who anxiety disorders affect (3)
- individuals of all ages
- higher in women than men
- affect 12% of the population
what are types of anxiety disorders (4)
- panic disorders
- generalized anxiety disorder
- phobias
- OCD
what is considered generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- excessive anxiety for 6 months or more