exam 2 chapter 9

Question 1

anxiety

Answer 1

most common mental health concern in the US; costly and compromising for the individual and nation; includes a range of specific disorders; about 34% prevalence in the US

Question 2

cognitive model

Answer 2

involved with examining how a person gets consumed with unwanted thoughts (preoccupations); often deviate from reality (“cognitive biases,” i.e. attentional)

Question 3

cognitive-behavioral model

Answer 3

a “reciprocal relationship” between aspects of psychological functioning; integration of two schools of thought: (1) how we process anxiety-provoking stimuli, (2) how we behave in its presence (i.e. escape and avoid)

Question 4

social cognitive theory (Bandura)

Answer 4

information learned through reciprocal interaction between individuals (fear may be learned through observation of others)

Question 5

biological models of anxiety (4)

Answer 5

amygdala: threat detection; part of a broader “fear circuit”
“defensive survival circuit”: subcortical regions, including amygdala, that unconsciously mediate activation of the ANS (“fight or flight” response)
cognitive circuit: mediates emotional experience of fear and includes cortical regions
cortisol release

Question 6

brain insular cortex

Answer 6

functions as a cortical hub involved in interoception, multimodal sensory processing, autonomic control, perceptual self-awareness, and emotional guidance of social behavior

Question 7

evolutionary model (vulnerability-stress model)

Answer 7

susceptibility to excessive fear caused by hereditary trait (more likely to experience symptoms of disorder); could have evolved as a response to threats

Question 8

separation anxiety disorder

Answer 8

developmentally inappropriate fear of being separated from important others; fear of harm for other or that they will not return; more common in children; more common in women than men; 1.2% 12-month prevalence

Question 9

selective mutism

Answer 9

failure to speak in situations where one is expected to do so; functional interference that lasts one month or more; age of onset usually 2-5 years; more common in females; may be setting-dependent

Question 10

specific phobia

Answer 10

fear of a specific situation or object (excessive fear); 12% 12-month prevalence; mean age of onset = 7 years; more common in women than men

Question 11

social anxiety disorder

Answer 11

fear and avoidance of social situations specifically because of fear of negative evaluation or humiliation; 7% 12-month prevalence; onset in childhood or adolescence; more common in women than men

Question 12

12-month prevalence vs point prevalence

Answer 12

12-month: the proportion of the population that has the disorder at any point during a 12-month interval
point prevalence: the proportion of a population that has the disorder at a specific point in time

Question 13

panic disorder

Answer 13

sudden onset of psychological symptoms (i.e. rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, derealization) that peaks within minutes; recurrent and following a panic attack, etc.; 2.4% 12-month prevalence; more common in women in men; onset often in adulthood

Question 14

agoraphobia

Answer 14

fear of situations in which a person may not be able to escape embarrassing or panic-like physiological symptoms; person avoids public places, only goes with a close other, or endures with high anxiety; 2% 12-month prevalence; onset in young adulthood; more common in women than men

Question 15

generalized anxiety disorder (ICD: “free-floating anxiety”)

Answer 15

excessive worry about multiple themes for more days than not for at least 6 months, along with related physical symptoms (i.e. muscle tension); 4% lifetime prevalence; more common in women than men

Question 16

obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer 16

obsessions are repetitive, intrusive thoughts, doubts, ideas, or images that cause distress; compulsions are repetitive, ritualistic behaviors and thoughts that, at least temporarily, reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions (at least one hour per day); 1.2% 12-month prevalence; usually begins in early 20s

Question 17

body dysmorphic disorder

Answer 17

preoccupation by perceived physical flaws that are minor or not visible to others; engagement in associated repetitive behaviors (i.e. checking mirrors); can rule out eating disorder; mean age of onset is 16; 2% point prevalence

Question 18

hoarding disorder

Answer 18

significant difficulty in disposing of items, resulting in tremendous clutter, compromising living space; thoughts of throwing something out results in significant distress; 2-6% point prevalence

Question 19

body-focused repetitive behavior

Answer 19

compulsive urges to pick, pull, or bite skin, hair, or nails; criteria includes visible damage and failed attempts to stop; onset early adolescence through adulthood; 1-2% prevalence

Question 20

hypochondriasis

Answer 20

preoccupation with having or developing a significant illness or disease, resulting in anxiety that is out of proportions with available information; frequent trips to the medical office; more common in women than men; average age of onset in mid-50s

Question 21

olfactory reference disorder

Answer 21

preoccupation with false belief that one emits a foul odor; self-conscious, checking, avoiding social situations; 1-2% prevalence

Question 22

cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT_

Answer 22

solid research support for children, adolescents, adults; common goal to alter “cognitive distortions;” includes “manualized interventions”

Question 23

cognitive picture rehearsal (Groden)

Answer 23

a way of priming coping behavior, in anticipation of the occurrence of noxious circumstances

Question 24

exposure therapy/exposure and response prevention

Answer 24

effective for specific phobia; develop a hierarchy of stressful stimuli that are approached in clinic and as homework; stimuli may be in vivo, imaginal, virtual, or real; ratings guide rate of progress

Question 25

acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Answer 25

evidence of effectiveness modest, but may be a good adjunct to CBT; mindfulness, altering one’s views, including judgment and values, accepting one’s emotions (even the distressing ones)