Anxiety Flashcards
Differentiate between anxiety and fear
Anxiety is apprehension about a future threat, while fear is a response to an immediate threat. Both involve physiological arousal via the sympathetic nervous system and can be adaptive.
What are the main characteristics of neurosis?
Neurosis involves emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and somatic symptoms not caused by organic brain disease, psychosis, or personality disorder. The primary emotion is anxiety, often accompanied by depressed mood, and may be associated with an external stressor.
Describe the key features of a panic attack.
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear peaking within minutes and characterised by physical symptoms like palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and derealisation. It also involves fear of losing control or dying.
How does Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) differ from Panic Disorder?
GAD involves persistent and excessive worry about multiple everyday events, while Panic Disorder is characterised by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and the fear of future attacks.
What are the three main types of phobias, and provide an example of each.
The three types are agoraphobia (fear of open or public spaces, e.g., using public transport), social phobia (fear of social situations, e.g., public speaking), and specific phobias (fear of specific objects or situations, e.g., spiders).
Explain the difference between obsessions and compulsions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges, while compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions.
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes specific phobias from other anxiety disorders?
Specific phobias are uniquely characterised by a marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation.
Describe the key symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Key symptoms of PTSD include re-experiencing the traumatic event (intrusive memories, flashbacks), avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative thoughts and feelings, and hyperarousal.
What type of traumatic events are most commonly associated with Complex PTSD?
Complex PTSD is most commonly associated with prolonged or repetitive trauma, often involving interpersonal violence or captivity.
Give a brief explanation of dissociative disorders and provide one example.
Dissociative disorders involve a disruption or discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. One example is dissociative amnesia, characterized by the inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature.
