Chapter 5 - Anxiety Illnesses DSM Flashcards
Difference between fear & anxiety
Anxiety is the unpleasant feeling of fear. Fear is a basic emotion, involves activation of fight or flight
What is chronic anxiety
When someone perceives threats everywhere, causing stress in their and others’ lives. In turn, this causes impairment in daily life
What are Specific Phobias?
Fear/ avoidance of specific objects or situations that do not present any real danger
What is the prevalence of Specific Phobias?
18.4%
What is SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder)
Fear/ avoidance of social situations due to the possibility of negative evaluations by others
What are the BIOLOGICAL theories associated with Specific Phobias & SAD?
(1) Greater activity in the amygdala
(2) Traits of shyness and inhibition
What are the PSYCHOANALYTIC theories associated with Specific Phobias & SAD?
(1) Phobias as a defence against anxiety, produced by repressed id impulses
(2) Displaced anxiety from feared id onto object/ situation
(3) Avoidance of object/situation to avoid dealing w/ repressed conflicts
What are the BEHAVIOURAL theories associated with Specific Phobias & SAD?
(1) Avoidance Conditioning (see chart in slides)
(2) Modelling: learn fear through imitation of others’ reaction
(3) Prepared learning: Instinctual fear
(4) Social Skill Deficit in SAD: commits social faux pas
What are the COGNITIVE theories associated with Specific Phobias & SAD?
Post-event Processing of negative social experiences (rumination of neg past experiences w/ ppl)
What are the treatments for Specific Phobias?
(1) Flooding: Client exposed to phobia source at full intensity (last resort)
(2) Systematic Desensitization: Exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli w/ engagement in a hierarchical manner. With relaxation techniques
(3) In-Vivo Exposure Treatment: Direct exposure to feared stimulus/ situation in real-life situations, gradual. No relaxation techniques
(4) VR Exposure
What are the treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder
(1) Cognitive Restructuring
(2) Social Skill Training: Role-play
What is Panic Disorder?
Recurrent panic attacks
What are the symptoms associated with panic attacks?
Trembling, nausea, feeling of choking, dizziness, heart palpitations
Depersonalization: out of body experience
Derealisation: feeling like the world is not real, going crazy
Often, Panic Disorder is combined with another illness. What is it?
Agoraphobia: Fear of public places + being unable to escape
What are the BIOLOGICAL theories associated w/ Panic Disorder?
(1) Some physical conditions w/ similar symptoms
(2) Genetic factors: runs in family (increased risk of 5-16%), greater concordance for identical twins
What are the PSYCHOANALYTIC theories associated w/ Panic Disorder?
Fear of Fear (misinterpretation of symptoms)
What are the treatments associated with Panic Disorder?
Panic-Control Therapy:
(1) Relaxation training
(2) CBT
(3) Exposure to the internal cues that trigger panic (interoceptive exposure)
What is GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
Persistent, uncontrollable worry about often minor things. Frequent worries of health & hassles of daily life. Diff cocentrating, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension
What is the prevalence rate of GAD?
9%
What illnesses are GAD comorbid with?
Mood Disorders
What are the BIOLOGICAL theories associated w/ GAD?
(1) Issues w/ GABA receptors
(2) limbic system
(3) increased grey matter in amygdala
(4) reduced fronto-limbic structural connectivity
What are the PSYCHOANALYTIC theories associated w/ GAD?
(1) unconscious conflict between ego & id impulses. Source of anxiety is unconscious. Overly punitive super ego
(2) Learning theory: Anxiety regarded as classically conditioned to external stimuli w/ broader range of conditioned stimuli
(3) Cognitive Theory: Model focuses on control and helplessness
(4) Approach-Avoidance Conflicts in GAD: Intolerance of uncertainty and fear of anxiety
What are the diff types of “worry”?
(1) Real problem worries: abt actual problems that are affecting you rn
(2) Hypothetical worries: abt things that do not currently exist but might happen in the future
What is the role of Worry as a negative reinforcement in GAD?
Distraction from negative emotions, does not produce much emotional/ physiological arousal. Positive/ negative beliefs about worry
What are the treatments for GAD
Mindfulness & Acceptance Based:
Goal is to become more open & accepting of anxious thoughts and feelings rather than to avoid/ change them. Lovingkindness is a type of meditation often used in the programs (being kind to ourselves and extending that kindness to others)
What is Separation Anxiety?
Worry of losing contact/ proximity with other people. Generally significant other.
What is the prevalence of Separation Anxiety
8.7%
What is Selective Mutism?
Failure to speak in certain social situations (school), but fine in other situations (home)
