panic disorder

Question 1

characterised by repeated panic or anxiety attacks =

Answer 1

panic disorder

Question 2

discrete period where there is sudden intense fearfulness =

Answer 2

panic attack

Question 3

what are symptoms of panic disorder?

Answer 3

breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, trembling, nausea, choking feeling, chest pain

Question 4

what are the 2 types of panic attacks?

Answer 4

unexpected and situationally bound

Question 5

why was the DSM-5 updated to distinguish panic and social anxiety disorder as 2 separate disorders?

Answer 5

it was found that SAD with panic attacks responded to different treatment compared to SAD without panic attacks

Question 6

what is an example of modified behaviour in a person with panic disorder?

Answer 6

stay inside the house to avoid having panic attacks outside

Question 7

panic attacks should be _________ and _________ in which the person can’t identify a particular stimulus/situation that causes them

Answer 7

spontaneous, unpredictable

Question 8

list the different theories of aetiology for panic disorder

Answer 8

biological theories, hyperventilation, cognitive model

Question 9

what biological theory is linked to anxiety sensitivity in panic disorder?

Answer 9

overactive fight-flight response

Question 10

if a person with panic disorder is more aroused than relaxed what is more easily triggered?

Answer 10

their SNS

Question 11

fear of anxiety symptoms are based on what belief?

Answer 11

that the symptoms known to happen have harmful consequences e.g. fear of heart attack or other serious medical problem

Question 12

dysfunctional breathing patterns may trigger a series of autonomic reactions that lead to a full blown heart attack =

Answer 12

hyperventilation

Question 13

describe the cyclical process of hyperventilation

Answer 13

hyperventilation > lowered CO2 pressure > excess CO2 removed > changes blood pH > oxygen delivered less efficiently to cells > cardiovascular changes > symptoms of panic attack > apprehension/fear > hyperventilation

Question 14

give examples of how stimuli can be internal or external

Answer 14

internal = thoughts, body sensations, external = crowded supermarket

Question 15

what is the main causal feature of panic disorder?

Answer 15

bodily reactions to stimulus are interpreted in a catastrophic way e.g. increase in HR seen as incoming heart attack

Question 16

what drugs are used to treat panic disorder?

Answer 16

same as GAD (benzos, b-blockers, SSRIs)

Question 17

describe the process of CBT used to treat panic disorder

Answer 17

identify trigger of panic attack (using structured interviews) > work to restructure the maladaptive beliefs > challenge the clients beliefs > prevent safety behaviours > introduce behavioural experiments

Question 18

what ways would the therapist challenge some of the clients beliefs?

Answer 18

teach about fight-flight response, help understand the reasons for their symptoms, help client realise symptoms are not a sign of serious harm (natural body response to anxiety)