Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Flashcards
What is anxiety ?
apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty or dread from read or perceived threat; necessary for survival
- need to survive but having too much is the issue
- suppose to be short-lived
What is fear ?
reaction to specific danger
What is mild anxiety ?
helpful and it’s the only positive anxiety
- everyday problem-solving leverage
- grasps information more effectively
- expected for a short-time
- Ex.) before a test: very alert and restless
What is moderate anxiety ?
- selective inattention
- clear thinking hampered
- problem solving not optimal
- sympathetic nervous system symptoms begin
What is severe anxiety ?
- perceptual field greatly reduced
- hyperventilation
- somatic symptoms increase: nausea, HA, dizziness
- difficulty concentrating on environment
- inability to focus
- dazed and confused
What is panic (level of anxiety) ?
- markedly disturbed behavior
- shouting, screaming, pacing
- unable to process reality; impulsivity
- uncontrollable
- hyperventilation
- at the most extreme hallucinations can occur
- most severe level of anxiety
What are some defense mechanisms against anxiety ?
- compensation
- denial
- projection
- repression
- undoing
- reaction formation
What is undoing ?
when a person performs an act to “undo” a previous act or thought
- Ex.) after flirting with someone at work, a husband buys his wife flowers
- he is trying to “undo” the regrettable behavior
What is reaction formation ?
when feelings are controlled and kept out of awareness by developing the opposite behavior or emotion
- Ex.) being overly nice to a woman who keeps flirting with your boyfriend
- you are forming your emotions (not genuine)
- hides your true feelings
When does anxiety become a disorder ?
when it affects:
- your ability to cope
- your ability to go through normal activities of daily living
- your ability to interact with the world in an appropriate way
- your wellbeing/happiness
What is generalized anxiety disorder ?
excessive worry that lasts for at least 6 months
- out of proportion with impact of events or situations
- leads to avoidance that may result in lateness or absence from school or work and overall social isolation
- females to males 2:1
What is separation anxiety and when does it occur ?
excessive fear/anxiety when separated from an individual who the pt is emotionally attached to
- children: 8-24 months, peak 18 months
What is selective mutism ?
condition where children do not speak due to fears of negative responses
- anxiety issue, not a speech issue
What is substance-induced anxiety ?
characterized by symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, restlessness, and/or obsessions and compulsions that develop with the use of a substance
- like alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or hallucinogens
What is anxiety due to a medical condition ?
anxiety is the direct result of a medical condition, sometimes due to multiple invasive or painful procedures
What is panic attack- panic disorder ?
sudden onset of extreme apprehension or fear, usually associated with feelings of impending doom
- unpredictability
- “fear the fear” leading to avoidance
- disorder: recurrent panic attacks
What is a phobia ?
a persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a desire for avoidance or actual avoidance of the object, activity, or situation
- overwhelming and sometimes crippling anxiety
- often stems from negative or traumatic experience
What is agoraphobia ?
excessive anxiety of fear about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing
- or in which help might not be available
- females to males 2:1
- genetics play large role
- usually diagnose anxiety with/out agoraphobia
What are obsessions ?
thoughts, impulses, or images that persist and recur, so that they cannot be dismissed from the mind
What are compulsions ?
ritualistic behaviors an individual feels driven to perform attempting to reduce anxiety (or prevent a hypothetical diaster)
What is OCD ?
intrusive thoughts of unrealistic obsessions and tries to control the thoughts with compulsive behaviors
- rituals are time-consuming and interfere with normal routines, social activities, and relationships
- defense mechanisms: undoing (ex. knocking on wood)
- occurs commonly with anxiety disorders
What is body dysmorphic disorder ?
patient has a preoccupation with percieved flaws or defects in their physical appearance (where appearance may be normal)
- attempts to conceal this flaw by mirror checking or camouflaging
- false assumptions of importance of appearance can lead to overwhelming feelings of disgust, shame or depression
What is hoarding ?
accumulation of belongings with little or no value
- extreme distress caused by getting rid of things
- most have major depression and/or anxiety disorders and 20% OCD
What is trichotillomania and excoriation disorder ?
hair pulling and skin picking
- occurs more often in children
- can lead to trichophagia (hair eating)
- pain can be anxiety reducing (like cutting)
