Chapter 5 Flashcards
fear
the central nervous system’s physiological & emotional response to a serious threat to one’s well being
anxiety
the central nervous system’s physiological and emotional response to a vague sense of threat or danger
anxiety disorders
fear/anxiety can be useful for self preservation but when triggered by inappropriate situations or is too long lasting it can be debilitating
most common mental disorder in U.S.
anxiety disorders
generalized anxiety
disorder a disorder marked by persistent and excessive feelings of anxiety and worry about numerous events and activities. general & persistent feelings of worry & anxiety. DSM 5 requires it to be present for at least 3 months and it used to be 6 months
sociocultural theory (GAD)
GAD most likely in those faced with dangerous societal conditions and threatening environments. war, poverty, natural disasters, race & ethnicity. *note- sociocultural variables not only factor at work because not all people in threatening environments develop GAD.
psychodynamic theory (GAD)
Freud- everything goes back to childhood. Kids experience realistic (anxiety when facing actual danger), neurotic (anxiety when repeatedly prevented from experiencing id impulses), and moral (anxiety when punished for expressing id) anxiety. Today’s psychodynamic theorists say that GAD can be traced to inadequacies in childhood relationships.
psychodynamic therapies (GAD)
free association, transference, resistance, and dreams. studies suggest these are only of modest help and are best used short term in therapy.
humanistic theory (GAD)
sufferers fail to receive unconditional positive regard & have conditions of worth
humanistic therapy (GAD)
client centered therapy - developed by Carl Rogers; therapists try to help clients by being accepting, empathizing accurately, and conveying genuineness. no strong support for effectiveness.
existential theory (GAD)
GAD is a result of existential anxiety (fear of limits & responsibilities of one’s existence; universal - there is a limit to life)
cognitive theory (GAD)
dysfunctional thinking causes GAD. assumptions are irrational/not based in reality (basic irrational assumptions). Albert Ellis & Aaron Beck. metacognitive theory (Wells; GAD sufferers hold positive and negative beliefs about anxiety but they worry about worrying.) intolerance of uncertainty theory (cannot tolerate possibility that negative events may occur.) avoidance theory (Borkovec; worry serves as quick way to cope with unpleasant bodily states)
cognitive therapy (GAD)
rational-emotive therapy - Ellis; helps clients identify and change irrational assumptions & thinking. mindfulness-based cognitive therapy - Hayes; accept thoughts rather than eliminate them
biological theory (GAD)
looks at biological factors like genetics and brain structure and chemistry.
family pedigree studies
research where investigators find out which/if relatives of a person with a disorder have the disorder.
GABA
neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid, whose low activity has been linked to GAD
biological treatments (GAD)
benzo’s, antidepressants, antipsychotics. relaxation training - teach clients to relax at will so they can self calm in stressful situations. biofeedback - client is given info about physiological reactions and learns to control them voluntarily.
phobias
persistent and UNREASONABLE fear of an object, activity or situation.
specific phobias
severe and persistent fear of a specific object or situation
classical conditioning
process of learning in which two events repeatedly occur close together in time become tied together in a person’s mind and produce the same response. behavioral explanation for phobias.
modeling
process of learning in which a person observes & imitates others. behavioral explanation for phobias.
stimulus generalization
phenomenon in which response to one stimulus are produced by similar stimuli. behavioral explanation for phobias.