Unit 6b

Question 1

Anxiety

Answer 1

diffuse, vague feelings of fear + apprehension
- becomes problem when it is irrational, uncontrollable, &/or disruptive

Question 2

Phobia

Answer 2

intense, irrational fear of a specific thing that interferes w/ normal behavior; may develop thru classical conditioning

Question 3

Anxiety disorder

Answer 3

set of disorders in which the normal anxiety response is inappropriately provoked by homeostatic imbalance

Question 4

Possible PHYSIOLOGICAL causes of anxiety

Answer 4

assoc. w/ ↓ low lvls of GABA (primary inhibitory neurotransm. in brain)

Role of amygdala- limbic system component that cntrls the fear response + processes fear-related memories & stimulus salience

Question 5

Treatment for Anxiety

Answer 5

Psychotherapy - CBT

Medications
- antidepressants
-anti-anxiety medications
- Beta-blockers

Question 6

Antidepressants (treatment for anxiety)

Answer 6

seems to be effective in many disorders in addition to depression
- many now view anxiety & depression as spectrum of disorders

ex: SSRIs, NSRIs, MAOIs

Question 7

Anti-anxiety medication (AKA anxiolytics)

Answer 7

produce short-acting reduction in anxiety

ex: Xanax, Valium, Ativan

Question 8

Beta-blockers

Answer 8

used to stop physical symptoms

ex: cardiovascular medication use to slow heart rate)

Question 9

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Answer 9

-GAD
-OCD
-Panic disorder
-PTSD

Question 10

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Answer 10

characterized by chronic anxiety, worry, & tension independent of external cause for at least 6 months

Patients anticipate disaster + are overly concerned abt health issues, money, family problems, & or difficulties at work

Physical symptoms often present, including: headaches, stomachaches, muscles tension/trembling, irritability

Possible causes: genetics assoc. w/ childhood trauma & resulting hypervigilance

Question 11

OCD

Answer 11

anxiety disorder most commonly characterized by obsessive, distressing, intrusive thought & related compulsions which attempt to neutralize obsessions

Possible causes: Caudate nucleus- component of basal ganglia assoc. w/ initiation of learned, habitual motor activities; elevated activity is seen here in OCD
- serotonin may reduce caudate nucleus activity, which is why SSRIs may help w/ OCD

Additional treatment option: Deep brain stimulation (in addition to treatment for anxiety in general)

Question 12

Obsession

Answer 12

irrational, disturbing thoughts that intrude into consciousness

Question 12

Compulsion

Answer 12

irresistible, repetitive actions performed to alleviate obsessions

Question 13

Panic disorder

Answer 13

disorder characterized by recurring panic attacks (feelings of helpless terror w/ high physical arousal) & fear of having them

Symptoms: palpitations, sweating/trembling, shaking, chest pain/feeling of chocking, nausea/dizziness, fear of losing control/dying

Patients may attempt to self-treat w/ nicotine/alcohol (these actually incr ^ risk of attack)

Possible causes: genetic + environment; initial stressful event, possible imbalance in amygdala/limbic system, possible history of stimulant use

Question 14

Agoraphobia

Answer 14

anxiety disorder assoc. w/ panic disorder defined as morbid fear of having panic attack or symptoms in a situation f/ which it is perceived to be difficult (or embarrassing) to escape
- these situations can include (not limited to ): wide open spaces, crowds, uncontrolled social conditions

As a result, sufferers may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places

Question 15

PSTD

Answer 15

anxiety disorder in which patients have nightmares, flashbacks, incr. arousal (sleeplessness, hyper vigilance), depression, irritability, & avoidance of stimuli assoc. w/ traumatic event

Possible causes
- alterations in baseline stress hormone lvls (cortisol); initial diff. in baseline cortisol lvls may predispose indiv. to PTSD
- anatomical/func. diff in amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex
- possibly maladaptive learning pathway to fear response they a hypersensitive, hyper-reactive, hyper-responsive HYPOTHALAMUS PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS (part of neuroendocrine system; controls reactions to stress + regulates body process incl. mood & emotion)

Question 16

Complex PTSD

Answer 16

new diagnosis; describes PTSD symptoms that arise f/ extended period of mild/moderate stress
- rather than f/ 1 very high stress event typ assoc. w/ PTSD