Chapter 5 Flashcards
Define Anxiety
i. A negative mood state characterized by bodily symptoms of physical tension and apprehension about the future
Define fear
i. Immediate alarm reaction to danger
Define panic attack
i. An abrupt experience of intense fear or acute discomfort accompanied by some physical symptoms
ii. Similar psychological reactions to fear
Ling between GABA and anxiety
- Depleted levels of this substance associated with increased anxiety
Define the role of Cortico tropin-releasing factor (CRF)
- Central to the expression of anxiety
- Has wide ranging impacts on emotion
- Directly related to GABA
Define the limbic system
- The portion of the brain most commonly associated with anxiety
- Acts as a mediator between the brain stem and cortex
Define behavioural inhibition system
- Activated by signals from brain stem of unexpected events
2. When activated, causes us to freeze, experience anxiety, and cause us to apprehensively evaluate situation
what brain area is most associated with anxiety?
the limbic system; in particular, the septal-hippocampal system
How can a sense of uncontrolability develop?
as a function of upbringing and other disruptive/traumatic environmental factors
Define anxiety sensitivity
- Tendency to respond fearfully to anxiety symptoms
2. Good predictor of who will/won’t experience anxiety under certain circumstances
Define some panic risks
- More emphasis on interplay between cognition and conditioning
- Conditioned stimuli can invoke fear response, even when there is nothing to be afraid of
What are some social contributions that can caused anxiety?
i. Stressful life events trigger our vulnerabilities to anxiety
ii. The same stressors can provoke later anxiety
Define the triple vulnerability theory
i. Generalized biological vulnerability
1. Eg. Tendency to be uptight and high strung
ii. Generalized psychological vulnerability
1. Eg. Growing up believing the world is a dangerous place and out of your control
iii. Specific psychological vulnerability
1. Being taught by someone else that something is dangerous
What is the disorder that gets the highest amount of comorbidity to anxiety?
Depression
What is the clinical description of GAD?
i. At least six months of excessive anxiety or worry
ii. Must be ongoing more days than not
iii. Must be difficult to control
iv. Physical symptoms
1. Muscle tension, mental agitation, fatigue
What % of pop. meet GAD criteria, what amount are female, and it what age range is it most likely to be found?
i. 1% of CAD pop meet GAD criteria
ii. 2/3 are female
iii. Most common in the over 45 category
what are two causes of GAD?
i. Genetics, Inherit a tendency to be anxious
ii. Chronic muscle tension is always found in GAD patients
What are four distinctive cognitive characteristics of GAD?
- Intolerance of uncertainty
- Positive beliefs about worry
- Poor problem orientation
- Cognitive avoidance
a. Prevents them from working through a problem
What treatment is best for the short term/ long term for GAD?
Short term: Medication
Long term:
Psychological treatment, CBT
Define CBT
a. Cognitive behavioural treatment: very effective for GAD
