Abnormal Psychology L2

Question 1

Define anxiety.

Answer 1

Apprehensions about an anticipated issue.

Question 2

Define fear/panic.

Answer 2

Apprehensive response to immediate threat or danger, instinctive and reactive.

Question 3

What are the three components of anxiety/fear?

Answer 3

1. Cognitive/subjective (thought processes)
2. Physiological (sweating)
3. Behavioral (avoidance)

Question 4

Where is the fight/flight response activated?

Answer 4

Sympathetic nervous system - mobilizes body for response.

Question 5

What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?

Answer 5

That there is a parabolic curve of anxiety vs performance with a peak at the point of optimal arousal.

Question 6

Anxiety disorders are the…

Answer 6

Most common psychiatric diagnosis (28%)

Question 7

What are some types of anxiety disorders?

Answer 7

• Phobias
• Panic Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Question 8

Describe Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer 8

Anxiety is generalized and persistent - not situational or specific, constant worry about everything. Victims find it very difficult to manage.

Question 9

Describe a Panic Disorder

Answer 9

Main feature is a discrete period of intense fear in the absence of any real danger. Sudden and rapid. Panic attack.

Question 10

Describe Agoraphobia

Answer 10

Marked fear or anxiety about at least 2 of the following:
. Using public transport
. Being in open spaces
. Being in enclosed spaces
. Standing in line or being in a crowd
. Being outside of the home alone
The feared situations produce anxiety and are avoided.

Question 11

Describe Social Anxiety Disorder

Answer 11

Fear or anxiety about social situations where the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. Afraid of being evaluated by others.

Question 12

What is a specific phobia?

Answer 12

Anxiety evoked by specific circumstances or situations. Fear tends to be disproportionate and beyond voluntary control.

Question 13

What are the two unique disorder classes?

Answer 13

• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

- Trauma and Stressors Related Disorders.

Question 14

Describe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders.

Answer 14

Repetitive thoughts and behaviors which cause distress, are uncontrollable, and time intensive.

Question 15

Define an obsession.

Answer 15

Intrusive and recurring thoughts, images, or impulses that are persistent, uncontrollable, and irrational

Question 16

Define a compulsion.

Answer 16

Repetitive, excessive behaviors or mental acts a person is driven to perform to reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts or prevent expected consequences.

Question 17

What are the DSM-5 diagnostic characteristics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.

Answer 17

• Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence
• Presence of one or more intrusive symptoms
• Persistent avoidance of associated stimuli
• Negative alterations in cognition and mood
• Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity
• Must be more then 1 month after stimulus

Question 18

What are the shared risk factors of anxiety?

Answer 18

• Fear conditioning (learning to be afraid of something)
• Cognitive
• Genetics
• Neurobiology (certain neurotransmitters excited or inhibited)
• Personality

Question 19

What is one feature of anxiety disorder treatment.

Answer 19

Victims often don’t seek help, even though anxiety treatments are some of the most effective treatments for mental problems.

Question 20

Describe exposure therapy.

Answer 20

Must be prolonged and consistent. Starts as imagined situations, then moves into real life, in vivo, exposure.
Effective in 70-90% of cases.
Victim is bought closer and closer to fearful stimulus until they grow accustomed to it and are no longer afraid.