Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
What is fear?
An immediate alarm reaction triggered by a perceived danger which prepares the body either for fight or flight.
What is a fear true alarm and false alarm?
A true alarm is when fear is in response to a direct danger.
A false alarm occurs when there is no direct threat.
Describe what vulnerabilities increase the sensitivity of an individual’s fear alarm trigger.
Biological vulnerability
Generalised psychological vulnerability
A specific psychological vulnerability acquired, for example, through conditioning
What is the Tripartite Model of Anxiety and Depression?
Autonomic/anxious arousal (e.g., increased HR & blood pressure; & panic disorder)
Negative affectivity (e.g., increased anxiety, anger, shame; & GAD)
Low positive affectivity (e.g., sadness and lethargy; & social anxiety)
Negative affect and anxious arousal link to symptoms of anxiety disorders, negative affect and low positive effect lead to symptoms of depression.
What are the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing an anxiety disorder?
Marked and consistent fear when a specific object or situation is encountered.
Fear is out of proportion to the danger posed by the object or situation.
Fear causes emotional, social and/or occupational disruption.
According to the DSM-5, what are the four subtypes of phobias?
Animal
Natural environment (e.g., heights, water)
Blood, injection and injury
Situational (e.g., airplanes, enclosed spaces)
When do most anxiety specific disorders begin?
Most begin in childhood and early adolescence
Is there a heritable component to anxiety specific phobias?
Yes
What treatment is most effective for phobias and how does it work?
Exposure-based treatments.
Works through extinction OR by challenging expectations of danger leading to an increased sense of control.
What are the DSM-5 Criteria for a Panic Disorder?
Recurring uncontrolled panic attacks as well as persistent worry about having additional attacks and their consequences
Presence of significant changes in behaviour related to panic, e.g., avoiding exercise because it may increase heart rate
What are the DSM-5 criteria for Agoraphobia?
Marked fear or anxiety about being in places from which escape is difficult e.g., public transport, enclosed spaces.
Feared situations are actively avoided or endured with intense fear
What is the lifetime prevalence for Panic Disorder?
Lifetime prevalence of panic disorder is 3.5 per cent
What vulnerabilities are associated with Panic Disorder?
Generalised biological vulnerability (e.g., neuroticism)
Generalised psychological vulnerability (e.g., anxiety sensitivity)
Specific psychological vulnerability (e.g., catastrophising physical sensations)
What are commonly used treatments for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia?
Medications
Cognitive behaviour therapy including graded exposure to feared situations
Psychoeducation
How is Social Anxiety diagnosed?
Marked fear or anxiety in social situations
Fear of negative evaluation by others
The anxiety interferes with the individual’s functioning
What is the most common and earliest in onset of the anxiety disorders?
Social anxiety
What do twin studies of Social Anxiety Disorder suggest?
A genetic vulnerability
What are commonly used treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder?
Cognitive behaviour therapy, either individually or in groups
Psychoeducation about the disorder
Challenging negative cognitions
Exposure to feared social situations
Imagery rescripting
How is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) diagnosed?
Excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events such as work, relationships, health, etc.
Worry or anxiety must have been present on most days for at least six months
Worry is difficult to control and is associated with symptoms such as sleep problems and agitation
What is the lifetime prevalence of Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
6.1 per cent
What is the information processing model for GAD?
People with GAD are vigilant for potential threats
What are commonly used treatments for Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
Medications
Cognitive behaviour therapy–Includes relaxation training and graded exposure
Interpersonal psychotherapy–Addresses interpersonal problems
Mindfulness meditation –Individuals learn to be more present-focused, rather than future-focused
What period of life is there the highest prevalence for anxiety specific disorders?
Prevalence is greater among children than adults
What is the general lifetime prevalence for anxiety specific disorders?
Lifetime prevalence is estimated at 7–9 per cent
