Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma, and Stressor-Related Disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, and stressor-related disorders, useful for exam preparation.

Anxiety

A feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness, often accompanied by physiological symptoms such as sweating and a rapid heartbeat.

Fight-or-Flight Response

A set of physical and psychological responses to perceived threats that involves activation of the autonomic nervous system and adrenal-cortical system.

Cortisol

A stress hormone released by the adrenal glands during the fight-or-flight response.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A condition characterized by persistent, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, often accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness and irritability.

Panic Disorder

A disorder characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having more attacks.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder involving recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety.

Hoarding

Accumulation of items leading to clutter and congestion in living areas, often with poor insight.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, resulting in symptoms of reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

Acute Stress Disorder

A condition with symptoms similar to PTSD that arises within one month of exposure to a traumatic stressor, lasting no longer than four weeks.

Social Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of social situations, often leading to avoidance due to fear of rejection or humiliation.

Specific Phobias

Irrational fears of specific objects or situations that lead to avoidance or intense fear when confronted.

Agoraphobia

Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in case of anxiety symptoms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments

Therapeutic interventions that focus on changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors associated with anxiety disorders.

Exposure and Response Prevention

A cognitive-behavioral technique used in treating OCD that involves exposing the client to their obsessions while preventing the compulsive response.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and alertness, often dysregulated in individuals with panic disorders.

Anxiety Sensitivity

A fear of anxiety-related sensations that contributes to the development of panic disorders.

Interoceptive Awareness

Heightened awareness of bodily cues that may signal an incoming panic attack, often contributing to panic symptoms.

Metacognition of Worry

Beliefs about worry and its perceived positive and negative effects, influencing how one approaches anxiety.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

A neurotransmitter that helps regulate neuronal excitability controlling anxiety; a deficiency may contribute to GAD.