Chpater 5 part 2

Question 1

Define panic disorder

Answer 1

severe unexpected panic attacks

Question 2

Define agoraphobia

Answer 2

1. Fear or avoidance of situations where a person feels unsafe or unable to escape

Question 3

Clinical description of a panic disorder

Answer 3

1. Must experience panic attack

2. Develop substantial anxiety over the possibility of developing another panic attack

Question 4

Clinical description of agoraphobia

Answer 4

1. A complication of severe panic attacks, and a desire to be in a safe place if one happens again
2. However, someone who hasn’t had a panic attack in years is still able to maintain the agoraphobia
3. Cluster of avoidant behaviours are usually present

Question 5

when does the first panic attack normally occur?

Answer 5

around puberty

Question 6

why is reporting higher for women than men for panic attacks?

Answer 6

1. Women report fear, men medicate or repress

Question 7

Define nocturnal panic

Answer 7

i. Panic attacks early morning hours

ii. Occur during delta wave/ slow wave sleep (EEG)

Question 8

What is the probable cause of nocturnal panic

Answer 8

1. Change in sleep stages produces physical sensations that are frightening to the individual

Question 9

Define isolated sleep paralysis

Answer 9

1. The inability to move after waking up

2. Probably caused by REM spillover

Question 10

What are some causes of Panic disorders/ Agoraphobia?

Answer 10

i. Genetic vulnerability to stress
ii. Learned alarms
iii. Susceptible to developing anxiety over the possibility of another attack

Question 11

Define learned alarms

Answer 11

1. Cues become associated with several different internal and external stimuli though learning process

Question 12

What are medication options for panic attacks?

Answer 12

Benzodiazepines

a. Include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
b. Can cause dependency tho

Question 13

What is the main psychological intervention for panic disorders?

Answer 13

Panic Control Treatment (PCT)

a. Creation of “mini” panic attacks in controlled setting
b. Then basic attitudes and perceptions are modified
c. HIGHLY effective

Question 14

what is the prognosis on adding both medication and psychological treatment together for panic disorders

Answer 14

1. Over the long term, there is a slight advantage to combining both as opposed to just one treatment
2. Also, adding CBT to someone on meds saw improvement