Chapter 2 - theories

Question 1

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- 3 cognitive distortions

Answer 1

This theory suggests that individuals with GAD engage in cognitive distortions like:
- catastrophizing
- low tolerance for uncertainty
- and cognitive avoidance.
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- These factors perpetuate the cycle of worry, where the worry serves as an avoidance strategy to prevent distress, but ultimately maintains anxiety through negative reinforcement.

A person with GAD may constantly worry about their finances, not because there is a present financial crisis but because worrying feels like it prepares them for a potential disaster.

Question 2

Panic Control Treatment (PCT)

Answer 2

Developed by David Barlow, PCT is designed to treat panic disorder by integrating:
- psychoeducation
- exposure therapy
- and cognitive restructuring.
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It focuses on exposing patients to feared bodily sensations (e.g., rapid heartbeat) and teaching them to reappraise these sensations more realistically.

A person with panic disorder might engage in exercises like spinning in a chair to induce dizziness and learn that the sensation is not indicative of impending doom.

Question 3

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Answer 3

This theory posits that performance improves with moderate levels of arousal (anxiety), but excessive anxiety leads to a decline in performance. In well-learned tasks, a certain amount of anxiety can be motivating, but beyond a certain point, it becomes detrimental.

A student might perform better in exams with a little anxiety, but too much anxiety might cause them to freeze or make mistakes.

Question 4

triple Vulnerability Model (Barlow):

Answer 4

This model suggests that anxiety disorders develop through a combination of:
1. biological vulnerability (genetic predisposition)
2. 2. general psychological vulnerability (a belief that the world is dangerous)
3. and specific psychological vulnerability (learned fears based on individual experiences).

Someone might develop panic disorder due to a family history of anxiety (biological), combined with beliefs about personal vulnerability, and an intense fear of having a heart attack (specific psychological vulnerability).

Question 5

Rapee and Heimberg’s Model of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Answer 5

This model describes social anxiety as being driven by a fear of negative evaluation in social situations. Individuals with SAD monitor their own behavior and overestimate how negatively they are perceived, creating a feedback loop that worsens their anxiety.

A person with SAD might avoid speaking in a group because they believe everyone will judge them for making a mistake, reinforcing their anxiety when they don’t participate.