Anxiety

Question 1

the experience of anxiety has 2 components, what are they

Answer 1

-awareness of physiological sensations
-awareness of being nervous or frightened

Question 2

how does anxiety differ from fear

Answer 2

fear is in response to overt danger, anxiety is a response to the anticipation of threat

Question 3

what causes the characteristic physical manifestations of anxiety

Answer 3

effects on the autonomic nervous system

Question 4

what is required to meet diagnostic requirements for panic disorder

Answer 4

recurrent unexpected panic attacks

Question 5

what is the fear of agoraphobia related to

Answer 5

fear of places that escape may be difficult in the event that panic attacks or anxiety symptoms develop

Question 6

what are common feared situations in agoraphobia?

Answer 6

open spaces
confined spaces
crowds

Question 7

fear in specific phobia

Answer 7

specific, intense, and out of proportion with the actual threat that usually occurs immediately after exposure

Question 8

how long do specific phobia symptoms have to be present for diagnosis

Answer 8

6 months

Question 9

what is the fear in social anxiety disorder related to

Answer 9

fear of embarrassment that may occur rather than fear of the actual situation

Question 10

characterize the anxiety/worry in GAD

Answer 10

it is excessive, related to several events/activities most of the time for at least 6 months

Question 11

somatic symptoms that often accompany anxiety in GAD

Answer 11

muscle tension, irritability, difficulty sleeping, restlessness

Question 12

objective rating scales for anxiety

Answer 12

-Beck anxiety inventory (BAI)
-hospitalized anxiety and depression scale (HADS)
-generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7)
-state-trait anxiety inventory

Question 13

endocrine disorders associated with panic attacks

Answer 13

hypo- and hyperthyroidism
hyperparathyroidism
pheochromocytoma

Question 14

what is the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders

Answer 14

SSRIs

Question 15

what are some non-SSRIantidepressants that can be useful in anxiety disorders

Answer 15

venlafaxine, mirtazapine, TCAs

Question 16

what are some anxiety disorders treated with venlafaxine

Answer 16

panic disorder
GAD
social anxiety disorder

Question 17

when is the use of benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety appropriate

Answer 17

-short-term at the beginning of therapy until SSRI takes effect
-for use during acute exacerbations

Question 18

what else can be used for acute treatment other than benzodiazepines

Answer 18

hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Question 19

what is first-line treatment for panic disorder

Answer 19

venlafaxine

Question 20

what is second line therapy for panic disorder

Answer 20

mirtazapine

Question 21

what is first line therapy for specific phobias

Answer 21

psychotherapy

Question 22

what is the main goal of medication treatment in agoraphobia

Answer 22

treat comorbid panic attacks

Question 23

what are the two main foci of cognitive therapy for anxiety disorders

Answer 23

-instruction about patient’s false belief that mild bodily sensations are impending panic attacks
-information about panic attacks (time-limited and not life-threatening)

Question 24

what is the underlying assumption of behavioral therapies

Answer 24

meaningful change can occur without developing psychological insight into underlying causes

Question 25

what type of therapy is specifically good for social anxiety disorder

Answer 25

interpersonal skills training and interpersonal psychotherapy

Question 26

what is the therapist’s role in supportive psychotherapy

Answer 26

promote adaptive coping by using psychodynamic concepts and the therapeutic alliance to assist in reality testing and possibly behavioral advice