Cognitive Models of Anxiety Flashcards
Give 3 types of anxiety disorder
- phobia
- panic disorder
- generalised anxiety disorder
What is an anxiety disorder
excessive state of apprehension and fear that is out of proportion to threat posed.
disrupts everyday life
What are 3 features of anxiety disorders
- panic attacks, uncontrollable thoughts
- physical - muscle tension, perspiring
- cognitive - apprehension, worrying,
What is a phobia
fear avoidance that is out of proportion to the object or situation
What are 2 types of phobia
- specific - due to presence of object or fear e.g blood, spider, height
- social - fear linked to presence or evaluation by people
What is the cognitive aetiology of phobias
Thought processes produce high levels of anxiety
Ambiguous information is thought of as threatening
How are phobias treated using the cognitive model
Cognitive restructuring - replace negative biases and negative self evaluations
What is panic disorder
recurrent panic attacks
worry about having more panic attacks
What is the cognitive etiology of panic disorder
Misinterpret bodily sensations which increases anxiety and causes a vicious cycle
What is cognitive treatment for panic disorder
CBT - breathing techniques to stop hyperventilation
Cognitive restructuring - challenge faulty perceptions.
Interoceptive exposure - reduce fear of harmless bodily sensations
What is generalised anxiety disorder
physical symptoms of anxiety, worrying is uncontrollable, is catastrophised,
What is the cognitive aetiology of GAD
Informational processing biases - biases in interpreting information that maintains their hyper-vigilance for threat
Worrying serves a function that outweighs the negative effects. Distracts from negative emotions
What are treatments for GAD
CBT
What is OCD
obsessions - intrusive reoccurring thoughts that are disturbing and uncontrollable
compulsions - repeating behaviours or mental actions
What are 3 examples of compulsions
- washing
- checking
- arranging objects
What is the cognitive aetiology of OCD
less attention is focused on real events so reduces confidence in memory. thought suppression leads to preoccupation
What is CBT
Changes thoughts and behaviour
Involves identifying and challenging irrational thoughts, homework to test thoughts, trained in new ways of thinking
What is the cognitive treatment of OCD
Cognitive Therapy - Challenge dysfunctional beliefs about anticipated consequences
What is PTSD
Extreme response to a severe stressor e.g increased anxiety and avoidance of stimuli
What is a cognitive treatment for PTSD
Cognitive Restructuring - replace intrusive negative thoughts and challenge dysfunctional thoughts due to negative triad
What is the cognitive aetiology of PTSD
A trauma memory becomes associated with situational skills
Fear memories activate fear in the brain
