Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
What is an anxiety disorder?
A type of psychological disorder in which anxiety is the prominent feature
How can anxiety be adaptive?
It can prompt us to seek medical attention, to study for an upcoming test, or to avoid a dangerous situation
How can anxiety be maladaptive?
When the level of anxiety is out of proportion to the level of threat or when it occurs out of the blue, and not a response to environmental changes
What are some physical features of anxiety disorders?
Jumpiness, jitters, increased perspiration and heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea
What are some behavioural features of anxiety disorders?
Need to escape or avoid a situation, agitation, clinginess, need for reassurance
What are some cognitive features of anxiety disorders?
Excessive and prolonged worrying, overly aware of bodily sensations, jumbled thoughts, nagging thoughts
Is anxiety normal in children?
Yes, childhood anxieties and fear are a normal feature of childhood
Childhood fears are commonplace and are usually outgrown naturally
Only considered abnormal when excessive and interferes with normal functioning
What is a panic attack?
Intense anxiety reactions accompanied by physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, rapid respiration, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
How long do panic attacks typically last?
They usually peak in intensity at 10 minutes are last for 20 minutes
What is panic disorder?
Repeated, unexpected panic attacks
Feelings of terror/doom and an urge to escape
Feels like having a heart attack
Can occur from a calm state or an anxious state
What is agoraphobia?
A fear of places and situations from which it might be difficult or embarrassing to escape
When does agoraphobia typically begin?
Late adolescence to mid twenties
More common in women than men
What is generalized anxiety disorder?
Characterized by persistent feelings of anxiety that are not triggered by anything specifically
Formerly referred to as free-floating anxiety
What are some other symptoms of GAD?
Restlessness, feeling tense or on edge, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping
When does GAD typically begin?
Mid-teens to mid-20’s
More common in women
A comorbidity with depressive, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorders
What are phobic disorders?
Persistent fears of objects of situations that are disproportionate to the threats they pose
Usually involve fears of the ordinary things in life
What are the two types of phobic disorders?
Specific phobia
Social anxiety disorder
What are specific phobias?
Persistent but excessive fears of a specific object or situation
Animals, heights, closed spaces
What are the 5 diagnostic subtypes of specific phobias?
Animal type Natural environment type Blood-injection-injury type Situational type Other types
What is social anxiety disorder?
Excessive fear of negative evaluations from others
People with social anxiety disorders often worry about their social presentation and may avoid social situations altogether
Is separation anxiety normal in children?
Yes, it is normal for children to show anxiety when they are separated from their caregivers
What is separation anxiety disorder?
When the separation anxiety is persistent and excessive or inappropriate for the child’s developmental level
Development typically follows a stressful life event
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Recurrent obsession, compulsions, or both that occupy more than an hour a day and cause marked distress or significantly interfere with normal routines
What is an obsession?
An intrusive, unwanted, and recurrent though, image, or urge that seems beyond a person’s ability to control
What is a compulsion?
Repetitive behaviour or mental act that a person feels compelled or driven to perform and often occur in response to obsessional thoughts