Chapter 5 Flashcards
Agoraphobia
An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in case of panic
Anxiety
A state of heightened worry, tension, and nervousness in response to perceived threats or stressors
- CNS physiological + emotional response to a vague sense of threat or danger
Basic Irrational Assumptions
Maladaptive beliefs that contribute to excessive worry and anxiety
- Often identified in cognitive therapy
Benzodiazepines
A class of medications that enhance GABA activity to reduce anxiety and induce relaxation
- e.g. Valium, Xanax
Biological Challenge Test
A procedure in which a person is exposed to anxiety-inducing stimuli to asses biological responses to panic
Classical Conditioning
A learning process in which a previously neutral stimulus becomes associated with a fearful or anxious response
Client-Centered Therapy
A humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers
- Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and self-acceptance
Compulsion
Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent feared events
- Common in OCD
Exposure and Response Prevention
A behavioral therapy for OCD that involves gradually confronting fears while resisting compulsive behaviors
Exposure Treatments
Therapeutic techniques that help individuals confront and overcome fears through repeated exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli
Family Pedigree Study
A research method that examines the prevalence of disorders in family members to assess genetic influences
Fear
A natural emotional response to an immediate, real, or perceived threat
- CNS physiological + emotional response to serious threat
Flooding
A form of exposure therapy in which individuals are exposed to their most feared stimuli in an intense and prolonged manner
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
A neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity and is involved in regulating anxiety levels
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
A disorder characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life
- Ongoing
At least 3:
- Edginess, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems, significant distress/impairment
Demographic
- Women diagnosed more
- Begins in adolescence, childhood
- Black Americans 30% more likely
Modeling
A form of learning in which individuals acquire new behavior by observing others
Obsession
Persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress and are difficult to control
Obsessive-Compulsive-Related Disorders
A group of disorders that involve obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors, such as hoarding disorder and body dysmorphic disorder
Panic Attacks
Suddenly episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness
Panic Disorder
A condition characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks along with persistent fear of future attacks
Phobia
An intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
Rational-Emotive Therapy
A cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis
- Aims to challenge irrational beliefs and promote rational thinking
Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs
Medications that induce relaxation, sleep, and reduced anxiety
- Including barbiturates and benzodiazepines
Social Anxiety Disorder
A condition involving extreme fear of social situations due to concerns about embarrassment or negative evaluation
Systematic Desensitization
A behavioral therapy technique that gradually exposes individuals to feared stimuli while teaching relaxation techniques
