Chapter 5: Anxiety

Question 1

What are the two types of pain attacks in the DSM-5? (2)

Answer 1

-expected (cued) panic attack
-unexpected (uncued) panic attack

Question 2

What is the difference between anxiety, fear and panic? (3)

Answer 2

Anxiety: future worries
Fear: present concerns
Panic: abrupt experience of intense fear

Question 3

What is an expected (cued) panic attack? Use an example.

Answer 3

-I am afraid of spiders and saw a spider and so had a panic attack

Question 4

What is an unexpected (uncued) panic attack?

Answer 4

-when you don’t know what caused the attack

Question 5

What three biological contributions are associated with anxiey? (3)

Answer 5

-specific brain circuits
-neurotransmitter systems (decreased GABA for example)
-corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)

Question 6

What does the behavioural inhibition system do in simple terms?

Answer 6

-fight/flight system

Question 7

What are three psychological contributions of anxiety? (3)

Answer 7

-childhood
-personality traits
-conditioned to be overly fearful (more of a behaviouralist view)

Question 8

What is one social contributions to anxiety?

Answer 8

-stressful life events

Question 9

What is the triple vulnerability theory which under the integrated model umbrella for anxiety?

Answer 9

-people have vulnerability in three sectors: biological, psychological, and social factors, as well as specific psychological which all contribute to anxiety

Question 10

What are some specific psychological vulnerabilities for anxiety?

Answer 10

-hypochondriac

Question 11

Define comorbidity.

Answer 11

-occurrence of two or more disorders in a single person

Question 12

Does anxiety precede and co-occur with physical disorders?

Answer 12

-yes

Question 13

What percentage of panic disorder patients attempt suicide? Who is this comparable to? (2)

Answer 13

-20%
-depression

Question 14

What are the general symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder? (3)

Answer 14

-uncontrollable and unproductive worrying about every events
-feeling impending catastrophe (even during good moments)
-inability to stop the worry-anxiety cycles

Question 15

What are the physical symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer 15

-muscle tension, mental agitation, fatigue

Question 16

What percent of Canadians meet the criteria for a generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer 16

-3%

Question 17

What are the four cognitive characteristics of generalized anxiety disorder? (4)

Answer 17

-intolerance of uncertainty
-believing that worry is effective for promoting positive outcomes
-problems in life are seen as threats to avoid, not challenges to face
-cognitive avoidance

Question 18

What are the two treatments discussed for generalized anxiety disorder? (2)

Answer 18

-drugs such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants
-cognitive-behavioural treatment

Question 19

Define panic disorder.

Answer 19

-sensation of dying or of losing control, having panic attacks

Question 20

Define agoraphobia?

Answer 20

-fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available if something goes

Question 21

What behaviours showcase the development of agoraphobia?

Answer 21

-avoidant behaviours displayed, removing self from situations/activities leading to arousal

Question 22

What are cultural influences for panic disorder?

Answer 22

-highest in white Americans and lowest in asian americans

Question 23

What is nocturnal panic?

Answer 23

-panic attacks occur between 1:30 AM - 3:30 AM during delta sleep

Question 24

When does agoraphobia often develop?

Answer 24

-after a person has unexpected panic attacks

Question 25

What are three causes for panic disorder? (3)

Answer 25

-genetic vulnerability to stress
-learned alarms
-people with panic disorder develop anxiety over possibility of another panic attack

Question 26

What are learned alarms?

Answer 26

-certain sensations, thoughts, or situations become triggers for panic or anxiety based on past experiences

Question 27

What are the medical treatments for panic disorder and agoraphobia?

Answer 27

-benzodiazepines, SSRIs and SNRIs

Question 28

What psychological intervention is used for panic disorder and agoraphobia?

Answer 28

-panic control treatment

Question 29

Define a specific phobia?

Answer 29

-an irrational fear of a specific object or situation that markedly interferes with an individual’s ability to function

Question 30

What are two treatment methods for specific phobia? (2)

Answer 30

-exposure-based exercise
-VR exposure

Question 31

What is separation anxiety disorder?

Answer 31

-child’s unrealistic and persistent worry something will happen to parents or other important people

Question 32

What is social anxiety disorder defined as?

Answer 32

-more than exaggerated shyness, fear of being judged